written by Narce Caliva

Korean War Veteran Narce Caliva enlisted in the Army in November 1948, attended Officer Candidate School (OCS), and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps in January 1951. He ultimately served in Korea as a platoon leader responsible for leading  convoys of up to 20 trucks delivering supplies, primarily diesel fuel, to units located further north.  He was stationed at Wonju. The harsh conditions of Korean winters, treacherous roads, and extremely cold temperatures made his role challenging. The primary dangers were the road conditions and weather, rather than enemy actions. Later, Caliva became a national director in the Korean War Veterans Association and an advocate for sharing the lessons of his experiences with younger generations.

Narce participated in our recent conversation about the term “combat veteran.” He also emailed his thoughts, shedding light on an issue that once divided the Korean War Veteran community. His recollections appear below.

I enjoyed last night’s Monday night discussion regarding combat veterans. I noted that the Korean War wasn’t mentioned, and that perhaps many are not aware that there exists a sort of internal distinction between “Korean War Veterans” and “Korean Defense Veterans.”

“Korean War Veterans” were there during the formal hostilities (1950-53). “Korean Defense Veterans” served after the Korean War Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.

But it’s even more complicated than that. The Korean War Service Medal is awarded for those who served to July 27, 1954, a year after the Armistice was finalized. The Department of Defense defines the “Korean War Era” to be from September 3, 1945 to the first of January 1955.

In 2002, the DoD began awarding the Korean Defense Service Medal, to those who have served since the Armistice. After all, the war is not officially over. The Armistice is a ceasefire, not a treaty. This makes the Korean War the longest war in US history.

I understand that in the earliest days of the founding of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) in 1985, discrimination against the Korean Defenders (those serving after the Armistice) was rampant in some local chapters.

I’ve heard stories that some chapters at that time made Defenders sit in the back or on one side of the room or didn’t allow them to vote on local matters. These stories of such snubs are all second-hand and unconfirmed. I never personally witnessed such treatment, nor do I know anyone who did witness them. But I’m inclined to believe some incidents did occur.

My local Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the KWVA didn’t have any discrimination, but the distinction between War Veterans and Defense Veterans still exists. We who were in the war wear caps and medals that say “Korean War Veterans,” while our fellow members wear “Korean Defense Veterans” caps and medals. A few can wear both, if they were there before and after the Armistice.

My personal view is that we are ALL Korean War Veterans. I know that the Defense Veterans are for the most part equally as proud of and valued for their service in Korea. I consider them all my brothers-and-sisters-in arms. After all, hostilities have continued after the Armistice in 1953, with over 2,000 casualties along the DMZ. The combined Republic of Korea (ROK)-US Forces continue to be on high alert.

Labels are both useful and not. We in Winchester, Virginia, have one of the closest KWVA chapters to Washington, DC, and the Republic of Korea Embassy occasionally calls upon us to supply Korean WAR Veterans to come help welcome high level dignitaries from Korea who want to meet KWVs.

Likewise, when the National Memorial Day Concert is held, we’ve been invited, and have appeared on stage. Ten years ago when I was chapter commander, I could easily summon 8 or 10 or 12 War veterans to participate. These days we struggle to send 4 or 5, due to dwindling membership. I attend funerals frequently. This week I have turned 95  and am now the oldest member in our chapter of 80 active members (fourth largest chapter) –about half KWV and KDV.

I might add that there is also a KDVA (Korean Defense Veterans Association) started a few years back, whose primary mission is to promote the US-ROK Alliance. Unlike the KWVA, which is really a volunteer operation, the ROK government fully funds all KDVA activities in the US and Korea and has a staff in the DC area. Further, the last and current National KWVA Commander is a Defense Veteran, as is our Chapter #313 Commander, Doug Hall, who is in his third term. Doug was a USAF NCO at Osan Air Base in the late 1980s.

These days KWVA has several types of members: Regular veterans, Legacy (descendents), and Associate (anyone who has an interest in Korean veterans or Korea, etc.).

Narce Caliva is Secretary, Judge Advocate, and Past Commander of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter #313, KWVA (Winchester, VA). He’s also Former Member, National KWVA Board of Directors 2016-21.