North Carolina Korean War Memorial, Mint Hill
The memorial is comprised of a central fountain surrounded by four granite pillars. The eleven-foot tall pillars are inscribed with the names of the 788 North Carolinians who were killed or listed as missing in action during the Korean War. Facing them are inscribed granite benches. The central fountain itself is a colored sculpture of the taegeuk or taijitu symbol, the blue and red Taoist symbol that appears on the South Korean flag. Two life-sized soldiers stand at memorial’s perimeter; one wears a Class A dress uniform and the other, facing west, wears a poncho. The bases of these statues bear faces and names of Medal of Honor recipients. This central section of fountain and is encircled by a four-foot tall brick planter wall.
To the south of the fountain, a walkway honoring veterans of all wars leads from the parking lot to the memorial. The walkway is surrounded by seven markers of appreciation (five on the west side of the walkway, and two on the east). There is also a bench dedicated to First Lieutenant Henry O. Eubanks, Jr., and a several foot tall granite tribute to Sergeant Carl Lee Powers, a Korean War veteran. Five flagpoles bear the flags of South Korea, North Carolina, the United States, POW/MIA, and Mint Hill.
To the north of the memorial, a large sign is visible from the road. It includes an inscription and the seals of each branch of the armed forces: the army, the navy, the air force, the marine corps, and the coast guard.
Marker: CHAPTER 265, / NC KOREAN WAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION / WISHES TO THANK / COLONEL BILLY J REID AND / CAPTAIN DON PUTNAM / FOR THEIR UNTIRING EFFORTS IN MAKING THE / NC KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL / POSSIBLE TO HONOR ALL KOREAN WAR / VETERANS INCLUDING KIA AND MIA
Sign, North: NORTH CAROLINA / KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL / TO HONOR AND REMEMBER / ALL WHO SERVED / JUNE 25, 1950 - JULY 27, 1953 / AND BEYOND / “THEY SHALL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN”
Town of Mint Hill, N.C.
November 9, 2013
35.178920 , -80.633660
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"The North Carolina Korean War Veterans Memorial," www.youtube.com, published November 19, 2013, (accessed May 17, 2016) Link
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Dotson, Michele. “Mint Hill Dedicates Korean War Memorial,” RobertPittenger.com, (accessed February 23, 2015) Link
Lacey, Derek. “Korean War Veterans’ Memorial Nears Completion,” The Mint Hill Times (Mint Hill, NC), January 9, 2013, (accessed February 23, 2015) Link
Worf, Lisa. “North Carolina Now Has A Korean War Memorial,” WFAE.org, (accessed February 23, 2015) Link
“FAQs,” North Carolina Korean War Veterans Memorial, (accessed February 23, 2015) Link
“Korean War Memorial Gets Loan to Complete Project,” Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly, (accessed February 23, 2015) Link
“Korean War Memorials - North Carolina,” Korean War Educator, (accessed February 23, 2015) Link
“Mint Hill Ready to Unveil Korean War Memorial,” Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly, (accessed February 23, 2015) Link
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Yes
Granite, fiberoptic glass
Chapter 265 of the N.C. Korean War Veteran’s Association (Indian Trail, N.C.)
$900,000
Dozens of veterans and hundreds of others gathered at the monument for speeches and ceremony. The dedication began at 10:30 am, and included Mint Hill Mayor Ted Biggers, Mint Hill Town Council, Congressman Robert Pittenger, State Representative Bill Brawley, designer/architect Kent Goolsby, co-chair of the committee Don Putnam, and representatives from South Korea. The national anthems of both countries were sung, and retired US Navy chaplain Young Ha delivered the invocation.
This was the first memorial North Carolina devoted to the Korean War alone. The creator, Vietnam veteran and Silver Star recipient R. Kent Goolsby, is an architect in Charlotte, N.C.
The government of South Korea, local groups, individuals, and the town of Mint Hill all funded the project; an anonymous donor loaned the last $100,000, which is in the process of being repaid.
The memorial complex is located on land donated by the city of Mint Hill at 8850 Fairview Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227. The land was renamed Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park. The Purple Heart marker is located on a walkway to the right of the memorial.
The memorial is surrounded by flowering fruit trees.
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