The late Colonel Kim Young-ok, a Korean-American who volunteered to enlist during the Korean War and became the first person of color in the history of the U.S. Army to become a combat battalion commander.
The U.S. Army Combined Military Service Center announced on the 17th (local time), “The late Colonel Kim Young-ok and Brigadier General Stanley Cherry were inducted into the Hall of Fame in the US Army Command and General Staff School on the 16th.” The Army Command and Staff Corps, located at Fort Leavenworth Army Base in Kansas, USA, was established in 1881 as an institution for training senior officers.
Colonel Kim is one of the ‘Top 10 Korean War veterans’ selected by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs along with the ROK-US Combined Forces Command to mark the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance. Colonel Kim, a Korean-American, was born in Los Angeles (LA) in 1919 and participated in World War II and the Korean War as an officer in the US Army.
After serving in World War II, he retired, but when the Korean War broke out, he re-enlisted and worked as a staff member at the 31st Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division, becoming the first person of color in the history of the U.S. Army to command a combat battalion. In May 1951, when the Chinese Army’s 2nd Spring Offensive continued, he led his unit to reach the south of the Hantan River (the Kansas Line) first among UN troops, making a great contribution.
After returning to the United States in September 1952, Colonel Kim received the Silver Star and Bronze Star for Military Merit from the U.S. government in recognition of his meritorious service, as well as the French Legion of Honor medal. The Korean government also awarded Colonel Kim the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit in 2005.
Colonel Kim also helped 500 war orphans during the Korean War, and after being discharged in 1972, he devoted the rest of his life to caring for victims of domestic violence, comfort women, and Korean adoptees. He passed away in December 2005 at the age of 86.
Professor Jang Tae-han, who translated the biography of Colonel Kim’s life, ‘Beautiful Kim Young-ok’, attended the inauguration ceremony and said, “The Army Command and Staff Corps is an institution where the most outstanding soldiers in the US Army come and receive education.” Being dedicated is the pride of Korean American history.” He said, “There are many officers from West Point (U.S. Military Academy) or ROTC (Student Military Training Corps) among second-generation Koreans, and I expect them to set a good example. .
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.