Korean War UN veterans to receive highest medal of honor

U.N. War veterans who had participated in the Korean War in 1950 will receive the Taekuk Order of Military Merit, a highest honor medal, after 65 years. The recipients are Hector Cafferata, Thomas Hudner Junior, Edward John Mastronardi and William Speakman.

The Patriots and Veterans Ministry said Tuesday it will grant the medals to them on July 27 at an event commemorating the 62nd Anniversary of Korean War Armistice.

Cafferata, who was rifleman of U.S. Navy during the Korean War, protected his camp when it was under siege of Chinese communist army at the Jang Jin-ho battle, which paved a way for the miraculous swift-paced Hungnam evacuation, or an "amphibious operation in reverse.” Hudner Junior, who was a combat plane pilot in U.S. Navy, made a belly landing risking his life at the same battle to save his fellow soldiers.

Speakman had received a Victoria Cross medal, U.K.’s highest order of military merit. In 1951, he confronted the Chinese communist army nearby the truce line and defended the line of defense with hand-to-hand combat by throwing grenades. He visited Korea on invitation by the ministry in April, when he donated this Victoria Cross medal to Korea.

Mastronardi who joined war as first lieutenant of the Royal Regiment of Canada was at the Mt. Gowang battle in Gyeonggi Province in 1951 where he lost no soldier against the Chinese communist army.

The ministry will also hold an event from July 23 to 28 for U.N. war veterans by inviting some 150 of them and their family.