Buddy Search - Korean/Japanese/Amerasian Search
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| From time to time, the Korean War Educator receives queries from children of Korean War
veterans who are seeking their natural fathers. Thousands of Korean/American children were born as the result of
war-time relationships between American servicemen and Korean women. Although they likely exist, to find the
paper trail in the State Department associated with these relationships of fifty-plus years ago is, as one
former high-ranking military official told Lynnita Brown of the Korean War Educator, "like going to hell for
ice." During the Korean War, interracial marriages between American servicemen and the Oriental women of Japan
and Korea were strongly discouraged. For instance, Marine and Navy personnel seeking to wed an Oriental woman
had to apply for permission to marry via Vice Admiral Turner Joy. Thus began a daunting obstacle course that few
American men were willing or able to hurdle. Ralph Lucas (USN Ret), who was aid and flag secretary to the
commander of Far East Command, said that the paperwork that had to be filled out before an interracial marriage
could take place was—without exaggeration—an inch and a half thick. The would-be bridegroom had to supply health
information, family background information, and criminal records search results, among other things.
Lucas said that it generally took about 18 months for the paperwork to be completed and processed. "Every ‘T’
had to be crossed and every ‘I’ had to be dotted before the paperwork was approved," he recalled. American
military officials felt that some of the women that our nation’s servicemen wanted to bring back to the States
as wives were not "choice" women. Therefore, the approval of the paperwork was purposely stalled in military
channels as long as possible, hoping that the serviceman making the application would be transferred back into
the States before his application was officially approved. Once back in the States, most of them didn’t go back
to Korea or Japan to retrieve their intended brides. The expenses to do this were too great; and often, so was
family disapproval of interracial marriage.
[KWE Note: The first Korean War bride to arrive in the United States--was met with approval
and enthusiasm by her new in-laws and the community. Her name was Lee Yong Soon, wife of Johnie Morgan. It
took five months for the couple to receive government permission to marry. They were married on Valentines
Day, 1951, which was her birthday. A story about the Morgans appears in LIFE magazine, Vol. 31, No. 19,
page 4, November 5, 1951.]
If a marriage was permitted to take place, the service was generally performed by an American military
chaplain, and thus there would be an official marriage license registered with the United States government.
According to Mr. Lucas, marriages performed in Japan were usually officiated by an American military chaplain,
as well as a Japanese official who was authorized to perform marriages. Lucas said that marriages that took
place in Japan were registered in two places: the United States government and the equivalent marriage registry
department in Japan.
Whether a marriage ceremony actually took place or not is usually irrelevant to those Korean/American or
Japanese/American children who are now the grown offspring of wartime relationships. Like grown adopted American
children who want to find their natural parents (not necessarily because of financial reasons), these "products
of war" want to find and come to know their fathers. Due to the sometimes sensitive nature of the fact
that American GIs might have living Amerasian children who are searching for them, veterans who want to respond
to one of these inquiries may contact Lynnita Brown for discreet assistance.
This page of the Korean War Educator serves as a bulletin board for any Korean War veteran or the children of
Korean War veterans who are attempting to reunite. Provide whatever sketchy or complete information you have on
the American/Korean/Japanese relative you are trying to locate by sending it to Lynnita Brown. The information
will be posted on the Korean War Educator's Amerasian Search page in the hopes that a reader might someday be
able to help you in your search for answers. Amerasian Search opened on the KWE in May of 2003. Further research
into this subject is underway, so our Amerasian Search page is subject to addition and revision. As
always, your input is welcome and so are your repeat visits. -
Lynnita Brown
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The Searches...
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A1
As an 'Amerasian' I would very much like to have any information on how I can find my father. I have no
idea who he is but I am in hopes that records or names of Black Americans who served in the war would be a
task for sure but a start.
My thanks for all veterans of the Korean War and my regards for all families who lost a loved one to that
war.
T. Sumblin,
born, April 1952
A2
I am a son of my veteran father who married my Korean mother and brought me to the states. I have been
trying for years to locate my mother (last known area was Pusan). My father was not able to help me. Your
website inspired me to ask you this question. I understand if you cannot help. But I would greatly appreciate
it if you could direct me to an organization that can. Red Cross has not been much help and I'm running out of
resources.
Maxxfam
A3
Williams, Debra or Sandra Renee
I am searching for my cousin (half Korean/half black-American). She was born in Korean and is the
granddaughter of my aunt. She was born in February 1968 in Korea. Her father, my cousin, died last December,
but was still searching for her. He regretted having to leave her in Korea but he had no choice because during
that time he was not married to her mother.
Anyway, my family would like to find her in Korea and help her somehow if she needs that. At least she can
meet her grandmother and know that her black-American father never stopped thinking about her and trying to
find her.
She was named Debra or Sandra Renee Williams, but probably not listed that way in Korea. Her mother's name
is Hyun Yong Suk and she should be around mid to late 50's. My cousin was stationed at the Fox Trot Battery,
Delta Battery, Army Missile Base. His daughter's mother was living in Kyunggi-do, South Korea near the base.
Please pass this information on to anyone who could help me locate her.
Contact: Aleathea Wiggins at aleathea@hotmail.com.
A4
Dear Lynnita Brown,
First, I would like to thank you for providing such a service on the Korean War Educator web site.
I am searching for my natural father and mother. I was born July 31, 1976 to (I guess) a Korean mother and
a black American father. My given name was Ho Kyung Jin. I don't know much more since I was placed in an
orphan's home in Seoul. I grew up in France and live in London (UK) now.
Does anyone have any information about it or on where I could get started in my search? Please, do not
hesitate to call or email me.
Frederic Rezeau
Phone : + 44 (0) 208 810 4504
E-mail : frederic.rezeau@ifrance.com
[Posted 9/5/04]
A5
My name is John Loverich and I am 51 years old. I was born during the Korean War in December of 1953( in
Kyungnam) and adopted in 1956. I was put in an orphanage (Our Lady of Perpetual Help Orphanage).
I was wondering if there was any way I could locate my blood father. I was put in an orphanage by my father
on March 15th, 1954. My father left Korea during February of 1955. The orphanage was in Pusan Korea and my
name then was Song-yee, AN. I am not looking for anything but just would like to know who my father was. My
adopted parents have been great. Could you help me? For some reason the name John l. Shumaker was on some
paperwork I got from the dept. of Immigration several years ago.
John Loverich
10193 SH 53 W
Upper Sandusky, OH 43351
419-294-4781
dishxprt@udata.com
[Posted 1/22/05]
A6
Do you know who I could contact or where I could research to find a woman living in Korea whose father was
an American soldier? My boyfriend's father just died, and he told me recently that he had a half sister
in Korea. I am trying to figure out if there is any way to locate her so that her brother can know her
and tell her that their father has died and maybe offer her some information on her parentage and genealogy if
she is interested. She would be in her late thirties.
Contact: Sheri Bradshaw. E-mail dearstlove@hotmail.com.
[Posted 4/30/05]
A7
My name is Stine Lee Kruger, my real name is Tammy Lee. I was adopted when I was 6 years old from an
orphanage in Seoul Korea, to a little town in Denmark called Skanderborg. I was found on the streets of Seoul,
after running away from home because of my violent and abusive step-dad. The only thing I knew about myself
was my age and name, so the orphanage gave me a fictive birthday, the 24th of December 1977.
The name Tammy is American right? This could also be the name of my dad, or he could have named me....I
think. Is there any way that I can set up a search? Or what are my possibilities? Please contact me
mizzleekruger@hotmail.com, (680) 488 5770, P.O. Box 9071, 96940
Koror, Palau.
[Posted 7/11/05]
A8
I am the daughter of Ok Cha Chong, who is Korean, and Larry Brown, who is American. I am looking for
my father, whom I have never met. He was a Specialist 5 security guard in the Fourth Missile Battalion
in Korea in 1961-62. His parents lived in New Mexico during his tour in Korea. I also know that he
had a brother and sister.
(Click picture for a larger view) |
(Click picture for a larger view) |
Larry Brown was stationed at Moonhak-dong (F-4-44) in Korea. Please contact me if you are my father
or know of my father. Contact me through Lynnita Brown of the Korean War Educator
lynnita@koreanwar-educator.org.
[Posted 9/14/05]
A9
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There's a message on back of the picture saying, ''To my darling wife and my darling daughter. This was
taken last year, 1967.'' So the picture had been sent in 1968 by himself.
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I am a grandson of Harold Haun (could be Hahn, Honn, Hann, or some other spelling of the name) who married
to my grandmother Yoshie (I don't know her maiden name) around the time it was Korean war. I have been
trying for years to locate him, but not much info about him. All I've heard from my grandmother are unsure.
He was a corporal and worked as an MP in the Army in the Korean War. He got wounded on his arm and
evacuated stateside while war time. He has a daughter (who is my mom) and named her Shirley (guessing from
pronounce). He was around 22-23 when he got married to my grandmother and she was 23. He met her when she was
working at the PX.
Contact: Yusuke Hirano at harold_haun@hotmail.com.
[Posted 12/09/05]
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A10
I am sending this e-mail on behalf of my Grandfather. I'm not sure if you will be able to help but we
thought it was worth a try. My granddad served in the Korean war and was based in Seoul during 1951. He was
with the 29th or 28th (not sure) field regiment. (He was with the British army, but he is Scottish.) His
name is David Muir.
During this time my granddad spent a lot of time looking after a young orphan who only went by the name of
Pyo. My granddad would really love to track down this person if he is still alive. Pyo would have been
around 8 years old in 1951 and my granddad made him an outfit from some old army clothes. On leaving, my
granddad gave Pyo the deeds for the neighboring villages if this helps any. He also gave him numerous blankets
to sell in the town so he could make some money. We do have a very small photograph of this young boy but
unfortunately we cant scan it. If you could help us in any way we would be very grateful. I look forward to
hearing from you.
Contact: Karen Gracie KGracie@pkc.gov.uk.
[Posted 1/12/06]
A11
My wife was born in Seoul, Korea, 1960. Parents - mother Yong Cha Jung. Father Loyd Galin or
Galon, American soldier. She is not sure if he was Army or Air Force. She has a desire to know.
Contact: Glenn "Bubba" Steward, bubu818g@aol.com.
[Posted 4/19/06]
A12
We are looking for our cousins from Korea. Our Uncle William Tussey had two children with a Korean women
named Song. What little information that we have is that they and their mother Song lived in Youn Sang Ku,
Seoul, Korea in 1964. The boys' names are Eddie (Edward) and Billy (William) Tussey. They would be in their
50's now and their father is dead. I have a letter from the boys that is talking about going to Army chapel on
Sunday mornings. Any help on trying to locate them would be great.
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Contact: DClin10@aol.com.
[Posted 5/28/06]
A13
I am a resident from the Netherlands but I was born in Korea in 1973 and adopted by Dutch parents. My
father was a U.S. soldier and I have only recently discovered his name. He was stationed in the province
of Donggi-Hoo near Seoul in 1972. His name was Jimmy Briten. His name and birth date were found on
one of my traveling documents and only a mention that he was a US Army Professional Soldier. He was born
in 1953 and I assume was stationed in the Paju-Kun area in at least 1972, possibly before since that is where
I was born. He returned home to the USA in December 1972. I don't know where he resided at that
time or any time actually. He is an Afro-American. This is all very strange to me as you can
imagine. I don't even quite know how I feel about this.
Contact: L. Doer at looneydoer@hotmail.com.
[Posted 10/04/06]
A14
When I was 8 years old in 1960, my family lived next door to Nike Manor, an Army housing project in Renton,
Washington. During that time, my first best friend was Yvonne Morgan, daughter of Johnie Morgan and Lee Yong
Soon--the first Korean War bride. I recall Mrs. Morgan proudly showing me a copy of a news article with her
photo on it as she was the first Korean War bride. She spoke very little English then but I was frequently in
their home. In time, their family moved elsewhere and I lost track of my friend Yvonne, but I never forgot
her. I would love to be able to find my friend Yvonne but there are many Johnie Morgans in the US. Any chance
you might have current contact information about Johnie and Lee Morgan, so that I can again find my childhood
friend. Your website is the first I have found that mentioned Johnie and Lee Yong Soon specifically and you
made my day. Many, thanks. My fingers are crossed.
Contact: Marsa Dodson (formerly Martha Moenning when I knew the Morgan family in Renton). E-mail:
ivirua33@woosh.co.nz.
[Posted 07/09/07]
A15
I am helping my friend search for her birthparents. Her father was a black American soldier serving in the
Korean War. Her mother was Korean and relinquished her to the Holt-Korea Adoption Agency when she was about 5
years old in 1958. I have attached all of the information that we have. There isn't much! I was hoping that
you could direct us to somewhere that we could go to continue searching for her parents. She remembers a black
soldier when she was younger being around and we believe that it was probably her father, in which case he
would know about her. Any guidance you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Child's name at time of adoption: Kim Kathleen
Birthdate: November 15, 1953
Race: Negro/Korean
Admitted to Holt: August 18, 1958
Released by birth mother in Pusan
Entered Portland, Oregon October 19, 1959
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Special remarks: "Kathleen is one of the bravest, sweetest little girls I have ever known."
Nurse's comments: "Shy, pleasant child." "Sweet, alert child. Quiet." "Quiet manner.
Plays well with other children. Kinky black hair. Pretty smile."
Contact: Janae Jaynes Learned, 602-793-9000 Mobile, 1-866-475-1176 Fax;
janae@azhomesrus.com.
[Posted 08/11/07]
A16
I'm looking for my grandfather who served as a medic at the 121 General Hospital in Taejon, Korea around
1952. Unfortunately, I don't know his name but do have a picture of him. Does he look familiar to you? Not
having his name poses a big challenge in my search for him. I've been looking for him independently. I will be
starting a family soon and would like to know more about my grandfather, even if just his name.
Here's what I know about my grandfather:
- Served as a medic/servicemen in Taejon, Korea in 1951-52 working at the 121st General Hospital.
- Polish decent.
- Spoke German so he may of had an accent.
- He was about 23 years old in 1952.
- He had a scar on his hand.
- He worked closely with Major Stanley Friedman in the 40th Infantry Division "Fireball."
- My grandmother had a nickname for my grandfather. She called him (sounds like) "Alternecki." I'm not
sure if it's short for Arthur Neski? We've ran searches under different variations of the name she's
provided. He had a polish last name.
- When he first arrived to the U.S., we believe he lived in the Miami, Florida area and worked in a Polish
restaurant there.
If my grandfather's photo looks familiar to anyone, please let me know. If you have any other information
on how to get a hold of photo year book or suggestions on how to find a military family member by photo only,
I would love to hear from you. - Sincerely, Jeanne Clark,
jeanneyclark@gmail.com, Seattle, Washington
[Posted 3/21/09]
A17
I am searching for a half sister who got separated from our mother, a Japanese woman, in about 1955. She
was adopted by a Master Sergeant at the Johnson Air Base in Japan during the Korean War. She left Japan
with this man, his wife and an adopted Amerasian boy on their way to Corpus Christi Texas. I don't have this
man's name, but I know that he had red hair and his wife was a blonde-headed woman (Caucasian couple). My
sister is about 56 years old now. Her name was Yayoi Saito, but her name has been changed.
I want to thank you for the site that you and others have developed. I just discovered it today.
Contact: Sabrena Taylor, (415) 271-5424. Living in San Francisco, California. Born in
Galesburg, Illinois.
[Posted Easter Sunday, 2009]
A18
I'm Masami Nakamura from Japan, 33 years old. I am the grandson of an American soldier. I've
been working looking for my grandfather. I went to www.ancestry.com
DNA and www.koreanwar.org. I looked through huge files and
soldiers pics but I still haven't met my goal to find my grandfather. Now I'm asking for a writer for
the Stars and Stripes to put a picture of him and story in that newspaper. I am trying to find him with
DNA results. I found many, many cousins, but they don't have information. They might be my
father's side? I didn't say that to them. I'm looking for Mom's side anyway.
The only thing I know about my Grandfather is that his name was George. Grandmom's original name was
"Miharu" (first name) "Minami" (last name). My mom's name Is "Mariko" or "Mari." At that time In
Japan, women gave birth at their own house and people helped them. My mom's mom was not married to my
grandfather because they couldn't make it in the 1940s in Japan when people thought that Americans were the
"enemy."
They met in Kyoto (west Japan) around 1940 (?) to 1947 (?). My mom was born in 1948. A US Army
base was there. When my mom was 3 or 4 years old Grandfather went to war from House "Kyoto Japan."
He said, "I'll come back soon. See you later." Then never came back. After that Grandmom
stepped up to survive. She went to work far away from there. Grandmom asked her older sister to be
"stepmom" to my mom and my mom grew up in Grandmom's family (7 boys and 4 girls--big family, isn't it?).
Mom became the youngest sister. Very complicated. She became a Japanese citizen.
After 20 years my Grandmom found my "Step Grandfather." (She said, "I love him forever.") But
my mom was already grown up with a big family. She didn't want to be changed. Mom stayed very cool
about it. Then Grandmom and Step Grandfather went to California. Then "forever" my real Grandpa's
profiles, even full names, age. He died. Any information became very very "secretsy."
My Grandmom and my Stepgrandpa died in the early 90s in San Diego when I was 16 years old. Around
1993 Grandmom knew that she did not have long to live. Before she died she told Mom a little about Mom's
birth father for the first time and last time. Mom Knew nothing Before. She had been wondering her whole
life but everybody kept my Grandpop in secrecy. Now I'm here...
My mom's stepmom (Mom's aunt) is still alive in Kyoto. Age almost 90. She is the one last
witness now but she won't say nothing. I started searching Grandpa when I was 16 years old because that
time my mom told me who her father was. She told me how she feels about life. Her life.
She's so proud to be part of Americans. I'm so proud too!!
Now Year 2009. High Technology is going on. Website and DNA. We can reach my goal sooner.
I have a picture of my grandfather and my mom. I am 32 years old and I really want to find where my
grandfather is buried. We want to cry at our grandpa's cemetery before my mom dies. I cried to my
grandpa's picture, "I will find you." He's been waiting! Please everyone, I need your help.
I will never give up!
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Contact: Masami Nakamura, Japan. E-mail:
wildguyjapan@hotmail.co.jp.
[Posted 4/20/09]
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