Tomorrow is the Armistice Day... Honoring UN Forces Soldiers

Government Awards 8 Individuals Including UN Forces Veterans

An event honoring United Nations veterans who fought for Korea during the Korean War will be held on the Armistice Day.

According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on the 26th, the "Korean War UN Veterans Day Ceremony" will take place at 10 a.m. on the 27th at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul.

About 1,000 people will attend, including UN veterans and their families from 19 countries, war veterans, and diplomatic envoys from participating countries. At the event, Lieutenant Colonel Jung Joo-hee of the Army, granddaughter of a Korean War veteran and who served in international peacekeeping activities with the Dongmyeong Unit, will recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, and Derek McCauley, Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command, will deliver a greeting on behalf of the participating countries.

Government awards will be presented to eight individuals, including UN veterans. The first-class Taeguk Military Merit Medal will be posthumously awarded to the late Major Charles J. Loring Jr., a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. On November 22, 1952, after being shot down in the air, he deliberately dove his aircraft into enemy artillery positions, destroying them and sacrificing his life.

The late Colonel William Weber of the U.S. Army, known for saluting with his left hand after losing his right arm in battle, will be posthumously awarded the Eulji Military Merit Medal. The late Lieutenant Colonel Kriang Krai Atanan of the Thai Army, who led the victorious Chuncheon offensive in 1951 and rose to the rank of Field Marshal, will be posthumously awarded the Chungmu Military Merit Medal. Additionally, Sergeant Alberto Fernandez, originally from Mexico and who served with the U.S. forces, will receive the Chungmu Military Merit Medal for earning seven medals during the war. William Robert Black, president of the Ottawa branch of the Canadian Korean War Veterans Association, will receive the National Medal for his contributions to raising awareness of the Korean War in Canadian society.

The government will present the "Cheongryeojang" to 16 UN veterans attending the event as a symbol of respect and gratitude. The Cheongryeojang is a staff made from the plant Amaranth, historically symbolizing health and longevity from the Unified Silla to the Joseon Dynasty. A Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs official stated, "The prosperous and free Republic of Korea today stands on the sacrifices and contributions of 22 UN participating countries and 1.98 million UN veterans," adding, "We will strive to ensure that the bonds formed through participation in the war continue as stronger friendships and alliances."

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