Samsung Donates $1 Million to National Infantry Museum and Heritage Park
COLUMBUS, Georgia – September 14, 2006: Korea-based Samsung announced today it will donate $1 million for construction of the Korean War Gallery at the new National Infantry Museum and Heritage Park in Columbus, Georgia.
The museum is being built on 200 acres just outside the gates of Fort Benning, the home of the Infantry and one the U.S. Army's largest training posts. Completion is expected in early 2008.
The 160,000-square-foot museum will honor the 231-year history of the American Infantryman, including his mid-century role in preserving the republic of Korea, halting Communist aggression and stabilizing the region.
"We decided to support the construction of the Korean War Gallery to honor the U.S. soldiers who fought for Korea's liberty, those who sacrificed their lives, and to build a stronger friendship between the two countries," a spokesman for Samsung said.
Retired Major General Jerry A. White, chairman for the National Infantry Foundation said the gift is especially meaningful. "Samsung Group's generous sponsorship of the Korean War Gallery is not only a major donation for the new National Infantry Museum project but also represents international support for Soldiers and the sacrifices they have made for the freedoms our countries now enjoy," he said.
MG (Ret.) White and General (Ret.) Edwin H. Burba, Jr., chairman of the National Infantry Foundation's National Advisory Board, will personally thank Samsung for its donation during an award ceremony hosted by the Korea Society in New York on September 19. At that ceremony, Samsung chairman Lee Kun-Hee is to receive the Korea Society's Van Fleet Award for his contribution to strengthening relations between the U.S. and Korea.
The new National Infantry Museum will tell the Infantry story from Revolutionary times to the present. It will include interactive exhibits, simulator activities and a 3-D IMAX theater.
Heritage Park will feature an authentic World War II company street, a memorial walk of honor and a 5-acre parade field for Infantry school graduations, change-of-command ceremonies and public events.
The mission of the museum is to honor the Infantry's legacy of valor and sacrifice, to preserve the artifacts that document that legacy, and to teach Americans about the true cost of freedom.
Reposted with permission from National Infantry Foundation.
Back to TopKorean POW elected to American Ex-POWs command – December 2005
Robert W. Fletcher, Korean War Ex-POW, has been elected, National Senior Vice Commander of American EX-POWs.
Back to TopDistinguished Service Cross Awarded – October 2005
PFC Florentino Gonzales was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, on July 5, 1950, near Chonan, Korea.
During an enemy attack which had been in progress for seven hours against overwhelming odds, his unit was ordered to withdraw as their ammunition was almost depleted. With no regard for his own personal safety, he volunteered to stay at his position and continue to fire his machine-gun to cover the withdrawal of his unit and to protect his assistant machinegunner, who had been seriously wounded. Undaunted, he continued to deliver effective fire on the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties.
He was last seen when his position was overrun by the enemy.
Back to TopTibor Rubin awarded National Medal of Honor – September 23, 2005
Rubin was first incarcerated at age 13 during World War II. He was forced from his Hungarian Jewish community to a concentration camp in Austria. Both parents and his two sisters perished in the Holocaust. Rubin survived until the camp was liberated two years later by American troops. Being liberated by the U.S. Army, Tibor felt that if he ever made it to the United States of America, he would join the Army.
Rubin immigrated to the United States in 1948 and answered the call to duty by volunteering for Army service. During numerous battles in Korea, Rubin's actions with the 1st Cavalry Division, engaging the enemy and tending to the wounded, were what officials described as "careless disregard for his own safety." In one such battle, Rubin single-handedly defended a hill, manning a machine gun for 24 hours, throughout the night and next morning, allowing the 8th Cavalry Regiment to successfully withdraw.
Rubin was severely wounded before being captured along with other soldiers. On November 2, 1950, Chinese troops captured Cpl. Rubin and other soldiers and he became a prisoner of war. For the next two and half years, Rubin risked his life daily to keep his fellow soldiers alive. He was nominated four times for the Medal, the nation's highest recognition for bravery in battle. On September 23, 2005, in Washington D.C., President Bush presented Rubin the Medal of Honor.
Back to TopHonored May – June 2005
- Clarence Young, 5th RCT was awarded the Silver Star on May 29,2005. The citation read in part that Young volunteered to stay back and cover his Unit's withdrawal thus enabling many to avoid capture. He was also awarded a Plaque as an Honoree for the Roll Call of heroes.
- A well-deserved honor was given to Dan McKinney by the Airmans Leadership School and placed on their Wall of Heroes, Cannon AFB, NM.
- William K. Norwood was the guest speaker at the Polk County, TN, Memorial Day Services.
Korean War National Museum and Library
If you are driving through Illinois you may want to check out the Korean War National Museum and Library. It is located at the once Chanute Air Force Base, in Rantoul, Illinois. All of the museum board of directors are Korean War veterans.
Illinois I-57 will bring you to the museum, and the Air Force Base's museum.
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