Next to the Major General John K. Singlaub Monument.

The Black Stone monument remembers Colonel William E. Weber, an exceptional veteran of World War II and the Korean War.

The front side contains a golden medallion with Weber's portrait and inscriptions in Korean and English languages highlighting his service and contributions. The reverse side includes U.S. and Republic of Korea flags, a photo of him standing in front of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, as well as inscriptions in Korean and English.

On 12 October 2023, Lieutenant General Willard Burleson, Commanding General of the Eighth U.S. Army, and Yoon Jong-jin, Vice Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea, as well as surviving family members, participated in the dedication ceremony for this monument and a similar one to U.S. Major General John K. Singlaub. The project, funded by the Republic of Korea Ministry of Defense and SK Group, was part of programs that commemorated the 70th anniversary of the alliance between Seoul and Washington in 2023.

During the Korean War, Weber served as a member of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, and in 1951, he lost his right arm and leg in a battle in the city of Wonju, 87 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

Weber is highly recognized in Korea for devoting his life after retirement to making sure the Korean War, often referred to as the Forgotten War, was remembered in the United States and the world. He was the driving force in establishing the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Wall of Remembrance in Washington, DC. Once the Washington memorial was completed and dedicated in July 1996, Weber went on to establish the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation. He served as the chairman of the Foundation and then as its chair emeritus until his death.

Source of information: www.army.mil, www.dvidshub.net, en.yna.co.kr

Source of photo: www.dvidshub.net, google map

Front side of the monument text:

William E. Weber

(1925.11.10 - 2022.04.09)

William E. Weber, the Hero of Korean War

Colonel William E. Weber passed away at the age of 97 on April 9th in 2022, at his home in Maryland. In 1995 he erected the Korean War Veterans Memorial and devoted his final years to building the Wall of Remembrance despite his advanced age and worsening injuries. 

Military Career of Colonel William E. Weber

Colonel Weber volunteered for the special forces in February 1943 when he was only seventeen years old. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in January 1945 at Fort Benning. Georgia. He deployed to the Philippines as a Platoon Leader in the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment after serving with the 11th Airborne Division and to Japan with the 82nd Airborne Division in August 1945. After serving in various positions, including at the Infantry School, the Command and General Staff College, NATO Headquarters, the Army War College, and the Department of the Army, he retired as a Colonel in 1980. Colonel Weber received numerous medals and commendations, including the U.S. Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Republic of Korea Order of Civil Merit. 

He Lost his Right Arm and Leg in the Battle of Wonju.

My injury is a symbol of sacrifice for freedom, which I am proud of. He was deployed to Korea with the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment in August 1950 and participated in the Inchon Landing Operation and airborne operations in the North Korea Sukchon and Sunchon areas, On the night of February 15, 1951, he lost his right arm in a hand grenade attack during the Battle of Wonju, and the following morning he lost his right leg in a mortar attack at around 2 a.m. Fortunately, the minus 23-degree cold froze his blood, saving his life. Colonel Weber was the first disabled officer to return to active duty after a year of surgery and rehabilitation. 

Changing the Forgotten War to the Victorious War.

Colonel Weber felt sad that American history was forgetting the honorable sacrifice made for the freedom of South Korea. He erected the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Wall of Remembrance. He also visited high schools and middle schools to educate students about the significance of the Korean War and the importance of the Korea-U.S. Alliance which was described in a few lines in American textbooks.

Words Left to the Korean People

Korea does not owe anything to me. People who have freedom must defend it when someone threatens freedom. The Republic of Korea has also become a free country. Now, we must strive to give the people of North Korea freedom. The inscription on the War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Freedom is not Free, reminds us that we must not take freedom for granted and that it requires sacrifice and obligation.

At the back of monument text:

William E. Weber (1925.11.10 - 2022.04.09)

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the ROK-U.S. Alliance, this memorial stands to

honor those who sacrificed for the Republic of Korea.

Freedom is not Free.

2023 10