 Louis T ("Lou") Dechert
was elected President of the Korean War Veterans Association in the 2004 election and took office on July
27, 2004. The KWVA is a federally-tax exempt 501c(19) organization incorporated in the State of New York on
June 25, 1985 by 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. It is the oldest and largest US
veterans' organization relating to the Korean War and, later, Korean Service veterans. The KWVA played a
major role in the building of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, dedicated July 27, 1995.
President Dechert’s elected term is for two years. He ran for office with a group of candidates that was
committed to a reform program for the KWVA. All but one of the ”HILL 2004 Candidates” were elected. Lou led
KWVA Central Louisiana Chapter 180 in Leesville, LA for three years before being elected National KWVA
President. Lou is a life member of the KWVA, 101st Airborne Association (#87), Special Forces Association,
Association of the US Army (AUSA), Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Military Order of the Purple Heart. He also
belongs to the American Legion. He has served as a Department Commander in the Military Order of the Purple
Hearts and as a Division Service Officer in the American Legion, Department of Texas. |
