CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea - Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army Sgt. Hong Sung-hoon bid an honorable farewell to his mandatory military service and to the 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery.
Hong worked in the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery Supply Room for two years, performing his duties well and earning the respect and admiration of his fellow Soldiers.
“While looking forward to going back to school, I have mixed emotions. I am so sad I am leaving my beloved Suwon KATUSAs and U.S. Soldiers I have worked with. Undergoing military service as a KATUSA, I could interact with all races, various cultures and have a broad outlook on the world,” said Hong, 24, of Seognam-si, Gyeonggi Province.
The ceremony took place in the movie theater on Camp Humphreys, with many fellow KATUSAs present to witness the conclusion of his successful military service.
His supervisor, Spc. Song Han of Denver, Colo., said, “He accomplished everything I needed quickly and without complaint.”
His fellow worker in the supply room, Pfc. Andrea Lewis, said, “When I first moved into the supply office, he really did a lot to welcome me and make me feel a part of the team.”
When asked about his plans following his exit from service, Sgt. Hong said, “As soon as I leave the Army, I will go back to school. I will work a part-time job and repay my parents for their benefit by giving them a gift. Most importantly, I will have a good time with my girlfriend.”
The KATUSA program currently provides 31 soldiers to the 6-52nd Air Defense Artillery Battalion in Suwon and Osan.
The Battalion Executive Officer, Maj. Cecilia Shaw, said, “The KATUSAs are the ones providing the continuity in times of transition and we really rely upon them.”’
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