“My wound is a symbol of sacrifice for freedom, which I am proud of.”

Col. William E. Weber enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1943. When the Korean War broke out, he was assigned as Commander of K Company, 187th Airborne Infantry Regimental Combat Team, taking part in the Incheon Landing Operation and battles in the Sukcheon and Suncheon areas of North Korea.

On the night of February 15, 1951, during the battle for Wonju, he lost his right arm due to a grenade attack, and his right leg in another attack the following day.

Despite his fatal wounds, he successfully led his company to complete the mission of capturing the hill before being evacuated to the States.

After a year of surgeries and rehabilitation, he returned to active duty and served in a number of positions until his retirement in 1980.

After retiring, Col. Weber served as the president of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation (KWVMF) and spearheaded the establishment of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., dedicating himself to preventing the Korean War from becoming a “forgotten war.”

His long-held dream and efforts were brought to fruition when the construction of the Wall of Remembrance, inscribed with the names of U.S. and KATUSA soldiers killed in the Korean War, began. Col. William E. Weber, who achieved his mission to inscribe all 43,808 names, passed away at the age of 97 in April 2022, just before the completion of the wall.

Col. William E. Weber, who participated in the Korean War 74 years ago, courageously fought to protect South Korea, sacrificing himself without hesitation. Despite having lost his right leg and right arm, he displayed indomitable willpower and dedicated his life to honoring and remembering the sacrifices and dedication of the veterans until his passing. His ultimate goal was to make known the pride and spirit of freedom that veterans fought to protect, even at the cost of his arm, leg, and comrades.

The 10th Anniversary Special Exhibition in remembrance of Col. William E. Weber’s courage and sacrifices showcases artifacts acquired by the United Nations Peace Memorial in October 2022.

Notably, numerous medals and commendations such as the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Purple Heart, and the Order of Civil Merit Rose of Sharon Medal, awarded by the Republic of Korea, the United States, and other countries, captivate the visitors’ attention.

Through this exhibition, which will be held until December next year, we hope to instill the values of the heroic life of Col. William E. Weber and the history, patriotism, and humanity of the heroes who fought for freedom.