Korean War Veteran Receives Military Medal After 70 Years

Navy Awards Military Decorations to Families of 10 Korean War Veterans

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu]Due to confusion and deaths during the Korean War, military merit medals that could not be returned to their owners were delivered to the families of veterans 70 years later.

The Navy announced that on the morning of the 24th, in celebration of the Month of Patriots and Veterans, it held a military merit medal award ceremony at the main parade ground of Gyeryongdae, Chungnam, and presented the Chungmu Military Merit Medal and Hwarang Military Merit Medal to the families of 10 veterans.

The veterans who received the military merit medals this time were the late Sergeant Park Yoon-sam, the late Staff Sergeant Song Il-in, the late Staff Sergeant Kim Il-nam, the late Staff Sergeant Yoon Jong-soo, the late Staff Sergeant Jo Jong-yeol, the late Staff Sergeant Kim Bong-jo, the late Corporal Jung Jae-won, the late Corporal Ahn Young-geun, the late Corporal Seo Soon-tae, and the late Private First Class Park Moon-beom.

Sergeant Park Yoon-sam served at the Naval Factory and Jinhae Control Unit during the Korean War, carrying out military supply missions, and Staff Sergeant Song Il-in served as a crew member of the Daedonggangjeong (JMS-309) during the war, contributing to the rescue of refugees and supporting Marine Corps landings.

Staff Sergeant Kim Il-nam served as a crew member of the Amnokgang (PF-62) and participated in the Battle of Sinmido, and Staff Sergeant Yoon Jong-soo, who was a crew member of the Jirisan (PC-704), participated in the Wonsan landing operation and was killed in action.

Staff Sergeant Jo Jong-yeol worked at the Incheon Guard Unit and the Navy Headquarters Medical Department, establishing wartime medical support systems and serving on multiple vessels including Guwolsanjeong (YMS-512) and Daedonggang (PF-63), while Staff Sergeant Kim Bong-jo served at Jinhae Hospital, dedicating himself to supporting the treatment of the wounded.

Corporal Jung Jae-won rescued about 500 refugees from Incheon Port, which was occupied by the enemy, while serving on the Ganggyeongjeong (YMS-510), and Corporal Ahn Young-geun, a crew member of Deokcheonjeong (JMS-310), contributed to sinking seven enemy ships near Wido, Gunsan.

Corporal Seo Soon-tae, who served at the Jeju Guard Unit and Navy Headquarters, and Private First Class Park Moon-beom, who served at the Mokpo Guard Unit, were recognized for their contributions to maintaining war sustainability.

At the award ceremony, Sergeant Song Yeon-wook of the Army's 3rd Division, who received the medal on behalf of his grandfather Staff Sergeant Song Il-in, said, "My grandfather, who devoted himself to protecting the country and its people over 70 years ago, is the greatest hero of our family," and added, "As a descendant of a veteran, I will devote the rest of my military service to my duties."

Meanwhile, through the 'Korean War Military Merit Medal Recovery' project, the Navy has identified a total of 63 recipients and has been directly delivering medals since last year.