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Published
by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. CLICK FOR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY
Sunday, September 23, 2001
Local Korean War veterans given medals
Grateful South Korean government recognizes soldiers of the 'Forgotten War'
By Guy H. Lawrence
Caller-Times
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George Tuley/Caller-Times
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Graciela Reyes, widow of Korean War veteran Arturo Castillo Reyes, who died in 1986, accepts the Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal on behalf of her late husband. U.S. Marine Capt. Brian Coyne presented the medals, authorized by the government of the South Korean republic last year on the 50th anniversary of the war.
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Veterans of what some have called the Forgotten War have another medal to remember the Korean War.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars John N. Timon Post 2397 had a ceremony Saturday to honor some 30 Korean War veterans and their families. During the ceremony, veterans received the Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal, which was authorized last year as part of the 50th anniversary of the conflict.
Area vets given the Korean War Service Medal
The following veterans were honored Saturday night for their service to their country:
Jose Aguilar
Adan Alaniz Jr.
Aurelio Alfeo
Doug Allen
Jimmy W. Bradley
Lyle Henry Bradshaw
Edward S. Brantes
Otis Carson Brown Jr.
Richard D. Burton
Abel Castro
James R. Covington Jr.
Feliciano DeLeon
James Dowlearn
Ramiro Esquivel
Charles K. Fix
Adan Flores
Manuel L. Flores
Armando Lozano Garcia
Jose A. Garcia
Manuel Rodolfo Garza Jr.
Jesus Hernandez
Jose Antonio Hernandez
Abel Trevino Martinez
Raul Martinez
Bruce B. McMahan
Raul Mendez
Isidro Munoz
Florentino Ortiz Ramirez
Vicente R. Ramirez Jr.
Reynaldo Reyna Jr.
Manuel Bernal Rodriguez
Jose Emigdo Salinas
Louis Pilar Soto
Lawrence D. Taylor
David Carroll Weldon
Robert Ybarra
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Post Commander Al Garza told the veterans that receiving the medal now was more meaningful in light of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
"You, more than anybody, know that freedom is not free," Garza said.
An estimated 1.8 million U.S. solders served in the Korean War and are eligible for the medal, which is issued by the South Korean government. Veterans also received a certificate during the ceremony.
Medals presented
U.S. Marine Capt. Brian Coyne presented the medals to the veterans. Coyne talked about the exploits of the 1st Marine Division during the Korean War, and said he could only think of two words to say to the veterans.
"Thank you," Coyne said. "Thank you for your faithful service to our great country and thank you for paving the way for future Marines like myself."
Veterans Douglas Allen, 69, and Florentino "Kelly" Ramirez, 72, were members of the 1st Marine Division. That division took part in Gen. Douglas MacArthur's landing at Inchon in 1950 in a move designed to recapture South Korea's capitol of Seoul, and to help turn back North Korea's attack that extended down the peninsula.
Even though the war has been referred to as a police action, to those like Allen, who was in South Korea from September 1950 to April 1951, every bit of it was like any war. The landing at Inchon was rugged because of the rough waters and high walls they had to scale, Allen said.
"For the ones of us that were there, it was not a police action," Allen said.
A total of 36,570 service members died in battle and another 7,140 service members were prisoners of war.
South was invaded
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when the North Korean army of 135,000 men invaded South Korea. The war ended on July 27, 1953, when the United States, China and North Korea signed an armistice.
To this date, North Korea and South Korea have not signed a peace treaty.
Allen said it is an honor to be recognized by the South Korean government.
"It is a thank-you for more or less saving their country. That is what it boils down to," Allen said.
Ramirez stayed in South Korea up until December 1950, because he suffered frostbite. He said this medal gives him nine medals for his military service, including a Purple Heart and a medal for service in China.
In Korea, Ramirez said that nine other residents of Corpus Christi were in the different units of the 1st Division. All of them made it back, but he saw his fair share of death.
"Some of my buddies got killed," Ramirez said. "It was pretty scary. I am not going to lie."
Contact Guy H. Lawrence at 886-3792 or at lawrenceg@caller.com
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