F-51 Pilot Captain Im Taeksun Named 'March 6·25 War Hero'

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu]The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced that Captain Im Taek-sun (1930.12~1953.3), an F-51 Mustang pilot in the Air Force, has been selected as the 'March Hero of the Korean War.'

During the height of the Korean War, he graduated as part of the first class of the Air Force Academy on July 10, 1951, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He served in the 21st Reconnaissance Squadron and the 15th Training Flight Squadron. On January 5, 1953, he was transferred to the 10th Fighter Squadron in Gangneung, where he piloted the F-51 Mustang and was tasked with attacking enemy positions.

At that time, Lieutenant Im Taek-sun embarked on his twelfth sortie to help defend Hill 351 in Goseong, Gangwon Province, a strategic point on the eastern front that had seen fierce battles for two years.

While destroying enemy fortifications on Hill 351 and entering again for a subsequent attack, his fighter’s right wing was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire, putting him in a life-threatening situation. The forward air controller on the ground urged Lieutenant Im to eject quickly.

However, he turned his aircraft’s nose toward the enemy and heroically perished along with his beloved fighter.

In honor of Lieutenant Im Taek-sun, the first Air Force Academy graduate pilot to die in combat, he was posthumously promoted one rank to captain and awarded the Eulji Military Merit Medal on April 20, 1953.