WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) today have introduced legislation that would authorize a Wall of Remembrance to be added to the Korean War Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This addition to the current memorial, to be built without the use of public funds, would recognize individual members of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in theater during the Korean War, as well as the number of service members who were wounded in action, are listed as missing in action, or who were prisoners of war during the Korean War. The Wall of Remembrance also would list the number of members of the Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army, the Republic of Korean Armed Forces, and other nations of the United Nations Command who were killed in action, wounded in action, are listed as missing in action, or were prisoners of war.
“The Korean War Memorial in our Nation’s Capital is a moving experience that literally reflects the veterans of what has often been called America’s ‘Forgotten War.’ But missing are the individual men and women who answered the call to serve their nation during this three-year war,” said Senator Cardin. “We honor the service and sacrifice of our Korean War veterans and hope that this expanded recognition will bring solace and pride to their families through the knowledge that their loved ones will never be forgotten.”
“This is a fitting recognition that shows our nation’s appreciation to the men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to our country during the Korean War. The Korean War Memorial Wall will serve has a reminder of the human cost of the Korean War in which more than 36,000 American servicemembers gave their lives. I am proud to join Senator Cardin in support of this tribute to honor those who served in defense of our nation,” Senator Boozman said.
The full text of the bill can be downloaded here.
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950. During the three-year war, some 5.7 million Americans were called to serve, and by the time the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed in July 1953, more than 36,000 Americans sacrificed their lives, 103,284 were wounded, 7,140 were captured, and 664 were missing.
To honor the Americans who served during the Korean War, on October 28, 1986, Congress passed H.R. 2005 (Public Law 99-572) authorizing the construction of the Korean War Veterans Memorial located in West Potomac Park, southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and just south of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.
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