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(Washington, DC – October 5, 2023) On October 26, the 106th birthday of the 2nd Infantry Division formed in France during WWI, dignitaries, veterans and the public will honor the fallen of the DMZ Conflict (1966-1969) in South Korea, also known as the Second Korean War. Over 36,000 American lives were lost in the Korean War. A planned modification to the 2ID Memorial located in President’s Park on the Mall in Washington, D.C. (entrance on 17th St at Constitution Ave) will be announced on site at 10:30AM by the 2ID Memorials Foundation (www.2IDMemorialsfoundation.org). The modification will also pay homage to those who lost their lives in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The project is led by Aves Thompson, who served in South Korea as a young man and later, stateside, served as President of the 2nd Indianhead (Infantry) Division Association, and chairs the 2ID Memorials Foundation. Thompson teamed up with William Winship, a DMZ veteran, a recipient of the Imjin Scout Commendation and whose Pulitzer Prize-nominated memoir, The Canadaigua Letters, chronicles the DMZ Conflict.
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and now deceased Congressman Don Young successfully crafted legislation for the modification, which was approved by Congress, a testament to the importance of and reliance on the very close bond between America and South Korea. Senator Murkowski said, “I’m proud to have worked with Aves Thompson to advance legislation, the Second Division Memorial Modification Act, which has now become law. Prior to my bill being enacted, modifications of Memorials were prohibited – even if the current Memorial excluded the recognition of service members who fought under America’s flag. This upcoming event will celebrate a minor but significant change to the Second Division Memorial, ensuring all the brave men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the Second Infantry Division of the United States army during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and those lives lost after the Korean Armistice was signed 70 years ago, are properly honored.”
The same week that North Vietnam launched its Tet Offensive—North Korea launched a parallel military offensive to attempt to behead the South Korean government (the Blue House Raid), foment an insurgency in the South and drive the Americans from the Korean Peninsula. At the same time the USS Pueblo was seized and its captain and crew were held captive. Joint forces of the 2nd Infantry Division and South Korean military provided defense and security along the DMZ, which allowed South Korea to build what is now a free and prosperous society and economy.
The United States and South Korea recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice. Both the American and Korean citizens today should recognize that the DMZ Conflict laid the foundation for the special alliance between the US and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) that remains today, as evidenced by the recent visit of President Yoon, hosted by President and Mrs. Biden at the White House. President Biden called the relationship “an unbreakable bond, forged in bravery and the sacrifice of our people.” President Yoon said that the alliance is one that stands for “freedom, peace and prosperity around the world.” The Korean War changed the course of modern history and provided the U.S. with a base to protect democracy against the tyranny in the region and its impact on the world.
Largely due to the strong and supportive relationship between our two countries, South Korea was able to transform from essentially being a third world country to becoming a technology and manufacturing giant with one of the strongest economic powers in the world today.
MG Lee and Aves Thompson
(Washington, DC) October 26, 2023 –With the 2ID Memorial as a backdrop, the announcement was made today that the 2nd Infantry Division Memorial will be modified to honor those brave warriors of the 2ID who lost their lives in the DMZ War, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The Monument was dedicated initially in 1936 “To our Dead” for the 2ID’s service in World War I, and rededicated in 1962 when two wings were added to the Memorial to honor the Division's Fallen in World War II and the Korean War.
The not-for-profit 2ID Memorials Foundation began their mission in 2014 to update the Memorial once again, to honor those brave 2ID warriors who lost their lives in subsequent battles during the DMZ Conflict (1966-1969), known as the Second Korean War, in Afghanistan Iraq. With Congressional approval of the 2ID Memorial Modification Act written by Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and now deceased Congressman Don Young, Aves Thompson, Chairman of the 2ID Memorials Foundation, announced and showed renderings of the modifications that will honor those who have not been honored before, but clearly should be. The modification project Thompson has spearheaded is anticipated to be completed and dedicated in Fall 2025 at a cost of $2.7 million. The project is being privately funded with needed donations being accepted at www.2idmemorialsfoundation.org .
Joining Thompson at the Memorial ceremony were Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Major General Lee, Kyung-koo, Defense Attache of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and former 2ID Commanding General Michael Tucker. LTG (ret) Tucker has served meritoriously in Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq and has witnessed first-hand the service and sacrifices our soldiers have made to the war on terrorism and their efforts to secure and protect freedom throughout the world. He was proud to say that his son is currently serving in Korea. The 2ID was the first division to arrive in Korea in 1950 and became the most decorated unit in the War. “The 2ID is the U.S. Army’s only combined division (with Republic of Korea units) and remains in South Korea today, proudly serving and ready to “Fight Tonight” against aggression. The Division leaders maintain their long-term maxim of working together with their Korean partners, ready to deter North Korean aggression. The 2ID stay true to their motto – Second to None.”
Major General Lee was proud to be in attendance to “commemorate the brave men and women who served in 2ID in Korea. He said he “salutes those who have helped and continue to remain in Korea to preserve freedom and the alliance, and the enduring friendship and camaraderie between our two nations. We can never truly repay the security the 2ID provides and we renew our commitment to the bravest, 2ID.”
Senator Murkowski said, “I am very proud to have played a very small part in how we honor 2ID service members. We seek to honor those who have served our country over the years, in Korea and in all wars since and those who continue to serve our country. The 2ID has a very storied history from France in WWI to the hills of Korea and beyond. We must make sure that the recognition they receive is permanent.”
Aves Thompson summarized, “We are here to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for freedom. We also salute the families of our fallen heroes.” He explained that two plinths will be added to the existing Monument, one dedicated to those 2ID men and women who lost their lives in the DMZ Conflict (the second Korean War), including those Korean soldiers assigned to the 2ID (very important and very dedicated KATUSA’s—Korean Augmentees to the US Army), and the other plinth added for those who died serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
The 2ID Memorial Monument is in President’s Park on the National Mall, on the corner of 17th Street, NW and Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC.
After bi-partisan Congressional approval of the modification, the Foundation worked with renowned architectural firm, Beyer Blinder Belle, to develop design options. Late in 2019, the Foundation received the necessary design concept approval from the National Park Service and other Federal oversight committees. The date October 26 was selected for this announcement as it marks the 106th birthday of the storied 2nd Infantry Division.
The 2nd Infantry Division joined forces with the South Korean military who fought and died side-by-side in the Korean War and the DMZ Conflict period. The same week that North Vietnam launched its Tet Offensive, North Korea launched a parallel military offensive to attempt to behead the South Korean government (the Blue House Raid), to foment an insurgency in the South and to drive the Americans from the Korean Peninsula. SImultaneously, the USS Pueblo was seized and its captain and crew were held captive.
The US-South Korea Joint Forces still exist, provide defense and security along the DMZ, and provide an impenetrable shield to ensure protection of South Korea against aggression, and to serve as the example to thwart tyranny anywhere in the region or globally for efforts that challenge freedom.
The United States and South Korea recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice. Both American and Korean citizens should continue to recognize that the DMZ Conflict period solidified the foundation for the special alliance between the US and the Republic of Korea. This alliance remains strong today, as evidenced by the recent visit of President Yoon, hosted by President and Mrs. Biden at the White House. President Biden called the relationship “an unbreakable bond, forged in bravery and the sacrifice of our people.” President Yoon said the alliance stands for “freedom, peace and prosperity around the world.”
Largely due to the strong and supportive relationship between our countries, enabled in part by the sustained role of the 2ID over decades and continuing today, South Korea transformed from a third world country to a technology and economic giant in the world, and a vital American ally.
