45th Infantry at Pork Chop Hill, Korea

by R.T. Foster

45th Infantry at Pork Chop Hill, Korea by R.T. Foster

The 45th Infantry Division (Thunderbirds) arrived in Korea in December 1951 and were first of two National Guard Divisions to see action in the Korean conflict. At the Jamestown Line along the Chorwon Valley, the 45th held their ground against the communist forces until the peace accord was signed in July 1953. The Thunderbirds spent 378 out of 429 days of combat in that location, and became familiar with places with names like T-Bone, Hill 223, Outpost Eerie, Hill 200, Alligator Jaws, and Pork Chop Hill as well as other sectors.

During the period from December 1951 to June 1952, the Division’s 179th and 180th Infantry Regiments fought repeatedly over Pork Chop Hill, a key piece of terrain which commanded the area. Even after the 45th Division was relocated to the Eastern side of the Korean peninsula, Pork Chop was still hotly contested.

45th Infantry at Pork Chop Hill, Korea by R. T. Foster was dedicated on February 26, 2003. The commission was managed by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc. The painting is located inside the North hallway of the Oklahoma State House of Representatives wing on the fifth floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol and can be viewed daily from 8:30-5:30 when the House is not in session.

The Artist

Artist R.T. Foster R. T. Foster, winner of Oklahoman's 1987 and 1991 Waterfowl stamp, is known for his acrylic, pencil and watercolor paintings. The wide-ranging subjects of his paintings vary from historical aviation and Civil War battle scenes, to North American wildlife, and much more.

The versatile self-taught artist began his professional career by doing freelance artwork and is currently employed as a visual information specialist at Tinker Air Force Base. Some of his larger aviation murals are on permanent exhibit at Warner Robins AFB, Wright Patterson Air Logistics Headquarters, the Oklahoma Air and Space Museum and Tinker AFB. In 1995, he was proud to be selected to design and draw the Arts Festival of Oklahoma poster.

Foster's tribute to President George Bush's Air Group 51, "The Last Full Measure," as well as a B-29 tribute "Night Over Nagoya" are in several aviation museums across the country, including the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, the San Diego Museum and others. Foster served 2-1/2 tours in Vietnam, one with the First Marine Air Wing. He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife and three daughters.