Veterans Day 2024, Katusas

Last night, I posted to my friends and family on Facebook for Veterans Day. I always try to put something up. On this night, I wasn't thinking of US soldiers particularly. My thoughts were on Katusas, South Korean soldiers that served with us directly. They worked with us, stayed in the same barracks, actually most of my roommates were Katusas, and did the same job as us. Katusa stands for, Korean augmentee to the US Army.

To be a Katusa, as far as I know, you had to be semi proficient in english. In South Korea, they have a mandatory military service, and the ROK (Republic of Korea) army is tough. The ROK army not only had military duties, but they built and maintained roads and did about any other hard labor needed within the country. At the time I was there, I think they were paid about $8 a month or something insanely low. Most were supported financially by their families. Most Katusas were known to be from influential families who pulled strings to get them to work with the much less difficult US Army.

Either way, the first soldier I met in my unit, in the 1/9 Infantry, was a Katusa. To be honest, his name escapes me, he left not long after my arrival. But he was so kind. My whole unit was out in the field when I arrived in Korea, and this young gentleman took it upon himself to make sure I was taken care of. In my 18 months in Korea I had two different Katusa roommates. One, was SGT Kim who left maybe six to eight months into my tour, his service obligation had ended. He was a quiet and friendly man. I really wish I had a way to get in touch with him, but searching for a Korean man named Kim is asking a lot. My other roommate, Il-Hoo I am in contact with till this day.

There were many others I socialized with and worked with in the field. A couple of us have found each other on Facebook also. The stories I could tell, or more likely they could tell, I was a bit wild back in Korea. These men were my friends and compatriots the eighteen months I served in Korea.

In the end, I bring these young men up because they served. Though they were representing their own country, we worked together side by side on the same mission, keeping their home safe from North Korea. This makes me believe, I should wish them a happy Veterans Day also. I hope they all have fulfilled their dreams and have wonderful families of their own. I miss them and wish them the best.