Courtesy of Kwon Chi-gyu
A special ceremony was held at UN Peace Park in Busan, marking the unveiling of a memorial sculpture dedicated to U.S. General Richard S. Whitcomb, who served during the Korean War (1950-1953).
The sculpture, titled "Going to the Future Together," was created by sculptor Kwon Chi-gyu, 57, renowned for his work, including a sculpture of independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun in Seoul. The ceremony aimed to commemorate Gen. Whitcomb's contributions to Busan during the Korean War.
General Whitcomb served as the commander of the 2nd Logistics Command in Busan and gained recognition for his commitment to aiding refugees in the aftermath of the war. His notable efforts included distributing military supplies to disaster victims evacuating from a fire near Busan Station in 1953.
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| ▲ Courtesy of Kwon Chi-gyu |
Gen. Whitcomb actively participated in philanthropic initiatives, raising funds for the construction of orphanages and the Maryknoll Hospital in Busan. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in convincing then-President Park Chung-hee to allocate land for the establishment of Pusan National University.
In acknowledgment of his significant contributions, the South Korean government awarded Gen. Whitcomb the highest order of civil merit, the "Mugunghwajang," in 2022.
The memorial sculpture, "Going to the Future Together," was funded through public donations collected starting last year. It is designed to be accessible to ordinary people, with a low platform height and vibrant colors. Sculptor Kwon aimed to reflect Gen. Whitcomb's philosophy that post-war recovery lies in education.
The sculpture will be donated to Busan Metropolitan City as a lasting tribute to General Richard S. Whitcomb's enduring legacy in the region.
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Kang In sig, insig6622@naver.com
