The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York held 'Korea-U.S. Friendship Night' at the Korean Cultural Center New York on Oct. 19. The Taegeuk Order of Military Merit was posthumously awarded to the late U.S. Army Pfc. Charles R. Johnson, who was killed in the Korean War, and Consul General Kim Sang-ho read the certificate aloud and presented it to his family. The event capped 'Korea Week,' which began Sept. 21.
A U.S. soldier killed in the Korean War has been awarded the South Korean government's highest military decoration 73 years later. On Oct. 19, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York held 'Korea-U.S. Friendship Night' at the Korean Cultural Center New York in Manhattan and presented the family with the certificate for the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit, posthumously awarded to the late U.S. Army Pfc. Charles R. Johnson.
President Lee Jae-myung conferred the medal, and Consul General Kim Sang-ho read the certificate aloud at the event. The Taegeuk Order is the highest class of Korea's military merit decorations. The medal was accepted by family members on his behalf.
A 20-Year-Old Automatic Rifleman Steps Out of the Bunker
Pfc. Johnson was killed on June 11–12, 1953, while defending Outpost Harry in the Iron Triangle. He was a Browning Automatic Rifle gunner with Company B, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, and was 20 years old at the time.
According to the citation, though wounded by a shell and grenades that scored a direct hit on his bunker, he gave first aid to soldiers more seriously hurt than himself and dragged them to a safer bunker. When he could hold out no longer, he went outside the bunker and put himself between the enemy and his comrades. The citation records that up to 10 men survived because of it. On Jan. 3 last year, then-President Joe Biden posthumously awarded him the Medal of Honor at the White House.
"Recognizing those who sacrificed for their country says a great deal," a representative of the family said, according to Newspim. "On behalf of the family, we are grateful, and we proudly accept this honor."
New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim, who attended, said, "Because of Charles Johnson's sacrifice, many of us are able to pursue our dreams in this state and in this country. Without the veterans, we would not be here."
Four-Week 'Korea Week' Wraps Up
The event also marked the close of 'Korea Week,' which began Sept. 21 and ran for four weeks. Co-hosted by the Consulate General and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, it featured performances, exhibitions, food events, forums and community programs across New York and New Jersey under the theme 'Together Toward Tomorrow.' It also aimed to reflect on the friendship the two countries have built, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Kim spoke about Korea-U.S. friendship, quoting the poem 'The Visitor' by poet Jeong Hyeon-jong.
Plaques of appreciation were presented to individuals and organizations that have contributed to Korea-U.S. friendship. One was awarded posthumously to former U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel. He served in Congress representing New York from 1971 to 2017, was a Korean War veteran and remained a friend of Korea for decades, working to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Plaques were also presented to Salvatore Scarlato, president of the New York State Korean War Veterans Association; Kim Kyung-kyung, founder of the Andrew Kim Memorial Foundation; and the Korean Nurses Association of New York.
New Jersey Assembly Deputy Speaker Ellen Park said, "Looking at K-pop, K-dramas, K-beauty and K-food, it's fair to say the letter K has become one of Korea's most successful exports."
New York City Council Member Linda Lee thanked first-generation immigrants, saying, "Because of your sacrifices and all you have poured into the community, we are able to run for public office and choose careers our parents might not have wanted for us."