Korean War Museum Board of Trustees

Meet the Board of Trustees*

Korean War Veterans National Museum & Library

ROBERT KENNEY, President (1998-2000)

Bob Kenney is the president of the board of trustees. He joined the Illinois National Guard in June of 1948 where he was a truck driver, motor pool dispatcher with Service Company 130th Infantry, 44th Division. In 1951 he re-enlisted, attending Wheel Vehicle Mechanics School at Ft. Riley, Kansas after going on active duty. Bob was assigned to 912th R&C, 8th Army at Esslingen, Germany as a MOS 4014, wheel vehicle mechanic. He was appointed Information and Education NCO, attending I&E school at Dachau, Germany and 8th Army NCO Academy at Munich, Germany. He was battalion vehicle mechanic, responsible for maintenace of service and parts vehicles. The 912th was deactivated and he was transferred to another ordinance company at Nuernberg, Germany in September 1953. Bob was discharged from active duty in November 1953 and completed his National Guard enlistment until June of 1954. He was promoted to sergeant first class in April 1954. In civilian life, he worked in Security at Caterpillar Inc. in Decatur for 35 years and 3 months. He has been involved with the Charles Parlier Chapter of the KWVA since 1990. He served as secretary, editor, trustee, Department of Illinois Director and President. He also served the Department of Illinois KWVA as Secretary-Treasurer, and Secretary for a total of five years. He was involved in securing the Korean War license plates for the State of Illinois and was active in obtaining the veterans clinic for Decatur. He helps with local fund-raising projects of the chapter, such as the Macon County Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Tell America programs. Having been involved in local and state KWVA activities and veterans affairs for eight years, Bob was aware that the Korean War era has not been given recognition in the history books. He says, "Since communism began to crumble in 1989, it has been evident that the Korean War is not recognized properly. While President of our local KWVA chapter in 1996, our chapter helped the Douglas County Museum with the Korean War exhibit. Our chapter and the Department of Illinois supported Mrs. Sommer when she proposed the establishment of the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library." Bob lives at 2930 W. Hickory Point Road, Decatur, IL. His phone number is 217-877-7091. E-mail is .

Jere Crise, 1st Vice President (2000-2002)

Was appointed to the Board of Trustees at the December 11, 1999, meeting. He served in the U.S. Air Force from July 25, 1950 to July 27, 1958. He had the rank of S/Sgt. and served in Korea from January, 1953 to December, 1953. Jere served with the 16th Fighter Interceptor Squadron - F-86 Crew Chief, 51st Fighter Interceptor Group and the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing. Jere is the Chairman of the Building Committee and is working hard towards accomplishing our goal. Jere is a Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Bank Auditor and Certified Financial Services Auditor. Jere and his wife Lois live at 229 North Middleton Avenue, Platine, IL. 60067. His phone number is, 847-991-1631.

WILLIAM F. O'BRIEN, Second Vice President (1998-2000)

Bill served in the US Army from June 25, 1951 until June 9, 1953. He took basic training at Ft. Riley, Kansas--eight weeks of basic and eight weeks of heavy weapons. He was assigned to the 274th Armored Field Artillery at Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. His M.O.S. was radio operator. He was battery mail clerk, information and education NCO and athletic and recreation NCO. In his civilian career, he was a self-employed salesman, selling equipment (everything but the fire truck!) to fire departments throughout the state of Illinois. He loves sports, having served as baseball and softball umpire for 32 years. He was also a football official on the high school and college level for 15 years, as well as an ice hockey official on both of those levels, as well as semi-pro, for 15 years. Bill is also an avid gardener who grows roses and landscapes his own garden. When asked why he got involved with the museum project, Bill says, "I wanted to promote the history of the Korean War, and thought the idea of a museum would be a great way to accomplish this goal. Ken Cook was instrumental in getting me started. I attended the first meeting in September 1997 and have been active ever since." Bill lives at 4055 W. 90th Place, Hometown, Illinois. Phone: 708-423-1379.

MERLE SIMS Trustee (2000 - 2002)

Our national treasurer, Merle lives at 2441 Longwood Drive, Decatur, IL 62526. He joined the United States Marine Corps on July 9, 1953 and was discharged on July 8, 1956. He went to boot camp in San Diego and advanced infantry training at Camp Pendleton, CA. He also took cold weather training at Pickle Meadows, California. After training, he was shipped to Japan to join the 3rd Marine Division in 1954. He was transferred to Korea and the 1st Marine Division in March of 1955, returning to the States in early 1956. Merle retired from Caterpillar Tractor Company in Decatur in 1991 after 32 1/2 years with the company. He started as a weld cleaner and worked his way up to skilled trades machinist in the tool room and prove design areas. In his retirement, he now does automotive machining as a hobby and he likes to travel. He got involved with the museum project when several members from the Charles Parlier Chapter of the KWVA went to the meeting that started the ball rolling to start the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library. As meetings go, when nominations came around Merle (treasurer for the Charles Parlier Chapter) was nominated for treasurer. He accepted the nomination for the three month term, then found himself reelected to hold office until the year 2000.

JOE A. MATTHEWS, Secretary (2000 - 2002)

Joe and his wife, Rosie, live at 613 Lafayette Avenue, Mattoon, IL (ph. 217-234-4843). He was a sergeant in the US Army from July 16, 1946 until November 11, 1947, serving as chief dispatcher for the motor pool of the 753rd AAA Gun Battalion at Yokahoma, Japan during the occupation of Japan. Shortly after the birth of his first child, Joe was called into active duty due to the outbreak of the Korean War. In that war (his time in Korea being December 1950-November 1951), he became a Master Sergeant with Company A, 38th Regiment, Second Infantry Division. Joe's rifle company participated in the battles of the May Massacre, Bloody Ridge, Taeu-san, Kach'-bong, Chohonggol, Inje, Punchbowl, Tumul-Lyong, No Name Ridge, Chunchon, Hills 1051, 1179, 1181, 1243, 868, 992, 1059 and more. When his replacement arrived in Korea, Joe returned to the States and his job with the US Post Office in Mattoon. There Joe worked from 1953 until he retired in 1989. He has a special interest in veterans affairs and is a life member of the following veterans organizations: VFW, DAV, KWVA, 2nd Division Association, Veterans Alliance, and the KWB. He is also a member of the National Rural Letter Carriers, Moose and the American Legion. Why did Joe Matthews get involved with the national museum project? "After speaking at two schools, my reaction is that evidently the teaching about the Korean War is very limited. Textbooks contain scarce information. Dedication of memorials are great," Joe says, "but I feel that a national museum would be a learning center for future generations to come."

D. RICHARD TEIKE, Trustee (2000 - 2003)

Board member Richard Teike likes baseball, football and basketball, but lately he hasn't had that much time to enjoy watching his favorite sports. Richard serves as chairman of the budget committee for the Korean War Museum, but that is only one of many hats that he wears to support Korean War veterans. He is also the past president of the Charles Parlier Chapter of the KWVA in Decatur, Illinois, and he is the current state president of the Department of Illinois KWVA. Richard served in the US Army from February 1952 to January 1954 with the 28th Division, 109th Field Artillery Battalion, Headquarters Battery, personnel section at Dilligen/Donau, Germany. In 1992, he retired from the Caterpillar company in Decatur, where he worked in the production accounting department. During the Korean War, the United States government concentrated its troops in Europe. It is because of his time in Germany that Richard decided to become involved in the museum project. "Even though I served during the Korean War," he says, "I feel I owe those guys who served in Korea. Helping with the museum is one way of repaying them. They will not be forgotten!" To contact Richard, write him at 883 St. Rt. 121, Mt. Pulaski, IL 62548, or call 217-792-3291.

WALTER ADE, Trustee (1998-2001)

A veteran of the 5th RCT, Walter was drafted in February 1952. He served in the US Army Infantry from January 1953-December 1953 in Korea as a light machine gunner. He retired as chief, Internal Revenue, Illinois Army National Guard, November 1, 1984. He competed in Service Rifle Competition for 20 years, receiving the Distinguished Rifleman badge. He also serves as shooting instructor for a Springfield, Illinois gun club's junior small bore rifle marksmanship program. Walter is also a skier, having completed in Worldloppet cross Country ski competition. He received the Worldloppet Master Skier medal and diploma. He still participates at the annual American Birkebeiner Ski Marathon in Wisconsin. Very active in the Sangamon County, Illinois Korean War Veterans Association activities, Walter became involved in the national museum project because the history of the Korean War is part of his own life's history--he was there. Walter lives at 3348 S. Spring, Springfield and his telephone number is 217-529-3859.

WARREN "HOUSTON" THOMAS, Trustee (2000 - 2003)

Retired from farming and from the Peabody Coal Company's Hawthorn Mine, Warren lives in rural Linton, Indiana with his wife, Betty. He believes that his children and grandchildren (whom he dearly loves) live in a world that was saved on the battlefields of Korea as much as on the battlefields of any other war in history. Warren knows this because he is a Korean War veteran of the US Army. He was drafted on October 18, 1951 and after taking basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, he served as a tractor operator for the 116th Engineer Combat Battalion of the 19th Engineer Combat Group. He was with the 10th Corps and the 8th Army in Korea. Warren was voted onto the board because he believes that the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library should come into existence "to tell America and the world that the Korean War veterans must not be forgotten, for they have shown the world 'Freedom is Not Free.' He said, "We gave of ourselves and asked nothing in return. Now it is time the Korean War veterans receive the recognition that they deserve." If you would like to contact Warren Thomas, his address is RR2, Box 718, Linton, IN 47441. His telephone number is 812-847-9448.

MORLIN L. ZIMMERMAN, Trustee (1999-2002)

In December 1950, Brothers Merle and Morlin Zimmerman entered the Air Force. Merle was sent to Suwon, Korea. Morlin was sent to Chaterouix, France and Wiesbaden, Germany from August 1951 to June 1954. He served with the 7300th Material Control Squadron, 73rd Air Depot Wing as a shipping and receiving clerk in an office with one USAF Major and two USA civilian. Then until August of 1954, he worked in the officer's records section, at Wiesbaden Air Base. He went back to ZI August to December 1954 at O'Hare Air Base in officer records until dischange on December 15, 1954. From 1958 until 1989, he was a rural mail carrier. Now retired and living at 303 9th Avenue, Monroe, Wisconsin, Morey enjoys history, sports, and reading. He has been involved in the national museum project since inception. "Two of my classmates were killed during the Korean War and their bodies were never recovered to the best of my knowledge," he says. "My dad had a cousin killed in World War I and I had a cousin killed in World War II. I am doing something they never had the chance to do." Morey started the ball rolling on advertising the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library by ordering caps and tee shirts with the museum's logo. He worked very hard to process all of the early orders for these products. The proceeds from the sale of the caps and shirts have helped increase the cash available in the museum's Building Fund. Phone: 608-325-6226. E-mail

JAE WON LEE, Trustee (1998-2001)

Trustee Jae Won Lee lives at 4710 N. Keystone, Chicago, IL 60630. Beginning on September 9, 1945, he worked with Fox Company, 32nd Regiment, 7th Division as an investigator checking out Japanese refugees from China and North Korea. On January 1, 1949, he was transferred to the 5th RCT to serve for six months as an interpreter and instructor with Colonel Conger's Korean Army 3rd Brigade at Taegu. Then in July of 1949, he was transferred to KMAG where he worked at the Korean Army Infantry School with Major Clark until June of 1950. When the Korean War broke out, Jae rejoined the 5th RCT when they came back from Hawaii on July 21, 1950. He went with the 5th RCT to the Masan front line. In civilian life, Jae Won Lee graduated from Seoul National University at Seoul with a B.S. in chemistry. He taught chemistry at Youngnam High School in Pusan for ten years. Later, he opened his own pharmaceutical company, which he operated for 15 years in Korea. In the United States, he was employed by Mystic Tape for seven years. He started his own chemical company in the United States and kept it for seven years. Now a translator for a foodliner in the Chicago area, Jae retains an interest in researching chemicals and herbs that are used as health food. Asked why he became involved with the museum project, he explained, "I lost contact with my parents and my brother when the war started. I also lost a lot of good American and Korean friends during the war. I want to help in remembering their sacrifices." E-Mail is Phone: 773-286-0533 after 4 p.m.

JIM LUTKE, Trustee (1999-2002)

Jim served in Korea in the US Marine Corps from May 1952 to May 1953. He was a BAR man with Dog Company (infantry line company), 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He is a retired Chicago fireman who now enjoys traveling and reading all books on the Korean War and the US Marine Corps. His special interest in the Korean War and the history of Korea caused him to get involved as a trustee of the national museum. Jim lives at 5815 N. Navarre in Chicago. His phone number is 773-763-5167.

YANG HO SONG, Trustee (2000 - 2003)

Mr. Song is one of two Koreans currently serving on our board of trustees. His address is 4120 W. Lawrence, Chicago, and his telephone number is 773-777-9660. In 1957 he was a lieutenant with the Korean Army 5th Division Engineer Battalion. He then became company commander of 1107th Combat Engineer Group 503 in 1964. He became battalion commander of 1202nd Construction Engineer Group 206 in 1970. In 1972 he became Defense Department Supply Division Construction Manager and in 1976 was with the 1st ROK Army Engineer Office. In civilian life, he was owner of Young's Grocery in Chicago from 1982 until 1994. Since 1997 he has served as president of the Midwest Region Korean Veterans Association. He decided to get involved with the national museum because he would like the public to remember the dedication of the soldiers who fought in the Korean War.

DOUGLAS C. "DOUG" FARGO, Trustee (1999-2002)

Doug is one of our out-of-state board members. He was born, raised, and educated in Michigan, and retired to Charles Town, West Virginia in 1988.

He entered the service for the Korean War on January 7, 1951. From 5 November 1951 through March of 1952, he served with L Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division in the Far East and Korea. His decorations include two Combat Infantry Badges and two Bronze Stars associated with combat missions in the Eastern Theater of Operations and Korea.

Doug has been instrumental in the development of tile program for the the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library, and is currently working on an architectural rendition of the museum. In addition, he and Stan Hadden have worked on a design for the Gold Star Gallery.

Doug's address is 1557 Tuscawilla Hills, 106 Hickory Ct., Charles Town, WV 25414. His phone numbers are (304) 725-0817 and 1-888-261-6556, pin # 7916.