A Special Memorial Day Weekend
This past week we celebrated my grandfather's 82nd birthday. He spent 4 years on the Destroyer USS Mansfield during the Korean War. The USS Mansfield served as the flagship for Destroyer Squadron Nine, otherwise known as the "Sitting Ducks of Wolmi-Do", during the Battle of Inchon.
Prior to the invasion, the Destroyer group was sent up the Eastern Channel into Inchon Harbor to anchor within point blank range of the enemy and draw fire from hidden gun emplacements at Wolmi-Do. They did so successfully and revealed the locations of the island's defense.
The amphibious invasion at Inchon is considered by military scholars to be a decisive victory that changed the course of the war and the fate of the South Koreans. The "Sitting Ducks of Wolmi-Do" were each awarded the Navy Unit Commendation.
Our family also said goodbye to a foreign exchange student from South Korea who lived with my wife's family while he went to high school and college. He graduated from Wake Forest University last week. Such a thing would not have been possible if not for the actions of our brave military that fought the forces of communism and tyranny on the Korean Peninsula.
Below is a picture of a plaque that we gave to my grandfather last week to honor his sacrifice:
"In recognition of honorable service during the Korean War in defense of Democracy and Freedom. Through your selfless sacrifice, the tide of communism on the Korean Peninsula was halted and liberty triumphed over tyranny. The Department of Defense and the people of America and Korea are forever grateful."
Leon E. Panetta
Secretary of Defense
Korean War 1950 - 1953
60th Anniversary 2010 - 2013
Thank you to all the men and women and their families who have served, fought, died and sacrificed loved ones for the United States of America in the name of Democracy and Freedom.
Sincerely,
