Near Neillsville in Clark County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Korean War Tribute

Dedicated to those who served

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

1. The Korean War Tribute

Inscription. We, the Korean Veterans Tribute Committee, designed this tribute to convey to you insight into the hardships and isolation experienced by our troops. The three bronze figures represent bitter cold, extreme heat and seemingly never ending monsoons. They rest on a platform in the shape of the Korean Peninsula – a reminder of the ongoing uneasy truce. The hillside is sculpted to resemble the terraced rice paddies in Korea.

The Korean War began as a civil conflict between communist North Korea and the Republic of Korea to the south. After failed attempts to create insurgencies in South Korea, North Korea troops crossed the 38th parallel, the border between the two nations, in the early hours of June 25, 1950 and invaded South Korea.

Shortly after this event, U.S. President Harry Truman, with the support of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, ordered General of the Army Douglas MacArthur to use whatever force was necessary to aid the South Koreans. This resolution marked the first time in the UN's short history that the use of force in answer to another country's aggression was authorized.

United Nations

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countries participating in the Korean War
United States ★ Republic of Korea ★Canada ★United Kingdom ★Turkey ★Australia ★France ★Philippines ★New Zealand ★Thailand ★Ethiopia ★Greece ★Columbia ★Belgium ★Luxembourg ★South Africa ★ Netherlands ★ Denmark ★ India ★ Italy ★ Norway ★ Sweden

---1950--- June • North Korea invades South Korea and captures the city of Seoul
July • Gen. Douglas MacArthur named commander of the United Nations Forces
Task Force Smith with 406 U.S. Soldiers arrive in Korea to delay the main advance of 5,000 Soldiers of the North Korean Peoples Army
August • Defense of Pusan Perimeter

---1950--- September • U.S. Inchon landing
UN troops complete recapture of Seoul
October • U.N. forces advance into North Korea across the 38th parallel
Chinese Communists troops cross Yalu River into Korea
UN forces capture Pyonyang, the North Korean capital

---1950--- November • First all-jet air combat in history near Sinuisu
Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Chinese forces entered

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

2. The Korean War Tribute

the war attacking in force near Unsan with 120,000 troops
General Douglas MacArthur's final "Home by Christmas" offensive begins
Breakout from Chosin Reservoir, Koto-re

---1951--- January • Communist forces oust United Nations forces, recapture Seoul
February • Battle of Chipyong-Ni
March • U.S. forces retake Seoul
April • President Truman appoints Gen Ridgeway as U.N. commander, replacing Gen MacArthur

---1951--- May • Americans first jet ace of the war
July • Truce talks begin
August • Battle of Bloody Ridge
September • Battle of Heartbreak Ridge
First helicopter deployment of a combat unit

---1952--- April • Cruiser Saint Paul engaged in gunfight
May • Raid on Agok
July • Battle for Old Baldy
August • War's largest air raid bombing, Pyongyang in 1,403 plane assault

---1952--- September • Largest all Navy raid. A total of 144 planes from three aircraft carriers destroy the oil refinery at Aoji
October • U.S. breaks off truce talks
Battle of the Hook
December • Battle of T-Bone Hill

---1953--- January • 270,000 Chinese and N. Korean troops man enemy lines
March • Heaviest Naval bombardment

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

3. The Korean War Tribute

of the war is directed at Kaesong
April • Battle of Pork Chop Hill
Truce talks resume

---1953--- July • Battle of Kumsong River Salient
Last Communist offensive
Final U.S. ground combat. Heavy enemy (3,000 men) attack is launched in the Berlin Complex ("Boulder City") area held by the 7th and 1st Marine Regiments. Last Marine ground actions of the war are fought on Hills 111 and 119. TF77 planes fly 538 offensive sorties and 62 defensive sorties, a record number for a single day

United States Military Branches Serving in Korea
United States Army • United States Air Force • United States Coast Guard • United States Navy • United States Marine Corps

As General Taylor told his troops, the cease-fire did not mean that the war was over; it was a "suspension of hostilities an interruption of the shooting." And so it remains today.
Representatives of the UN and the Korean People's Army continue to meet in the Joint Security Area nicknamed "Truce Village" at Panmunjon. There has never been a formal peace treaty. Thus an armistice designed to last 90 days has endured for over 50 years.

---1953--- July 27 • Armistice

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

4. The Korean War Tribute

signed
Last U.S. casualties: 5 GIs killed near Ansan, NK
September • Operation Big Switch: Last of 1,597 U.S. POWs released

Since the Civil War, we fought the bloodiest war of our history.
United Nations Forces Peak Strength: 1.2 million
United Nations Forces Casualties: 1.2 to 1.8 million
United States Forces Peak Strength: 480,000
Casualties:                36,574
Wounded:               103,284
Missing in Action:      4,578
Prisoners of War:        7,245

"Most people weren't even aware of where Korea was. They don't seem very concerned about it. You've got to remember that this is in the shadows of WWII.
Sometimes, it seems like the only guys who remember it are the guys who were there."
--- Joe Ohman

"After years of constant earsplitting noise, the cease fire suddenly came with an amazing silence."
--- Gary Corey, WI
"By the time I left the Pusan Perimeter, I had learned one lesson very well. War is not like the movies. In movies, guns never overheat. Ammunition never runs out."
--- Leroy Eaton, IN

Missing in Action
"It is one thing to die for your country. It has an ending. It is another to just disappear

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

5. The Korean War Tribute

from the face of the earth, leaving no trace of a life that held so much promise. To be forgotten as if his life did not matter. This is not right."
--- Dan O'Keefe

"While my tour of duty during the Conflict did not take me to Korea, I am proud to have served during that time, helping to ensure a world free from fear. I salute those men and women who did endure the fighting, the cold and miseries associated with it. I want to remember those who received wounds and those who gave their lives for the sake of a free world."
--- Bob Berglund, WI

"This tribute is all we can give to those who served in this unforgettable conflict and to those who gave their lives in payment for the freedom we enjoy today."
--- Allen Jensen, WI
"The Korean War: Forgotten Soldiers of a Forgotten War... no longer forgotten."
--- Martin J. O'Brien

Erected 2007 by the Korean Veterans Tribute Committee.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Korean. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman series list.

Location. 44° 33.936′ N, 90° 40.008′ W.

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

6. The Korean War Tribute

Memorial is near Neillsville, Wisconsin, in Clark County. It can be reached from Ridge Road 0.4 miles west of Clark Avenue. Marker is at The Highground – Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: W25757 Ridge Road, Neillsville WI 54456, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: National Native American Vietnam Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Kilroy Was Here (within shouting distance of this marker); Women Airforce Service Pilots Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Women Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Fragments (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clark County Moraines (approx.

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

7. The Korean War Tribute

0.4 miles away); The White Pine in Neillsville History (approx. 3.1 miles away); Neillsville Post Office (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Neillsville.

Regarding The Korean War Tribute. The tribute is comprised of three figures placed on a platform in the shape of Korea surrounded by water. The entire tribute rests within a circle defined by the symbol of yin and yang (☯), which can be seen from the satellite view when using the "Click for map" hotlink.

Additional keywords. Korean War Veterans Memorial

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

8. The Korean War Tribute

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

9. The Korean War Tribute

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

10. The Korean War Tribute

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

11. The Korean War Tribute

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

12. The Korean War Tribute

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

13. The Korean War Tribute

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

14. The Korean War Tribute

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

15. The Korean War Tribute

Bronze Figures

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

16. The Korean War Tribute

Hillside sculpted to resemble the terraced rice paddies in Korea.

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, July 18, 2014

17. The Korean War Tribute

Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. submitted on November 9, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.