November 11, 2010 (Thursday) - Smyrna, GA - Veterans Day 2010 - This 2010 Veterans Day event will focus on the Korean War. 11 am to Noon. The location will be the Brinkley Park in Smyrna. Speaker – Ben S. Malcom. Colonel Malcom is known throughout the Armed Forces as laying the foundation for today's Special Forces Operations.
He commanded a Special Operations and unconventional warfare unit behind enemy lines in North Korea during the Korean War. The operations were all 'Top Secret' and not declassified until 1990.
The overall operations fell under the direction of the United Nations Partisan Infantry Korea ( UNPIK ), also known as the White Tigers; the units were under the control of Eighth United States Army, Korea's 8th Army G-3 Miscellaneous Group, 8086th and 8240th Army Unit.
Malcom's unit worked deep inside North Korea to gather intelligence, conduct raids and sabotage, rescue POWs, recruit and lead guerrilla armies and create confusion in the enemy's rear. His unit and others are widely seen as the second steppingstone towards the setting up of a permanent Special Forces doctrine in the US Army.
On October 21st, 2005 the History Channel released a one-hour documentary film on Col. Malcom's book "White Tigers-My Secret War in North Korea" which is part of a new series called "Heroes Under Fire" and is a true story about the Special Forces and CIA Operations during the Korean War.
Ben's military career lasted for 29 years in the U.S. Army, leading soldiers from platoon to brigade level. He commanded a battalion and also served as G-3, Plans and Operations officer with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. He also commanded a brigade in the 2nd Infantry Division, Korea. He later worked as a staff officer in the Pentagon for 6 years. His final active duty position was as a Garrison Commander of three U.S. Army installations: Fort McPherson, GA., Fort Gillem, GA and Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.
The Colonel is highly decorated, holding the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Aviation Badge, Airborne Badge, and 4 awards of the Legion of Merit. Ben lives in Fayetteville, GA with his wife, Joyce.
Location: Smyrna Veterans Day 2010 Location on Google Maps. Rain location is nearby at the Smyrna Community Center; see Smyrna Veterans Day RAIN Location.