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MISSOURI STATE SYMBOLS

STATE KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL

Missouri Korean War Veterans Memorial

In January 2020, Sen. Mike Cierpiot submitted SB656, which would designate the Missouri Korean War Veterans Memorial in Kansas City as the official Korean War Veterans Memorial for the state. Cierpoit was following an earlier attempt made in 2013 by Sen. Jason Holsman’s SB399, which died in committee. Gov. Mike Parson signed the 2020 bill into law, effective Aug. 28, 2020.

United States involvement in the Korean War officially began with hostilities on June 27, 1950 and lasted through July 27, 1953, with veteran benefit eligibility extending up to Jan. 31, 1955. With the 1955 extension, 6.8 million Americans qualified as Korean War veterans. As of 2018, the official number of casualties from Missouri was 944 (NARA). Unofficially, the number has risen to 1,056 as of 2023 (Korean War Project).

The Memorial was dedicated Sept. 28, 2011, in Washington Square Park, Kansas City. According to the Memorial’s official website, the purpose of the Memorial is, “To perpetuate the legacy of Korean War Veterans present and past and the over 900 from the State of Missouri who paid the supreme sacrifice and gave their lives in defense of South Korea.” (MKWVM)

Other statewide Missouri Korean War monuments are in St. Louis (Forest Park), Jefferson City (Capitol grounds) and College of the Ozarks (Patriots Park).

Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo)

§10.230. Missouri Korean War Veterans Memorial in Kansas City designated as the official Korean War Veterans Memorial. – The Missouri Korean War Veterans Memorial located in Kansas City, Missouri, is selected for, and shall be known as, the official Korean War veterans memorial for the state of Missouri. (L. 2020 S.B. 656)

approved 14 July 2020
effective 28 August 2020

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