Korean War — through the lens of Al Chang
By Kalani Wilhelm
Advertiser Staff Writer
Photo by Al Chang *Photo courtesy Al Chang
Hawai'i's veterans of the Korean War will honor one of their own this weekend as part of the observance of the 50th anniversary of the armistice that ended the fighting.
Two-finger poi — at a machine-gun station in Korea, of all places. Sgt. 1st Class Arthur McCologan of the 1st Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, is the GI scarfing it up. McCologan's delight over the mailed treat was one of Al Chang's photo subjects.
Master Sgt. Al Chang near the Han River, south of Seoul, as photographed in wartime Korea by an unknown cameraman.
Al Chang, 81, is one of the most decorated combat photographers of the Korean War. Chang's black-and-white images of Hawai'i's 5th Regimental Combat Team — one of the first units sent to Korea — gave people in Hawai'i and around the world a close look at what was happening on the battlefield.
"He recognized the importance of relaying back to Hawai'i family what their sons were doing and show the hardships they were facing," said Irwin Cockett, who was a private during the Korean War.
Cockett, now a retired brigadier general who heads the state Office of Veterans Services, has been a friend of Chang's for more than 50 years. He described Chang as a man who was always eager to be on the front line. Cockett recalls how Chang would always be one step ahead of the commander.
"If there was a moment to be captured, there would be Al Chang," Cockett said.
One of Chang's most notable photos of the war showed a soldier grieving over the loss of a lifelong buddy. The photo was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Chang's war photos appeared in Life magazine and Newsweek. He would later become an award-winning photographer for The Associated Press and National Geographic magazine.
Saturday • 9 a.m. — Korean Armistice Commemoration Parade down Kalakaua Avenue. The parade begins at Fort DeRussy and will end at Kapi'olani Park. Sunday • 10 a.m. — Ceremony for the 50th anniversary of end of the war, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). • 6 p.m. — Tribute to Korean War veterans, Waikiki Shell.
Today, Chang spends time at the Spark Matsunaga Center for the Aging at Tripler Army Medical Center. He had triple bypass surgery in 1996 and suffered a number of strokes.
Events mark 50 years of armistice
Chang's wife, Jacqueline, said he communicates mainly through hand gestures and facial expressions. She said his memory is keen especially when it comes to his photo subjects.
"Al always recognizes his pictures," she said. "He always will recognize his old war buddies."
She knows how excited her husband will be, so the tribute will be kept a secret from him until Sunday morning.
"He will be thrilled. He will greet them all with a big salute," Jacqueline Chang said.
