"The Forgotten War" will be remembered forever in Broken Arrow following the dedication of a new Korean War Memorial held at Veterans Park, 1111 S. Main St., on March 21.
More than 250 people were in attendance on a cold and rainy afternoon to honor all who served in the Korean War.
Dr. Clarence Oliver, Jr., Ed.D., who served as an Infantry Master Sergeant in a front-line unit during the war, spoke on behalf of his fellow Korean War Veterans who were in attendance.
"North Korea is a very bad place to fight a war with its rows and rows of mountains, it's a very hazardous land, and I hope we never have to be in that situation again," Oliver said. "I was in North Korea, and I did not enjoy it, but it was an experience that I'm glad I had because I developed an appreciation for people who serve with you and the goals you can accomplish."
More than 1,780,000 Americans served in the Korean War from 1950-1953 in various capacities, with 36,574 killed in action.
"Another 10,000 or so died from accidents and illnesses and all those things that can happen when you are in the military," Oliver said. "More than 103,000 were wounded in action, and 4,714 were taken as prisoners of war."
As of October 2022, the Defense Department POW/MIA says 7,600 American soldiers are still unaccounted for.
"Those of us who have been in the Korean War, who have friends who are still missing in action, we want those people remembered also," Oliver said.
The ceremony included acknowledgment of the Korean War veterans in attendance and recognition of sculptor J. David Nunneley. Mayor Debra Wimpee spoke about the importance of adding this monument to the memorials already displayed at the park.
"One thing I know, is that this city will never forget what our American heroes did long before us," Wimpee said. "It is so important to me, our council and our city leadership to continue to honor our past, present and future service members. Part of today's dedication is to honor a wonderfully, talented man, Mr. David Nunneley, and to his family—thank you."
The statue depicts the likeness of a U.S. soldier wearing a heavy coat and holding a rifle while standing in the snow and surveying the landscape. It stands approximately 80 inches tall, weighs around 800 pounds, and took nearly a year to sculpt.
The City Council authorized a contract with J. David Nunneley for the Korean War Memorial bronze sculpture in September 2021. Unfortunately, Mr. Nunneley died in February 2023 and didn't live to see his last work installed. It is the second monument at Veterans Park sculpted by the Broken Arrow artist. Many of his friends and family attended the unveiling.
Nunneley's bronzes are well-known for their historical accuracy and attention to detail.
"On this sculpture, you won't believe the hours he and I spent together talking about the details of the uniform, little things like the boots, fatigues, and the canteen on the belt," Oliver said of his long-time friend. "It was that kind of detail that made him an unusual man and a perfectionist, and I know you will appreciate that."
The American soldier in the Korean War is the second of Nunneley's sculptures at Veterans Park. The first was the Vietnam War monument, American Patriot, installed in 2005. That statue depicts Broken Arrow High School graduate Maj. William H. (Hank) Miesner, Jr., during his service in Vietnam.
Nunneley created more than 24 life-size and larger monuments installed across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and many in the Tulsa area, including six in Broken Arrow, which include: The Pioneer Family at Centennial Park, Tiger Monument on Tiger Hill, Col. Ernest Childers at Floral Haven Cemetary, Rooster with an Attitude in the Rose District and the Saluting Boy Scout standing at the Ray Harrall Nature Center.
The Korean War Memorial cost $162,200 and was paid for through the Broken Arrow Parks Capital Fund.
