Identification Tag of Turkish Soldier Killed in Korean War Returned to Family After 74 Years

The identification tag of a Turkish soldier lost during the "38th Parallel Offensive" is returned after 74 years

The identification tag of a Turkish soldier who fought and died as a member of the United Nations forces during the Korean War has been returned to his family after 74 years.

On June 19 (local time), the Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification announced that Director Lee Geunwon visited Mersin, Turkey, and delivered the identification tag of the late Turkish Army Private Mehmet Calar, who was killed in action at the age of 22 during the Korean War, to his maternal niece, Emine Cetin.

Director Lee, representing the government of the Republic of Korea, also presented the "Ambassador for Peace" medal, which was created to honor and express gratitude and respect for the sacrifices of Korean War veterans, offering comfort to the bereaved family.

Originally, this event was scheduled to take place at the Akdeniz Regional Command of the Turkish Navy, stationed in Mersin. However, considering the health condition of the bereaved family member who is battling cancer, Director Lee and the unit commander, Rear Admiral Ali Tuna Baysal, visited the family’s home in person.

The identification tag returned to the family on this day was a personal belonging recovered in April last year by the agency during the excavation of remains around Guksabong in Naechon-myeon, Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. After reviewing various documents, it was confirmed that the tag had been issued to a Turkish soldier. By using the engraved number "3113" as a clue and requesting information from the Turkish Embassy, it was determined that the owner of the tag was the late Private Mehmet Calar.

The late Private Mehmet Calar was killed in action on April 14, 1951, and his remains are interred at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan. Although it is unclear under what circumstances only the identification tag was left at the scene of battle, it is presumed that it was lost during fierce fighting, considering that the location where the tag was found was the site of the 38th Parallel Offensive (March 22?April 22, 1951).

Director Lee stated, "Even though the remains of the fallen soldier have already been recovered, we delivered the identification tag to the bereaved family to honor the noble spirit of sacrifice of the Turkish soldiers who fought and died fiercely in a foreign land," adding, "We will continue to do our best to return even the smallest and most precious belongings of the heroes who gave their lives for the Republic of Korea to their families."