Park, Ki-buk: He participated in OSS / NAPKO operation in Korea with U.S. Army.

Before his entry to America in 1939, he entered Pai Chai school and studied at Yonhee, predecessor of Yonsei University in Seoul. When he arrived in San Francisco, he was denied  entry as he did not have a permanent resident status. However, when the Korean National Association verified his validity as a Korean national, he was allowed to remain. He enlisted in the U.S. forces in 1943 as part of NAPKO project under OSS (Office of Strategic Services) and after he was discharged, he settled in Reedley for the next 50 years as a living witness of the Korean immigration in the United States. He was in full charge of gardening at the Kim Brothers Company. He was a faithful and vital member of the Korean National Association. He had two children: Sylvia  Park  graduated from Harvard law school and practiced law while John Park worked for the Oxnard Coast Guard. In 1945, he was in special military operation at Catalina Island in Southern California when he heard about the Korea’s liberation from Japan. Park passed away in 1999 at the age of 84. In 1998, South Korean government posthumously recognized him with the Order of Merit of National Foundation / Patriotic People Award for his dedication and contribution to Korea’s independence by active service in the United States Army.

◀ Photo with Chung, Hyon-sok who was a picture bride in Reedley, California. (8/31/1983)