Image courtesy of www.koreanwarvetsmemorial.org
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking Korean War veterans for the Korean Ambassador of Peace medal. The Korean government would like to show its respect and gratitude for the devotion and sacrifice of U.S. troops during the Korean War by presenting the medals to veterans.
Sometimes called “The Forgotten War,” in part because its memory is often overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War, it began after some 75,000 North Korean soldiers poured into South Korea on June 25, 1950. By the time the war ended in July 1953, an estimated 5 million soldiers and civilians had died, including more than 700 from Alabama.
South Korea’s government began offering the medals in 1975 to veterans who visited the country through its “Revisit Program,” which was meant to show gratitude for the vets’ service, as well as see how the country has prospered since the armistice was signed.
In Alabama, there are 21,991 Korean War veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. But the state does not have a list of their names and addresses, so has to rely on word of mouth and local media to alert veterans to the honor.
Veterans should call 334-242-5084 to receive an application for the medal. A medal presentation ceremony will be held at a later date.
For more information, visit http://va.alabama.gov.
