Waegwan District War Monument

The spirits of the departed!
We saw and we heard and we will remember and we will keep dear in our hearts forever the bloody footsteps left on the peak of Mt. Yuhaksan and on the bank of the Nakdong river.

Brief History

At the beginning of august 1950, five divisions of the North Korean army were concentrated in the battle line of Dabu-dong street, Waegwan and commenced a general attack for the purpose of invading Busan city at a stride after occupying Daegu city until August 15th, in this battle the 1st U.S. Cavalry division fought a bloody battle against the North Korean army, which was making repeated attacks on Waegwan and its southern area. At length, the 1st U.S. Cavalry division successfully crushed the offensive force of the North Korean army, the enemy became impatient in this situation and commenced another general attack as a final step to breakthrough our defense line around Daegu city by the beginning of September. However. The 1st U.S. Cavalry division gave a fatal blow to the enemy with superior equipment, artillery and a bold counterattack. Finally, the main force of the enemy was crushed in the middle of september, thus, the battle line around Daegu city was successfully defended, and our historic general counterattack was commenced on September 16th at the defense line of the Nak-dong river in response to the operation for landing at Incheon port. The combat team of the 5th U.S. Regiment recovered Waegwan and Jago mountain on september 20th, matching over Geum-mu peak. On the other hand, the 24th U.S. Infantry division reached Sangju on September 23rd by way of Dabu-dong street, Waegwan, then, the cavalry division crossed the Nak-dong river and marched towards the north. In holding our final defense line along the Nak-dong river, the battle of Waegwan area was the fiercest, and the brave services performed by the U.S. Soldiers will never be forgotten.