His military victories led to the creation of the Republic of Korea as a sovereign nation, according to military officials. Walker’s leadership during August and September 1950 helped allied forces strengthen Korea’s defenses.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the sculpture was Dec. 23 at the 8th U.S. Army Headquarters at the Yongsan Main Post. The observance also paid respects on the 58th anniversary of Walker’s death. The sculpture is expected to be completed and installed by this fall.
The sculpture was commissioned and financed by the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance Friendship Society. Chairman Suh Jin-sup was the driving force behind creating the memorial. Designer is Tak Yeon Ha, chief adviser sculptor for the International Art Cooperative Organization in Seoul.
During the groundbreaking, Lt. Gen. Joseph Fil, current 8th U.S. Army Commander, credited Walker with holding back communist aggression during the beginning of the Cold War.
“Had it not been for the way he decided to maneuver the forces defense against the North Korean troops,” Fil said, “many feel South Korea would have not pulled into an offensive position during the war nor would they have been able to establish the peace South Korea has experienced since the beginning of the armistice.”
Yongsan will eventually be remodeled into a city park. The 8th U.S. Army headquarters building, where the sculpture is being placed, will be preserved as a museum showcasing peace on the peninsula, Fil added.
Walker, son of Sam Sims and May Lydia Harris Walker, was born on Dec. 3, 1889, in Belton. He attended Wedemeyer Military Academy in Belton and Virginia Military Institute. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1912.
As commander of the IV Armored Corps and XX Corps during World War II, Walker was commended for his military abilities in the European Theater of Operations by Gen. George S. Patton. Walker was promoted to lieutenant general and in 1948 was made commanding general of the 8th Army in Japan. With the communist invasion of South Korea on June 28, 1950, the 8th Army under Walker was directed to stop the invasion.
Under Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Walker was made commander of United Nations forces in Korea, a position he held until he was killed in a jeep accident on Dec. 23, 1950. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
pbenoit@temple-telegram.com
