During his visit to the United States, President Yoon Seok-yeol will have a thank-you luncheon with some 300 key figures from Korea and the United States.
According to the Presidential Office on the 23rd, the luncheon was attended by about 300 people who symbolize the past, present and future of the ROK-US alliance, including Korean War veterans, bereaved families of Korean War veterans, service members of the US Forces Korea, and key figures in the economic alliance between the two countries. do.
The Office of the President said, “President Yoon will pay tribute to the sacrifices of the Korean War veterans who devoted themselves to the freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea, and will talk about the history and meaning of the ROK-US alliance through the Korean War and the importance of the ‘ROK-US alliance advancing into the future’.” .
At the same time, “It will be a place to celebrate and appreciate the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance, including the meeting between Joseph McChristia Jr., the grandson of General Van Fleet, the symbol of the ROK-US alliance, and Mrs. Paik Nam-hee, the eldest daughter of General Paik Seon-yeop.” added.
General Van Fleet was the 3rd commander of the 8th U.S. Army during the Korean War (April 1951-February 1953) and was awarded the Order of the Republic of Korea, the Order of Silver Star, the Order of the Bronze Star, and the Order of the Purple Heart.
At the time, Van Fleet defended the front line despite the recommendation of his staff, “It is a war with no chance of victory, so we should withdraw to Tokyo.”
In addition, Navy Colonel Lee Hee-wan, who won the 2nd Yeonpyeong Sea Battle, Marine Corps Lieutenant Kim Jeong-soo, who was the commander of the artillery 7th company during the Yeonpyeong Island shelling, Choi Won-il, the commander of the ROKS Cheonan, retired Navy Colonel Choi Won-il, veterans in the war, and Sgt. Eight patriotic heroes, including Army Sergeant Kim Jung-won, K-9 self-propelled artillery blast injured soldier Lee Chan-ho, and Gimpo mine explosion injured soldier Lee Ju-eun, marine corps captain, will also attend the luncheon to shine. The president’s office explained, “This reflects the president’s strong will to not forget and take care of the soldiers who devoted themselves to the country.”
At this luncheon, President Yoon personally handed over the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit, Korea’s highest military service medal, to retired Army Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr. and Reserve Navy Colonel Elmer Royce Williams, and honored the late Baldomero Lopez. The lieutenant will be awarded the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit in the presence of his nephew, Joseph M. Lopez.
Colonel Ralph Puckett participated in the war on November 25, 1950 as a company commander (lieutenant) of the US 8th Army’s guerrilla company, defended the position of Hill 205 in North Pyongan Province six times and saved the lives of the soldiers, and Elmer Royce Williams in November 1952 After an engagement with 7 enemy MiG-15s, 4 of them were shot down, a feat unprecedented in the Korean War or the Vietnam War. prevented the sacrifice of his subordinates.
The Office of the President said, “It will be the first time in history that a president has received the Order of Military Merit in the field.
In addition, at this luncheon, the Defense Prisoner Of War/Missing In Action Accounting Agency plans to prepare a memorial table for US POWs and missing service members. This memorial table is a table with empty seats made with the hope that prisoners of war and missing soldiers will return someday. We will offer condolences to the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, Jason Park, a second-generation Korean war hero in Afghanistan, Matt Catingub, a descendant of a Korean War veteran, and Richard Yongjae O’Neill, a descendant of a Korean War orphan adopted by the United States right after the Korean War, ‘Neill)’s commemorative performance and an exhibition of 30 photos of special moments from the 70 years of the ROK-US alliance will add to the meaning of the thanksgiving luncheon.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.