Ceremony to honor vets of Korea, Cold War

Lou Kueltzo joined the Navy right after high school and spent his 18th year helping rescue downed pilots from the frigid winter waters off the coast of North Korea.

“The pilot in the cold water would last no more than 15 to 20 minutes, said Kueltzo, remembering how he and his shipmates aboard the destroyer USS Hazelwood DD-531 would put down a motorized whale boat and go to the rescue when they received a Mayday that a pilot was in trouble.

“The biggest concern we had back then were floating mines, said Kueltzo, a former petty officer who now lives in Aurora.

Kueltzo was proud of the work he did during the Korean War, but found it didn't get much recognition stateside.

“I was happy to be out, but I was disappointed about the welcome home, he said.

Never a declared war by Congress, the Korean conflict officially was described as a police action. Informally, it came to be known as the “The Forgotten War or the “The Unknown War.

The Naperville-based Korean War and Cold War Era Ceremony Committee is aiming to correct that lack of recognition this weekend by honoring veterans of the time period on the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War and of the Cold War.

A ceremony will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, in the Naperville North High School auditorium, 899 N. Mill St. The Naperville Jazz Band and Naperville North students will participate. The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton will provide early 1950s-era vehicles for the occasion.

Committee Chairman Wayne Fischer said planners are promoting the event to commemorate “America's Forgotten Victory.

“We hope to fill the auditorium there, he said.

The ceremony will honor veterans who served in the armed services between June 1950 and January 1955, no matter where they were stationed.

“Not everybody went to Korea, Fischer said.

Fischer, a Vietnam veteran and a member of both the VFW and American Legion posts in Naperville, said the two organizations have long talked about the need to honor Korean and Cold War veterans. Between 100 and 150 veterans from the era belong to the two Naperville veterans groups, he said.

“There is also a large number of veterans outside these two organizations, he said.

Veterans do not need to live in Naperville or belong to a veterans organization to participate in the ceremony, he said.

Kueltzo, 75, a member of VFW Post 3873 in Naperville, said he is glad to see the recognition finally coming.

“I'm excited about it, and I'm really proud of Naperville North High School taking a strong position, he said.

Kueltzo, who sometimes speaks of his wartime experiences in schools, said he finds students interested, but often uninformed about the Korean War.

“We lost almost 40,000 people, young men and women, in Korea. We want you to remember that, he said.

The planning committee for the recognition ceremony is asking Korean/Cold War vets and people who know veterans from that era to provide the name, rank, contact information, dates and location of service and, if available, a picture of the veteran in uniform and a current photo. Include a mailing address so photos can be returned.

The information may be e-mailed to korea.coldwar@gmail.com or sent to Carla Vahle, 3106 Reflection Drive, Naperville, IL 60564.

For details, contact Wayne Fischer at (630) 240-8868 or wayne.L.fischer@gmail.com.

If you go

<p>What: Ceremony to honor veterans of Korea and the Cold War</p>

<p>When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17</p>

<p>Where: Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St., Naperville</p>

<p>Cost: Free</p>

<p>Info: (630) 240-8868 or wayne.L.fischer@gmail.com</p>