United States Army Officer. The son of Korean immigrants, he is credited with sneaking behind enemy lines, capturing enemy soldiers and obtaining intelligence information that helped the Allied forces capture Rome during World War II. After the war, he returned to his hometown of Los Angeles becoming a successful businessman. At the start of the Korean War, he re-enlisted and became the first Asian American to command a regular United States combat battalion in a war. His efforts drove back the enemy and helped create a buffer between North Korea and South Korea. For his heroic efforts during the two wars, he won over twenty medals including, a Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, three Purple Hearts, a French Legion of Honor and Italian Military Valor Cross. France also presented him with its highest ward, the Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honor and South Korea honored him with their highest award, the Taeguk Order of Military Merit. After his military career, he helped establish the Japanese American National Museum and the Korean American Museum. He died in Los Angeles of cancer at the age of eighty-six.
United States Army Officer. The son of Korean immigrants, he is credited with sneaking behind enemy lines, capturing enemy soldiers and obtaining intelligence information that helped the Allied forces capture Rome during World War II. After the war, he returned to his hometown of Los Angeles becoming a successful businessman. At the start of the Korean War, he re-enlisted and became the first Asian American to command a regular United States combat battalion in a war. His efforts drove back the enemy and helped create a buffer between North Korea and South Korea. For his heroic efforts during the two wars, he won over twenty medals including, a Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, three Purple Hearts, a French Legion of Honor and Italian Military Valor Cross. France also presented him with its highest ward, the Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honor and South Korea honored him with their highest award, the Taeguk Order of Military Merit. After his military career, he helped establish the Japanese American National Museum and the Korean American Museum. He died in Los Angeles of cancer at the age of eighty-six.
Bio by: Bigwoo
Inscription
COL USA
WW II KOREA
VIETNAM
DSC SS & OLC
BSM PH & 2 OLC
100 BN 442 INF
GO FOR BROKE
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
See more Kim memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
