Axe Massacre Incident
[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] A U.S. soldier who served in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) during North Korea's Panmunjom Axe Murder Incident in August 1976 has visited South Korea.
On the 22nd, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced that 60 UN and Korean War veterans and their families, who risked their lives to protect the freedom of the Republic of Korea, will set foot on Korean soil ahead of the 72nd anniversary of the Korean War.
The event, held under the theme "Welcoming Heroes in the Name of the Republic of Korea," invites 41 veterans and their families from nine UN participating countries and 19 overseas Korean veterans and their families. The event will take place from the 23rd for five nights and six days.
In particular, David Penaflo (68), who is visiting Korea this time, is a descendant of a "heroic family" whose father and two uncles were Korean War veterans. He served as a U.S. soldier in the DMZ during North Korea's Panmunjom Axe Murder Incident (August 18, 1976).
British veteran Victor Swift (88) served as a British Army corporal from 1953 to 1954 and fought fiercely in battles such as the Battle of Hook, one of the fiercest battlefields of the Korean War.
The oldest invitee, Australian veteran Gerald Shepherd (96), served as a seaman second class in the Royal Australian Navy from June to October 1952 and participated in battles such as the Battle of Haeju Bay.
Korean War veteran Lee Cheon-bong (95), residing in California, USA, will visit Korea as a "veteran couple" with his spouse, veteran Noh Jae-duk (91), who served as a nursing officer.
Jacob Trenter (21), a cadet currently studying at a Canadian military school and staying in Korea as an exchange student at the Korea Military Academy, will also join this revisit program. Trenter's great-grandfather, the late George Trenter, died in the Battle of Gojangsan Hill 355 in northern Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, in October 1951 and is buried at the Busan United Nations Memorial Cemetery.
The revisiting veterans and their families will attend various events including a veterans' consolation gathering on the 24th, the 72nd anniversary central event of the Korean War, visits to the War Memorial of Korea, the Blue House, Imjingak, a memorial at the National Seoul National Cemetery, and a gratitude banquet hosted by the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
The UN veterans revisit program began in 1975 to honor and express gratitude on behalf of the Republic of Korea government for the noble sacrifice and dedication of UN veterans of the Korean War. To date, 33,445 people from 22 countries have been invited.
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