1 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –2nd Lt. Ji Hye Jang, platoon leader, B Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, left, listens to a guest speaker address the audience during the Task Force Smith Memorial ceremony, July 5, Osan City, South Korea. (Photo Credit: Capt. Jonathon Daniell)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –Soldiers assigned to 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, stand at present arms during the Task Force Smith Memorial ceremony, July 5, Osan City, South Korea. (Photo Credit: Capt. Jonathon Daniell)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –Col. Mark Holler, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric McCray, place a white flower in front of the Task Force Smith Memorial during the annual ceremony that pays tribute to Soldiers who fought at the Battle of Osan, Osan City, South Korea, July 5. (Photo Credit: Capt. Jonathon Daniell)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –The Task Force Smith Monument is surrounded by wreaths and white flowers as the annual remembrance ceremony, July 5, at Osan City, South Korea, marked the 66th anniversary of the Battle of Osan. (Photo Credit: Capt. Jonathon Daniell)VIEW ORIGINAL
For one Soldier assigned to B Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, the Task Force Smith Memorial ceremony at Osan City, South Korea, July 5 had a very special meaning.
2nd Lt. Ji Hye Jang, a fire control platoon leader, served as the English speaking narrator for the audience that joined together to honor the Soldiers who fought valiantly during the July, 1950, Battle of Osan.
"By participating in today's ceremony, it reminded me how much of a life changing event Task Force Smith was, and how it directly impacted my grandparents, my parents and even my life," said Jang. "It was an honor to stand in front of the veterans today."
Task Force Smith, an Army battalion named after their commander, deployed to the Republic of Korea to thwart an advancing North Korean force. However, with insufficient equipment, personnel shortages, and minimal time to plan, the unit withdrew from their position after suffering heavy casualties.
Soldiers assigned to 6-52 ADA Battalion assisted with the coordination and presentation of the annual event, which draws ROK and U.S. Korean war veterans, military service members, public officials and other patrons of the community.
I am proud when I look at this new monument, said retired ROK- Army Maj. and Korean War veteran, Tae Woo Yi. I look forward to seeing more students and younger generations visit the exhibition.
Although Yi's comments were likely not intended for the 22-year-old Korean-American Jang. It is without question, she fully embraces the pride and sentiment the retired war veteran wishes upon her peer group.
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