Dear Gunny G: Perhaps you can help me out, or point me in the
right
direction. A widow that lives in the same condo complex as I do
in Naples
Fl., and who is aware that I am a former Marine that served in
the South
Pacific during the 2nd World War, asked me if I could find the
owner and/or
owners of a vase in her possession. Her husband, a former 2nd.
WW Army
Officer was given the vase by a friend as a memento. The vase
was originally
a gift from the "Republic Of Korea" to a Marine Division, or a
Regiment, or
maybe a Company that was stationed in South Korea during 1962.
The following
is the exact inscription, misspelling included, that is on the
vase:
AS A TAKEN OF THE FRIENDSHIP
BETWEEN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS
AND THE R.O.K. MARINE CORPS

PRESENTED BY

LT COL. CHO JON IK
MAJ. KOE CHEUL HOON
MAJ. KIM GWN SOON
MAJ. LEE HAI WUN
MAJ. YOON JU KWON
MAJ. YOO SI CHONG

AUG 6. 1962

Pg. 1 of 2 (2nd page tomorrow 4/4/00) Please reply to
HJ17W18@AOL.COM

Dear Gunny G: This is page 2 of 2; the continuation of the
e-mail sent on
04/03/00.
The vase has an oriental motif; is 10 1/2" high; 7" diameter at
its widest
area. The vase appears to be copper; the exterior has a black
baked or
sprayed enamel finish and slightly pockmarked where the base
copper was not
entirely smooth before the base black finish was applied; this
is only in 2
or 3 small areas. The front exterior has what appears to be two
birds - one
a peacock, and the other????. Also, 2 butterflies and 2 flowers,
I think the
birds, butterflies and flowers are embossed with "mother of
pearl" and
"mica". The "mother of pearl" and/or "mica" appears to have
been fired in a
kiln. The back of the vase is black and devoid of any
ornamentation, except
the 11 lines of printing. The lettering is done with some type
of gold
paint; one quarter of an inch high; upper case; hand lettered
with a fine
brush. My friend thinks the vase could have a sentimental
and/or intrinsic
value to a Marine Association or group of Marines that served in
Korea during
that time frame. She is willing to donate the vase to some
organization that
was actively involved with the R.O.K. Marines in 1962. If any
readers have
served in Korea during 1962, and have any information, please
contact
Herbert R. Smith at e-mail HJ17W18@aol.com
I have a couple photos of the vase that I can mail to someone
interested
and/or with info on this vase. Thank you Gunny G for your help.