DMZ Awards
to Foreign (Non-U.S.) Recipients

Table of Contents:

• Korean Recipients - Army Commendation Medal
• Korean Recipients - Bronze Star Medal
• Korean Recipients - Soldier's Medal
• Royal Thai Army Recipients - Bronze Star Medal

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Korean Recipients - Army Commendation Medal

Lee, Jae Kook (with V device for heroism)

Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 69 - 5 November 1968

Private First class Lee Jae Kook, KA11719083, Republic of Korea Army, who distinguished himself by heroism while on operations against an armed hostile force while serving as a member of Company A, 3d Battalion, 23d Infantry, 2d Infantry Division.  At approximately 0510 hours on the morning of 15 August 1967, Private Lee was a member of an anti-infiltration barrier position among the Korean Demilitarized Zone when he heard movement which was later determined to be three armed North Korean agents.  Private Lee and the other patrol members allowed the enemy agents to advance within effective range, at which time Private Lee threw grenades and delivered an intense and accurate volume of rifle fire upon the enemy.  Private Lee's aggressive actions materially assisted in bringing about the death of two North Korean agents and the recovery of enemy weapons and grenades.  Private Lee's heroic action in the face of enemy provocation is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, the United States Army, and the Republic of Korea Army.

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Korean Recipients - Bronze Star Medal

Cho, Jong Bu (Bronze Star Medal with V)

Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 31 - 30 September 1964

Sergeant Cho Jong Bu, Republic of Korea Army, distinguished himself by heroic achievement while engaged in military operations against an opposing armed force on 13 November 1963, in Korea, and serving as a member of the United Nations Command Component of Joint Observer Team Number 4.  Sergeant Cho displayed fortitude, courage, and military discipline when the unarmed and properly identified Team was fired upon without warning by hostile forces as it was conducting an inspection of the Military Demarcation Line markers and safe lanes in accordance with the Armistice and subsequent agreements.  To escape the onslaught of heavy machine gun and rifle fire, the Team members sought cover in icy waters near the north bank of the North Han River where they were pinned down for four and one-half hours.  Upon approval of his superiors and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Cho relinquished his covered position, stood up, and bravely advanced in the direction of the heavy gun fire in an attempt to indicate to the hostile forces that they were firing on an agency of the Military Armistice Commission.  Although these efforts were futile, he continued to demonstrate his determination and, at dusk, recovered a boat which the Team had been using and assisted his Team members in reaching a place of safety.  Sergeant Cho's heroic conduct and outstanding performance of duty in this hazardous situation reflect great credit upon himself and the military service of his country.

Choi, Byon Jin (Bronze Star Medal with V)

Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 31 - 30 September 1964

Captain Choi Byon Jin, Republic of Korea Army, distinguished himself by heroic achievement while engaged in military operations against an opposing armed force on 13 November 1963, in Korea, and serving as a Member of the United Nations Command Component of Joint Observer Team Number 4.  Captain Choi displayed fortitude, courage, and military discipline when the unarmed and properly identified Team was fired upon without warning by hostile forces as it was conducting an inspection of the Military Demarcation Line markers and safe lanes in accordance with the Armistice and subsequent agreements.  To escape the onslaught of heavy machine gun and rifle fire, the Team members sought cover in icy waters near the north bank of the North Han River where they were pinned down for four and one-half hours.  Throughout this grueling ordeal, Captain Choi inspired the Team with his brave efforts to indicate to the hostile forces that they were firing on an agency of the Military Armistice Commission.  Although these efforts were futile, he continued to demonstrate decisive leadership and determination by organizing and directing the recovery of the Team members and, at dusk, assisted them in reaching a place of safety.  Captain Choi's professional competence, heroic actions, and outstanding performance of duty in this hazardous situation reflect great credit upon himself and the military service in his country.

Hong, Chung Eui (Bronze Star Medal with V) (posthumous)

Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 31 - 30 September 1964

Major Hong Chung Eui, Republic of Korea Army, distinguished himself by heroic achievement while engaged in military operations against an opposing armed force on 13 November 1963, in Korea, and serving as a member of the United Nations Command Component of Joint Observer Team Number 4.  Captain Hong displayed fortitude, courage, and military discipline when the unarmed and properly identified Team was fired upon without warning by hostile forces as it was conducting an inspection of the Military Demarcation Line markers and safe lanes in accordance with the Armistice and subsequent agreements.  To escape the onslaught of heavy machine gun and rifle fire, the Team members sough cover in icy waters near the north bank of the North Han River where they were pinned down for four and one-half hours.  Although seriously wounded, Captain Hong demonstrated complete disregard for his own personal safety by his brave efforts to indicate to the hostile forces that they were firing on an agency of the Military Armistice Commission.  Despite the grueling ordeal, he remained in the cold water and continued to render assistance for escape operations until he succumbed after being mortally wounded.  Captain Hong's unselfish actions, heroic conduct, and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service of his country.

Jang, Myung Ki (Bronze Star with V) (posthumous)

General Orders No. 5 - 26 April 1985

For action 23 November 1984.  PFC Jang.

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Korean Recipients - Soldier's Medal

Kim Myhung Keun

Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 33 - 26 July 1967

Sergeant First Class Kim Myhung Keun, Republic of Korea Army Soldier, assigned to and serving with Detachment Center, United States Army Military Advisory Group, Korea, did, at about 1530 hours on 20 December 1966, in Chun Chon, Korea, distinguish himself through an act of heroism by voluntarily risking his life to assist in rescuing a nine years old Korean boy from drowning in the ice swollen, turbulent So Yang River.  While crossing the So Yang river bridge at the northern edge of the city of Chun Chon, in the company of Captain Richard L. Treas, United States Army, he noticed an exciting crowd of people gathering along the bank of the river on the south side of the bridge.  Closer observation revealed the object of excitement to be a small Korean boy who had broken through the ice incrustation and fallen into the river, clinging desperately to a chunk of floating ice.  Not knowing the thickness of the ice or the depth of the river, SFC Kim, along with Captain Treas, disregarded his personal safety and voluntarily risked his life by proceeding immediately to rescue the Korean lad.  Breaking the ice and being lunged into the river himself, Sergeant Kim forced his way against the strong current of the turbulent stream, wading and swimming as the dept of the river changed, breaking the ice with his fists ahead of him and fending off chunks of ice with sharp and jagged edges until finally he reached the child at near midstream.  Sergeant Kim and Captain Treas then forced their way back to shore, carrying the near frozen lad to safety.  Once again on shore, the lad was handed over to a Korean National policeman for immediate evacuation to the nearest hospital for urgently required medical care.  Through this act of heroism, Sergeant Kim reflected much credit upon himself, the United States Army Advisory Group, Korea, and the Republic of Korea Arm.

Yoon, Chi Yung

Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 38 - 31 July 1968

Corporal Chi Yung Yoon, KA11491197, Republic of Korea Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry, distinguished himself in the rescue of a woman from drowning in the Imjin River near Libby Bridge, Korea, on 20 March 1967.  While on duty as a guard at Libby Bridge, Corporal Yoon noticed a woman floundering in the river approximately 40 feet from the river's edge.  Although Corporal Yoon cannot swim, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he immediately waded into the deep, treacherous river channel, and unaided, brought the woman to safety of the river bank and administered artificial respiration.  The woman was thus saved from certain drowning.  This spontaneous and voluntary act of heroism by Corporal Yoon in the face of extreme personal danger from the rain-swollen river is in keeping with the highest traditions and spirit of the Republic of Korea Army and the United States Army in that he was willing to make the supreme sacrifice to preserve the life of another.  Corporal Yoon's quick response in an emergency situation, without regard for his own personal safety, reflects great credit upon himself, the 2d Infantry Division, and the military service.

Royal Thai Army Recipients - Bronze Star

Attanand, Col. Kriang Krai

Headquarters, Department of the Army
General Orders No. 7 - 14 February 1958

Citation not yet found.