DeVore Only Known Kentuckian's Image Etched On Korean War Memorial in Washington DC

Ron Devore of Glasgow, Ky., served in Korea with the Kentucky National Guard 623rd Field Artillery Battalion.

"I don't have a clue how my picture got chosen," Devore said. "We had a little business going. We had an enlarger and a developer. We ordered [the enlarger] from the Sears Catalogue for $24.95. We charged 50 cents a picture. I was being paid $124 a month, before combat pay. We got put out of business when an enemy shell blew that thing [tent and photo equipment] to pieces." 1

"Along the south side of the memorial is the wall of faces. When the wall is viewed from a distance, the faces form the outline of the rugged hills that are a dominant part of the Korean landscape. The images depicted on the wall were taken from actual photographs of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who participated in the conflict. The faces along the wall represent the support troops it took to keep our foot soldier in the field. We do not often think about those who are behind the front lines." 2

Ron Devore holding photo of himself next to wall.

1 - Veterans remember...The Forgotten War by Dennis Ryan Pentagram staff writer  http://www.dcmilitary.com/army/pentagram/7_30/features/18468-1.html August 2, 2002.

2 - Korean War Veterans Memorial Design Symbolism - National Park Service  http://www.nps.gov/kwvm/memorial/symbolism.htm