Thunder KATUSAs meet a living legend

By Pfc. Song Gun-woo (2d ID)April 28, 2014

Thunder KATUSAs meet a living legend
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Four Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army Soldiers who won the 2nd Infantry Division Gen. Paik Sun-yup board in March, Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Spano, the senior enlisted advisor for the 2nd Inf. Div., and Command Sgt. Maj. Jeong Woo-jin, the Republi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Thunder KATUSAs meet a living legend
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Thunder KATUSAs meet a living legend
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Spano, senior enlisted advisor for the 2nd Infantry Division, Command Sgt. Maj. Jeong Woo-jin, the Republic of Korea army support group senior enlisted advisor for the 2nd Inf. Div., and four Korean Augmentation to the United... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Thunder KATUSAs meet a living legend
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Four Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army Soldiers, all winners of the 2nd Infantry Division Gen. Paik Sun-yup board, Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Spano, senior enlisted advisor for the 2nd Inf. Div., and Command Sgt. Maj. Jeong Woo-jin, the Republic of ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Thunder KATUSAs meet a living legend
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Kim Kyu-sik (right), from Seoul, South Korea, an automated logistical specialist assigned to 580th Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and Cpl. Pyo Ki-youn ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

YONGSAN, South Korea -- The Korean War was a time of devastation and panic. However, there were heroes like retired Republic of Korea army, Gen. Paik Sun-yup who stood up to enemy forces to protect their nation and loved ones.

On April 15 at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, South Korea, four Korean Augmentation to the United States Army Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division, visited the man himself.

The KATUSAs who had the honor of meeting Paik were winners of the 2nd Inf. Div., Gen. Paik Sun-yup board.

"Not every KATUSA that compete gets to be selected to earn the award because they must display leadership potential and qualities that come along with being a Soldier and a leader," said Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Spano, the senior enlisted advisor for the 2nd Inf. Div.

The board was established to honor Paik, a living legend whose achievements range from distinguished service during the Korean War, to the modernization of the ROK army.

"My grandfather fought in the Korean War as a naval officer, and I grew up hearing about Gen. Paik," said Sgt. Kim Kyu-sik, from Seoul, South Korea, an automated logistical specialist assigned to 580th Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th FA Bde. "Once I heard about the board, I had to take part."

According to Command Sgt. Maj. Jeong Woo-jin, the ROK army support group senior enlisted advisor for the 2nd Inf. Div., the visit was a great opportunity for the Soldiers to interact with a hero who has stood where they are standing.

"By studying his biography and what he has done, they have gained the chance to know what to do as a young Soldier," said Jeong. "Second, by meeting him in person, and with what they learned, it was a valuable experience for them to think about their plans and ways they have set."

For Cpl. Pyo Ki-youn, also a native of Seoul, it was a time to reflect back on his military career.

"It was a time for me to look back on my mindset as a KATUSA and as a Soldier," said Pyo, a canon crewmember assigned to Battery B, 1st Bn., 15th FA Regt., 210th FA Bde. "I was deeply inspired to work harder, thinking of the time past and the things I have learned."

During the meeting, Paik mentioned the importance of the Alliance between the two nations.

"No matter how hard one works, there are limits to his abilities," said Paik. "Working together is crucial."

The ROK-U.S. Alliance continues to grow stronger as we work together to defend the Korean Peninsula.

Related Links:

Gen. Paik Sun-yup Board winners meet the man himself - Facebook

Gen. Paik Sun-yup Board winners meet the man himself - Flickr