Veterans Ministry Names Korean War Heroes for May
Late Staff Sergeant Kim Young-deok and French Lt. Col. Ralph Monclar honored for service
Quick Look
- The South Korean veterans ministry has designated late Staff Sergeant Kim Young-deok and late French Lt.
- Ralph Monclar as Korean War heroes for May in recognition of their wartime service.
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Why It Matters
The Korean War was a conflict between North and South Korea, with major international involvement, lasting from 1950 to 1953.
The veterans ministry on Thursday appointed late staff sergeant Kim Young-deok and late French Army Lt. Col. Ralph Monclar as the Korean War heroes of May in recognition of their service during the 1950-53 Korean War.
Kim, who enlisted in the South Korean Army in 1952 to serve in the 8th Infantry Division, died while fighting against Chinese troops to gain control of enemy lines in May 1953, according to the ministry. He was promoted by one rank and posthumously awarded the Hwarang Order of Military Merit, a primary military decoration.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Monclar held the rank of lieutenant general at the time of the Korean War, but he voluntarily reduced his rank to command the French battalion alongside the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division. Under harsh conditions, Monclar led his battalion during the battle of Chipyong-ni, where they had to go up against a massive wave of Chinese forces in Yangpyeong, east of Seoul, from Feb. 13-16, 1951. Monclar was awarded the Legion of Merit, a U.S. decoration awarded to citizens of other nations, in recognition of his achievements that led to the victory at the battle in 1952.
