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gray06 Nov-Dec 2009_Gray01_Jan-Feb 2005.qxd.qxd - Korean War ...

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this point this woman made a gung-ho Marine very humble. Tears<br />

actually came to my eyes.<br />

Many American civilians have thanked me over the years for serving<br />

my country, but Mrs. <strong>Jan</strong>g was the first <strong>Korean</strong> in 55 years to actually<br />

thank me. She took me totally by surprise. I have no doubt that she<br />

meant it. God Bless this woman and her family, as she is a great<br />

<strong>Korean</strong> Patriot.<br />

I have sent her son an email, personally thanking him and her for taking<br />

the time to acknowledge an American serviceman who served in a<br />

war to safeguard the future of her country.<br />

American <strong>War</strong> and Military Operations Casualties Statistics lists the<br />

following: there were 36,574 U.S. military personnel killed in the Korea<br />

<strong>War</strong>. Of these, 33,741 were battle related, and 2,833 resulted from<br />

other causes. There are still 8,000 young men missing. Also, there<br />

were over 100,000 Americans wounded in action.<br />

Chinese and North <strong>Korean</strong> casualty estimates are around<br />

2 to 3 million. We didn’t lose that war, but we sure gained<br />

an ally in Asia.<br />

I also met another <strong>Korean</strong> woman at the New York State<br />

Fair in September who was born and raised in South Korea.<br />

She was accompanied by her husband (DMZ ex-GI) and<br />

their 12-year-old son, who was born and raised in<br />

Connecticut. She also thanked me very much for saving her<br />

grandparents during the <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong>. She told me I must go<br />

back and visit Korea someday and see how much it has<br />

changed. She also thanked all Americans for their service.<br />

Just for the record, I served in the United States Marine<br />

Corps, 2nd Battalion, First Regiment. I arrived in Korea on<br />

October 4, 1952 with the 25th draft (rotated out on 10-15-<br />

53). I spent the first eight days at Bunker Hill and OP Hedy<br />

(OP Yellow).<br />

During my tour of duty I was a Fire-team leader, or our<br />

Platoon Leaders’ runner at Nevada Cites campaign, all with<br />

Dog Company. After that I was a “Deuce and a-half” truck<br />

driver who hauled ammo to the supporting artillery battalions<br />

(both Army and Mariner Corps) during the month of<br />

July in 1953.<br />

The artillery support was for Berlin, East Berlin, and Boulder City.<br />

Nicholas Champagne, 7614 Susan Drive, Syracuse, NY 13212,<br />

(315) 430-5078 (cell), normchamp@aol.com<br />

Not Forgotten but Victorious, This is What the<br />

<strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong> Was All About:<br />

A letter of appreciation<br />

This slightly edited email was addressed to many people in the KWVA.<br />

Our editorial staff thought every member would like to read it.<br />

From: choifromkorea@hotmail.com<br />

Date: Thu, 2 Jul <strong>2009</strong> 17:01:57 -0400<br />

Hello!<br />

Continued on page 61<br />

29<br />

The Graybeards<br />

<strong>Nov</strong>ember – <strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2009</strong>

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