Major Sung Gwan-sik from Gwangju Selected as 'April's Korean War Hero'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Regional Veterans Office announced on the 2nd that the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs selected Seong Gwansik (1928.5~1958.9), a Marine Corps Major from the Gwangju area who made significant contributions such as securing key strategic points for our forces around the Imjingang River during the Korean War, as the ‘April Korean War Hero.’

Major Seong, born in Gwangju in 1928, graduated from Suwon Agricultural College in March 1951 and was commissioned as a Marine Corps second lieutenant on July 1, 1952, during the height of the Korean War.

During a period when the front lines between enemy and friendly forces were stalemated and fierce battles for hill control and trench warfare were underway, he served as the platoon leader of the 2nd Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, confronting Chinese Communist Forces along the western front near Jangdan.

In September 1952, when the Chinese Communist Forces launched a large-scale human wave attack on the 36th Forward Outpost around Sacheon River in Jangdan, Major Seong blocked the enemy’s reinforcements with artillery support from the regiment.

He then engaged in intense grenade and close-quarters combat with the enemy who had advanced into the communication trenches, successfully defending the position.

Even when the trench collapsed due to enemy shelling, burying him and five of his men, he desperately found a radio to resume communication, enabling friendly artillery support to annihilate the encircling enemy forces and successfully defend the position. He made great contributions to securing a key strategic point on the main line of resistance around the Imjingang River.

After the armistice, he devoted himself to training new recruits at the Marine Corps Training Unit and played a leading role in establishing the Marine Corps Aviation Unit in 1958.

In September 1958, he died in the line of duty at the age of 31 due to an unfortunate accident during flight training. The government posthumously promoted him one rank and awarded him the Eulji Military Merit Medal in honor of his service.

To honor Major Seong, the Gwangju Regional Veterans Office named the auditorium on the 2nd floor of the Government Gwangju Regional Joint Office Building the ‘Seong Gwansik Room’ in 2016 and is actively promoting the patriotic achievements and contributions of local heroes from our region throughout the Honam area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.