These partisan forces were used by the United Nations in the Korean conflict and were under the direct command of CCRAK ( Combined Command Reconnaissance Activities, Korea). These units were to become known as the 8240^th Army Unit Guerrilla Division of the Far East Command, Liaison Detachment of the United States Eighth Army.

These units were held on small islands off the North Korean coasts. They grew from approximately 6,000 to 23,000 members at the time of the Armistice signing. Trained and supplied by the United States Army, they aided the war effort in covert actions consisting of gathering intelligence, striking at Communists supply lines, engaging the Communists directly in combat and coordinating with the U.S. Air Force in its execution of the Evasion and Escape Program. This program, supported by the Partisans, rescued many downed pilots of the United Nation forces.

The records show that over one-third of the United Nations pilots downed over North Korea were rescued by these forces. It is estimated in a report on partisan operations, authored in 1956 by John Hopkins University and declassified in 1987, that the actions of these brave fighters kept over 100,000 enemy troops off the front lines, thus saving countless American and United Nations lives.

These operations were classified Top Secret during the conflict, and this secrecy was maintained until the late 1980s. With secrecy thus placed on their participation, these gallant patriots had no recourse either with the South Korean government or the United States government when promises negotiated at the time of their demobilization were not kept.

Fifty years later .... It is now time for these grievances to be addressed by the United States Government. Therefore, this initiative is directed towards recognition of these North Korean Volunteer Partisans for their heroic deeds and sacrifices while performing under the control and direction of the United States Eighth Army and the Far East Command.

With the ending of the war in mid-1953, the question of partisan status and demobilization became a critical issue. The Stuart-Sohn Agreement between CCRAK and the Republic of South Korea ( ROK ) Minister of National Defense ( a civilian entity ), effective August 16, 1953, attempted to address this issue. The agreement would have given the partisans the status of a ROK provisional unit ( 8250^th ROK AU ) under the control of the Minister of National Defense, not the ROK army. This agreement would have given the partisans legal status with awards and suitable ROK army rank. In addition, wounded Korean paramilitary personnel and the families of partisans killed in action would have received the same benefits provided ROK army personnel.

Up to this point the partisans were neither civilians or soldiers in good standing with the ROK Government. The signing of this agreement only led to further complications. On January 8, 1954, the ROK Government published an order transferring the 8250^th ROK AU into the ROK army, thus unilaterally abrogating this agreement. Just twelve days later, January 20, 1954, another order was published by the ROK Government transferring (discharging) the partisans out of the 8250^th ROK AU and replacing them with regular ROK army personnel. Without a man being physically moved the partisans were demobilized by the ROK Government. Although the U.S. Command at first objected to this form of demobilization, the U.S. Command two days later accepted the position of the ROK Government. Neither citizen nor soldier, the partisans were released on the streets of South Korea to an uncertain future. Under the U.S. Command their compensation had been two hops (handfuls) of rice per man per day. Promises were made - but unkept, their homeland lost and their rewards snatched from them at the last moment. The U.S. Command moved on to new duties and put the operation under the cloak of secrecy; a secrecy that has lasted 50 years.

Had the U.S. Military recognized the problem of partisan status earlier on and later been more forceful in ensuring the Stuart-Sohn Agreement be fully implemented by the ROK, we would not be facing many of these grievances today, but sadly, they did not. While considering the issue of compensation, one fact must be dealt with. These 50 years of waiting must be considered in the compensation formula for where in the proud history of the United States of America do we find any group of fighting men and women - PATRIOTS - required to wait 50 years for the most basic of benefits - recognition?

No form of compensation can ever recover 50 years of waiting. The cloud of secrecy must cast its shadow on any question of compensation. This need for secrecy imposed undue hardships on our brave comrades. Today some 19,000 of these brave souls have passed on without their day in the sun. Approximately 4,000 remain.

The appropriate U.S. agency should be tasked to work with the K.L.O. 8240^th Army Unit Veterans Association, USA, to determine both the form and value of compensations these partisan veterans deserve.

After 50 years, let us not lose this opportunity to honor these comrades-in-arms.

For further information, please email: Richard Taylor or voice-mail Mr. Taylor at (661) 836-3087