The University of Kansas made an effort to remember the Forgotten War on Saturday with the dedication of the recently installed Korean War Memorial on Memorial Drive.

The memorial, entitled “Korean Cranes Rising,” was installed on April 1. Jon Havener, a design professor at the University, created the copper sculpture of four intertwined cranes.

It stands surrounded by benches and a plaque that includes the names of the 44 students, staff, faculty and alumni who were killed in the war.

“It happily reminds me of an old Korean legend, which views cranes as symbols of nobility, serenity and peace,” said Jong Woo Han, a former KU student.

Two vintage military aircraft from the Korean War flew over Memorial Stadium and the Campanile to begin the dedication ceremony. Members of ROTC then posted the colors before the playing of the national anthems of both the United States and the Republic of Korea.

During the dedication, Chancellor Robert Hemenway told the story of Jack A. Davenport, a former KU student who was killed in the Korean War on Sept. 21, 1951, two weeks after his 20th birthday. Davenport was standing watch of a foxhole with another Marine and smothered a grenade with his body, saving his fellow Marine’s life.

“All of these students deserve our humbled thanks this morning and every morning,” Hemenway said. The memorial joined the University’s existing memorials, which include the Kansas Memorial Union and Memorial Stadium for World War I, the Campanile for World War II, and the Vietnam Memorial, in remembrance of those who gave their lives for freedom.

Jake Simonitsch, a Korean War veteran from Independence, Mo., who attended the dedication said he thought it was about time the Korean War was recognized at the University.

“They already had a Vietnam memorial, why not recognize the Korean War,” he said. “It was the same way in D.C. You have a wall recognizing Vietnam, but it wasn’t until about five years later they decided to do something about the Korean War.”

It wasn’t until 2003 that the University received an initial $30,000 gift to begin fundraising for the memorial.

The gift came from Yong L. Kim, chairman of QMD International in Kansas City, Mo. Kim, who was 12 when the war began, said he made his donation when he heard about the University’s difficulties in raising the money. He said he wanted to show his appreciation for what the veterans of the war did for freedom.

The University received the rest of the $120,000 needed to begin construction from other donors who live in the Kansas City area and Korea. Han, President of the SungKok Journalism Foundation in Seoul, South Korea, said his contribution to the memorial was small compared to sacrifices made by those who gave their lives.

Han spent three years at the University as a graduate student following the Korean War. He said he was glad he was able to contribute to the memorial in memory of those who died.

“Without their sacrifice, the South Korea we know today would neither exist nor enjoy the peace, prosperity, freedom and democracy it does today,” he said.