The vast majority of Americans ...know that to keep their own nation free, they bear a majestic responsibility for 

freedom through all the world.

 Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1952

 

Staff Sergeant Kyu H. Chay, USA, was born in 1972 in the ancient South Korean city of Daegu. Today, 

the city of his birth is a modern bustling Asian metropolis. In the summer of 1950, however, Daegu was 

in grave peril. The city stood on the edge of what would come to be known during the Korean War as the 

Pusan Perimeter. Despite sustained Communist attacks, the Allied forces would hold the line, due not 

only to the bravery of the troops, but also to the daily intelligence reports their commanders received on 

communist intentions. 

Twenty-nine years after the successful defense at Pusan, Kyu and his family left the “Land of the 

Morning Calm” for America and eventually settled in the New York village of Mount Kisco. As he grew 

to adulthood, Kyu took great pride not only in his South Korean heritage, but also in the fact that he had 

become an American. 

In time, Kyu graduated from the State University of New York, Albany, and attended the Brooklyn 

School of Law. However, in January of 2001, in the same spirit as the defenders of Daegu in 1950, Kyu 

would forego his law studies to devote himself to the cause of freedom and join the U.S. Army. For a time, 

he considered pursuing a commission, but his goal was to become an accomplished linguist and the only 

way to get guaranteed instruction in that kind of military specialty was to enlist. After initial training at 

Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and advanced language studies at Monterey, California, he was assigned to 

the 313th Military Intelligence Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Force in war is the ultimate weapon. But in addition to force, a 

nation, in order to prevail in wartime, must also consistently develop 

the capability to obtain the critical information of its adversaries while 

protecting its own. Knowing enemy intentions not only increases the 

odds of victory, but also raises the chances that those in harm’s way will 

one day be able to return home to their families.

 SSG Chay, due to his background in Special Forces, was an 

accomplished warrior; moreover, he was equally adept in the world of 

linguistics and cryptology. From his earliest days of language training, 

he exhibited a passion to hone his craft. Many times while stationed in 
remote areas, his fellow soldiers would complain of boredom. 

SSG Chay, however, welcomed the downtime, seeing it as just another 

opportunity to study with the aim of improving his linguistic talents. 

In 2002, the United States, in response to the attacks on 9/11, 

launched a series of daring operations, known as Operation 

ENDURING FREEDOM, to destroy terrorist forces within 

Afghanistan. Initially, coalition efforts in Afghanistan succeeded 

against a wide array of terrorist forces, but by 2006 regions such as 

Uruzgan saw a troubling resurgence in Taliban activity. This surge in 

enemy activity required an equally compelling response.

SSG Chay deployed with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in support of 

Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The Battalion, known as the “Desert Eagles,” performed brilliantly 

and was recognized for its aggressiveness on the battlefield as well as its 

humanitarian efforts. 

On October 28, while on patrol in the Uruzgan region, the vehicle 

SSG Chay was traveling in hit an IED, killing him and bringing to an 

end the life of a dedicated father, soldier, and patriot. He left behind 

a devoted wife, son, and daughter who were the very foundation and 

essence of his existence.

In the summer of 1950, the fledgling nation of South Korea had sought 

America’s help in beating back a ruthless enemy. Due to the sacrifice 

of so many individuals, the dream of a free South lived on. In the same 

way, in the summer of 2002, SSG Chay sought to return the favor through his courage, bravery, and 

unparalleled sacrifice. His life was cut short, but his success as a citizen, a father, and a soldier has left an 

indelible mark that will long be remembered by those lucky enough to have known and worked with him. 

 In 1952, General Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed that if elected president he would “Go to Korea” 

to “enlist in the greatest cause of my life, the cause of peace.” Similarly, through his selfless and courageous 

decision to support his adopted nation in time of war, in the end, SSG Chay remained true not only to the 

heroic legacy of South Korea, but to America as well. 

Staff Sergeant Kyu H. Chay

United States Army

31 January 1972 - 28 October 2006

Photos courtesy of the Chay family

Narrative - Patrick Weadon, Curator, National Cryptologic Museum

Graphics/Layout - Terri Askew, NSA Creative Imaging

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MEMORIAL DAY 2007