National Infantry Museum to host symposium on Korean War
Retired Lt. Gen. Bernard Champoux, who recently commanded the 8th Army in Korea, will be the keynote speaker at a National Infantry Museum symposium on Friday entitled: “Korea: The Forgotten War — Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”
Champoux understands the current situation and the potential problems better than anyone, said retired Col. Ralph Puckett, a Korean War veteran.
“He’s the best drawing card we could have for this program,” Puckett said. “He’s the most interesting and I suspect he is going to have the most to say.”
Champoux left his post earlier this year after serving since 2013. He said he plans to address the state of the alliance and the state of the threat.
“The most important thing that people need to realize is that the relationship with the Republic of Korea is one of the strongest strategic alliances we have ever been a part of,” Champoux said in a phone interview Wednesday. “It is a 65-year-old alliance that started with the Korean War.”
North Korea’s efforts to launch long-range missiles and its leader Kim Jong-un illustrate the potential problems, Champoux said.
“The threat is very real.” he said. “They have a young and unpredictable leader who is very much in charge.”
In addition to Champoux, those speaking include:
<bullet> Author Leo Barron, who wrote “High Tide in the Korean War: How an Outnumbered American Regiment Defeated the Chinese at the Battle of Chipyong-Ni.”
<bullet> Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles “Chick” Cleveland,, a flying ace credited with shooting down five MiG-15s.
<bullet> Puckett, who led the 8th Army Ranger Company, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross after being overrun by several hundred Chinese forces.
<bullet> Retired Army Col. Ben Malcom, who wrote the book “White Tigers,” chronicling his “secret war” behind enemy lines to recruit, train and lead North Korean partisans.
It also important to hear the perspective of veterans like Puckett, whom Champoux called “not only a national hero, but a national treasure.”
“Their perspective from the operational level is important,” Champoux said. “They bring the experience of being in the fight in very difficult weather conditions over difficult terrain. They were the start of our long-term commitment in that region. And they paid for it with their blood, toil and sacrifice.”
The program runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Infantry Museum’s theater. It is free and open to the public. Guests are asked to call the foundation’s reservation line at 706-494-3708 to reserve a lunch.
This story was originally published May 11, 2016 at 5:32 PM with the headline "National Infantry Museum to host symposium on Korean War."