Our Founding
Korean War Veterans Association — KWVA MOH Don C. Faith Chapter #222
The Story of the KWVA
The Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) is a federally tax-exempt organization that was incorporated in the State of New York on June 25, 1985, at the principal address: 302 Middletown Road, Waterford (Saratoga County), New York. The KWVA is registered under the identification number "EPTL No. 03-78-18" in the Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
Its original founder was Mr. William T. Norris of New York, a member of F Company, 27th Infantry Regiment (Wolfhounds), 25th Infantry Division, when he served as a sergeant in the Korean War.
On July 26, 1985, about 56 men met in Arlington to discuss forming the KWVA. They left the hotel in Arlington to attend a ceremony to recognize the first issue of the United States Post Office's new Korean War veterans stamp. When they returned to the hotel, 40 of the veterans held a second meeting at 2 p.m. to actually enroll and pay membership dues as the founding members of the KWVA.
As a point of clarification, 39 members have often been listed as the founding members of the KWVA. However, a fortieth founding member came in a little late at the 2 p.m. meeting (Ralph E. Butler) on July 26, 1985, and he paid his membership dues at that time.
A history of the forming of the Korean War Veterans Association was written by its founder, William T. Norris. The history can be found on pages 26 and 27 of the March/April 2003 Graybeards (official magazine of the KWVA).
Seven Founding Purposes
According to the incorporation papers, the corporation was formed for seven purposes:
To organize, promote and maintain for benevolent and charitable purposes an association of persons who have seen honorable service during the Korean War at any time between June 25, 1950 and January 31, 1955.
To grant charters to groups of members at large of the Association.
To provide a means of contact and communication among the members of the Association.
To promote the establishment of, and to establish war and other memorials commemorative of any person or persons who served in the Korean War.
To aid needy Association members and their wives and children, and the widows and children of persons who were members at the time of their death.
To establish and maintain a national headquarters.
To do any and all things necessary or proper for the accomplishment of the foregoing business and objects of the Association.
Founding Officers
William T. Norris
President
Mario Scarcelletta
1st Vice President
Arthur Patterson
2nd Vice President
William Coe
Director
John Herbert
Treasurer
Kenneth Dame
Director
Arthur L. DeVoe Jr.
Director
The 40 Founding Members
The roster of the original 40 founding members is listed here to honor them.
Current Registered Agent
C.T. Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011