Columbia City in Whitley County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Whitley County Korean War Memorial
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, October 13, 2008
1. Whitley County Korean War Memorial Marker
Korean War Memorial
Dedicated to all Who Served
1950 - 1953
We Remember
By: M. Garvey
Those we left there is the cold
We remember We remember
Have no fears of growing old
oh do we remember
Those who fell in prison yards
We remember We remember
Savage weather Savage guards
Oh do we remember
Those who died face down in mud
We remember We remember
Asian soil Yankee blood
Oh do we remember
Those whose name we can’t forget
We remember We remember
Comrade spirits with us yet
Oh do we remember
Heartbreak Ridge and Pork Chop Hill
We remember We remember
If we don’t honor them who will
Oh do we remember
Those who died when far too young
We remember We remember
It is for them this song is sung
Oh do we remember
Whitley County
(on the Memorial base):
Killed In Action
David J. Debolt 01/28/1951 • William G. Joy 11/24/1950 • Glen G. Kemery 09/25/1951 • Gene R. Ruby 11/30/1950 • John R. Wasson 06/25/1953
Erected by Korean War Awareness Committee of Whitley County.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 41° 9.411′ N, 85° 29.332′ W. Marker is in Columbia City, Indiana, in Whitley County. Memorial is on West Van Buren Street (Business State Road 30) west of South Main Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbia City IN 46725, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Whitley County (a few steps from this marker); Whitley County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Whitley County Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Riley Marshall (within shouting distance of this marker); Ralph F. Gates (within shouting distance of this marker); Valiant Men and Women of Whitley County (within shouting distance of this marker); Whitley County Vietnam Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Ohki Alley (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia City.
More about this memorial. On the Memorial's left wing are two pictures. One depicts Marines scaling the wall at the "Inchon Landing." The other is of three soldiers,
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, October 13, 2008
2. Top - - Whitley County Korean War Memorial Marker
On the the Memorial's right wing are two other pictures. The top depicts the Breakout from the Chosin Reservoir. The lower picture is of a a U.S. Army nurse comforting a wounded American, "They touched many lives."
Regarding Whitley County Korean War Memorial. Eighteen Whitley County Korean War veterans formed the "Korean War Awareness Committee of Whitley County". The memorial was designed by Gerald O. Boyd, a Korean War Veteran, who was also a member of the Committee.
The fine effort and hard work of the Korean War Awareness Committee, coupled with many community activities and fund raising, they were able to dedicate this Korean War Memorial - and - establish a perpetual Vocational Scholarship for local Senior High School students.
Additional commentary.
1. Memorial Unveiled and Dedicated - Memorial Day 2002
Source: “Post & Mail” newspaper May 28, 2002
The monument was unveiled by Mrs. Gladys Ruby, mother of Gene R. Ruby, one of the five men killed in action. Flags and medals were then given to surviving members of the men’s families.
John Slabaugh, a member of the Korean War Community Awareness committee of Whitley County, then put
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, October 13, 2008
3. Middle -- Whitley County Korean War Memorial Marker
The poem, “We Remember," written by Korean War veteran M. Garvey, is etched on the monument.
Col. Perry Collins, vice commander of the 122 Fighter Wing, stationed at Fort Wayne International Airport, was the featured speaker.
— Submitted October 29, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.
2. Memorial's "Real Photographs".....
The Korean War monument includes four pictures copied from four “true photographs” from the Korean War.
The Inchon Landing:
The landing was planned by Gen. Douglas MacArthur to cut the road and rail supply lines of the North Korean Peoples Army (NKPA). The plan was to land the U.S.M.C. (United States Marine Corps) At the port city of Inchon some 165 miles behind enemy lines.
On Sept. 15, 1950 the Marines stormed ashore and engaged between 30,000 to 40,000 entrenched enemy. In only 32 minutes after the landing the Marines planted their flag on the highest hill in the area. Cost of the action was 536 Navy and Marines dead, 2,500 wounded and 65 missing.
The Marine leading his men over the top in the picture is 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez. Lopez earned a posthumous Medal of Honor after
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, October 13, 2008
4. Left Wing - - Whitley County Korean War Memorial Marker
The landing achieved everything it set out to do. The North Koreans were now in full retreat. By Thanksgiving, United Nation troops were in sight of the Yalu River, the boundary of North Korea and China.
Chosin Reservoir Breakout:
During the evening of Nov. 27, 1950, a Chinese Army of more than 60,000 crossed the Yalu River in wave after wave.
During the attack, the U.S. Army’s 31st Regimental Combat Team of the 7th Infantry was decimated attempting to relieve the 5th Marine Regiment dug in East of the reservoir.
Of the 3,200 man task force, 2,657 were killed in action and 354 wounded. For five days and night the Marines fought back wave after wave of assult.
The Marines then reorganized, broke through the encirclement and began a 35 mile battle south to a relief point. At one point, 5,381 of the most critically wounded Marines, including Gerald Boyd, were flown out of the area. The rest made the 35 mile march through bitterly cold weather - dipping below zero at night. On Dec. 9, 1950 12,000 Marines reached the relief point.
U.S. Army Nurse:
This picture symbolizes the more than 120,000 Nurses on active duty during the Korean War era. When MacArthur landed at Inchon, Army Nurse Corps Officers also came ashore on the same day of the invasion.
The
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, October 13, 2008
5. Base - - Whitley County Korean War Memorial Marker
In addition to the nurses actually in Korea, many women served at support units nearby in Japan and other far Eastern Countries.
Soldier Comforting Comrade:
This picture symbolizes the thousands of grief stricken infantrymen, whose buddies where killed, being comforted by a comrade. A total of 33,651 Americans were killed during the Korean War.
Source: A “Post & Mail” newspaper article by Staff Writer Charles Trump, published on May 11, 2002
— Submitted November 5, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, October 13, 2008
6. Right Wing - - Whitley County Korean War Memorial Marker
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, September 22, 2008
7. Back - - Whitley County Korean War Memorial Marker
Entitled - "America Forever"
The lower section is enscribed "Designed by a Korean Veteran - Gerald O. Boyd".
Eighteen Korean War Veterans worked hard together to bring this Korean War Memorial into reality.
The lower section is enscribed "Designed by a Korean Veteran - Gerald O. Boyd".
Eighteen Korean War Veterans worked hard together to bring this Korean War Memorial into reality.
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, October 5, 2008
8. Whitley County Court House at Columbia City, Indiana
The Korean War Memorial can be seen to the Left on the Court house lawn under the tree. (Click photo to see the details.)
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, May 27, 2002
9. Memorial Day 2002 - - Dedication and Unveiling
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, May 27, 2002
10. Whitley County Korean War Memorial - preunveiling
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, May 27, 2002
11. Memorial Unveiled by Mrs. Gladys Ruby
Mrs Gladys Ruby is the Mother of Gene R. Ruby, one of the five men killed in action.
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, May 27, 2002
12. Marine Honor Guard - from - Grissom Air Base of Peru, Indiana
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, May 27, 2002
13. Honors
Gladys M. Ruby receives a medal and flag from Capt. Daniel Baker at a ceremony Monday in Columbia City. The tributes were to her son, Gene Robert Ruby, who was killed in Korean War. The City dedicated its Korean War monument during Monday's ceremonies. (The Journal Gazette May 28, 2002.)
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, May 27, 2002
14. Honors to Other Families
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, May 27, 2002
15. Honors to Other Families
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, May 27, 2002
16. Honors to Other Families
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, May 27, 2002
17. After Dedication and Honors
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd
18. Many Months of Work from Commitment to Reality
The Post & Mail newspaper of February 13, 2001 is only an update to the public. The eighteen (18) dedicated Whitley County Korean Veterans were greeted with welcome arms and many fine donations.
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd
19. Whitley County Korean War - Community Awareness Committee
Seated L-R:: Jack Binkley, Charles Treece, Roger Treece, Anthony Treece, Jim Shaw, and Paul Gates. Standing L-R:: Donald York, Dick Schuman, Jack Schrader, Chester Ferrell, John Fries, Gerald O. Boyd, Dean Ramsey, John Slabaugh, Charles Pulley, and Donald Berkshire. Not available for picture:: Robert Cornmmesser, Alvin Freeman, and Frank Frey.
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, 2002
20. Dirt Removed Three Feet Deep for Memorial Foundation
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, 2002
21. Concrete Delivered and Finishing
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, 2002
22. After Concrete Cured - First Stone is Set.
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, 2002
23. Not Everything is Done by Machine.
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, 2002
24. Center Section - - Whitley County Korean War Memorial Marker
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd, 2002
25. Side Sections Placed - - Whitley County Korean War Memorial Marker
Photographed By Gerald O. Boyd
26. Extra Funds Did Build A Scholarship Fund.
The "Whitley County Community Foundation" Biennial Report of 2005 - 2006 reflected that the "Whitley County Korean War Veterans" presented the first "Korean War Scholarship" to Dane Peppler.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 4,619 times since then and 32 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week November 9, 2008. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 27, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. submitted on October 29, 2008, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
