Nov. 30, 1951
FORT McPHERSON, GA. A check for more than $10,000
for the relief of Korean War orphans was on its way to Tokyo last week
as the result of a special Thanksgiving offering contributed by WACs
and soldiers in the Third Army area and by members of their families.
The check was presented to Lt. Gen. John R. Hodge, commanding general,
Third Army, by Col. Silas N. Decker, Third Army chaplain, who conceived
and promoted the idea. General Hodge, in turn, forwarded the check
to General Matthew Ridgway's United Nations Command in Tokyo with the
request that it be used for the purchase of food and clothing for unfortunate
Korean youngsters.
PRESENT FOR THE ceremony at which the check was turned
over to General Hodge were three South Korean officers who are in this
country to attend the U.S. Army's Infantry School at Ft. Benning, Ga.
Representing a group of approximately 165 South Korean officers now
at the school were Lt. Kwon Soon Wun, Lt. Han Gee and Lt. Kim dong Sung.
All three came to the U.S. last September, two of them fresh from the
battlefront.
When told of the extent of the offering, Lieutenant
Kwon, who acted as spokesman for the group, exclaimed; "Ah. It is wonderful.
Much good will be accomplished, for the need is very great."
THE OFFERING, which netted approximately $10,100,
was taken at post chapels throughout the Third Army area which covers
seven southeastern states.
ACCORDING to the program set up by Chaplain Decker,
the Third Army fund will be placed under supervision of the chief United
Nations Command chaplain in Tokyo, who will be authorized to supervise
purchases of food and clothing for the Korean youngsters.
