Gov. Bev Perdue announced recently that N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs (NCDVA) is leading a statewide effort to recognize North Carolina service members and their families on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. The project is part of the U.S. Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee, which in June will launch “The Year of the Korean War Veteran.”
“More than 177,000 North Carolina citizens served in Korea between June 27, 1950, and Jan. 31, 1955,” Gov. Perdue said. “We believe that more than 72,000 of these veterans are still living in North Carolina today, and many more have descendants who make their home here. I ask that everyone pitch in to help us provide formal appreciation of their service and sacrifice.”
NCDVA Assistant Secretary Tim Wipperman has placed a link on the division website (www.doa.nc.gov/vets/KoreanWarForm.aspx) to provide a Certificate of Appreciation signed by U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to all Korean War veterans and the family members who supported them.
“This may be one of our last chances to recognize the contributions of those who began the successful struggle to stem the tide of communism,” Wipperman said.
No documentation is necessary and the form can be filled out and submitted online by the veteran, family member or a friend. Requests for certificates may also be downloaded and mailed to:  Korean War Veterans Certificate, N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs, 1315 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1315.
According to NCDVA, North Carolina recorded 968 deaths in service during the conflict, of which 784 were battle deaths. An additional 2,272 service members were wounded; 109 were taken as prisoners of war, and 204 were designated as missing in action.
In addition to the Certificate of Appreciation, the U.S. Department of Defense encourages any Korean War veteran who would like to share his or her story with the Korean War Commemoration Committee’s oral history project to visit  koreanwar.defense.gov/ or call 703-545-0522.
– article submitted by Jill Lucas