Memorial Site
The Memorial
Hangul Inscription
Students
Mr. Park, Kyung Yun
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The KATUSA Memorial was dedicated early in June 1998, adjacent to The Tower of Hope, at Kapyong Comprehensive High School, Kapyong, Republic of Korea.
It was sponsored and paid for by the membership of The Association of 40th Infantry Division Korean War Veterans.
During the Korean War, Republic Of Korea Army soldiers (ROKA) were assigned to US Army units to augment the units manpower. The program was called " Korean Augmentation To United States Army ". The first letter of each word spells KATUSA.
The Memorial attests to the loyalty and strong friendship that existed between the South Korean and American soldiers who served side by side. It also commemorates their courage and the memory of the KATUSAs who died while serving with the Division.
The Tower of Hope commemorates the building of the school (fall 1952). During the Korean War, MG Joseph P. Cleland, Division Commander, United States Army 40th Infantry Division, initiated a plan to build a High School at Kapyong. The city had been virtually destroyed by the war. Children were attending classes in unheated tents. Funds for the school were raised by donations from the then members of the Division.
The school was named The Kenneth Kaiser High School in honor of SFC Kenneth J. Kaiser Jr., the first 40th Division soldier killed in action in Korea. SFC Kaiser was a member of the 160th Infantry Regiment, "Los Angeles Own".
Without the assistance of Mr. Park, Kyung-Yun, Seoul, Korea, the KATUSA MEMORIAL project could not have been completed. He supervised the project from it's inception through it's dedication.
The California National Guard (Army) 40th Division (Mechanized), which is presently commanded by MG Edmund C. Zysk, has maintained ties with the school for many, many years as has Mrs. Joseph P. Cleland, widow of MG Cleland.