They came from the rice paddies, the cities, the farms, the schools, the marketplaces, the two and three hut villages and from everyplace else in South Korea. More likely than not they had been conscripted to serve in the ROK Army.

The Republic of Korea was engaged in a battle to survive as a free nation. After a brief training period they were selected to serve in units of the US Army. They were assigned, for the most part, as infantrymen.

They went on patrol with us. They shared listening posts. They stood their fair share of day and night trench guard duty. They did everything that we did. They, also, were wounded and they, also, died.

Somehow we managed to mutually work out a system of verbal communication. It was a mixture of English and Korean with hand motions sometimes added in. You may have laughed if you had heard us conversing. But we could talk to each other. We became more than soldiers serving in the same unit. We became friends and soldiers serving together.

Their official title was " Korean Augmentation To United States Army ". The first letter in each of the six (6) words,when combined into one word, is KATUSA.

They did not wear A-frames and carry a long stick. They wore cartridge belts and carried an M1 rifle. They were Republic of Korea Combat Infantrymen.They did the job they were sent to do and did it well.

KATUSA is a title which still exists today.There are KATUSA's serving now with the US Army in Korea. They have a rich heritage and take great pride in being a KATUSA.

If you personally know or meet an " Old KATUSA " please show him the respect that he deserves. The respect that he earned so many, many years ago.