Did you hear about South Korea honoring N.D. veterans?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 08:36:30 -0500

http://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/south-korea-honors-n-d-veterans/article_4e4551a1-7aac-5466-b0dc-6048a9e2309f.html
Did you hear about South Korea honoring N.D. veterans?

This was an old post that got lost in the Question to link conversion, but it was a good one - Enjoy!

Korean War veteran Dale Schindler, of Jamestown, shows the Bronze Star he received while fighting on the front lines in 1952. The medal at right is a Gratitude Medal for wartime service that is made of melted barbed wire from the Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea to this day.

Visitors from South Korea recently honored 18 North Dakota veterans, including a Jamestown man for service on the Korean peninsula more than 63 years ago.

Dale Schindler, 81, said he was fresh off his father’s Fessenden farm when he joined the U.S. Army in 1952. After basic training at Fort Riley, Kan., he was shipped to Fort Lewis, Wash., and was soon in Korea, where he served on the front lines until the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953.

“I was there 16 months,” Schindler said. “When they signed the truce in July, what they did was took us off the front and brought us back to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) that was the defense line at that time.”

The DMZ, which is 2.5 miles wide and 160 miles long, separates the Republic of Korea in the south from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the north. The Association of Korean National Foundation received the official medals from the Republic of Korea’s Department of Defense 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice commemoration ceremony in 2013.

South Korea honors N.D. veterans

Visitors from South Korea recently honored 18 North Dakota veterans, including a Jamestown man for service on the Korean peninsula more than 63 years ago.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Dec 6 at 2015 8:41 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 08:41:05 -0500

It's a kind gesture. But I personally believe that should be all right all of our veterans who fought for their freedom.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Dec 6 at 2015 11:17 AM

MAJ Alvin B. — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 11:17:44 -0500

Yes. The South Korean government has been trying to provide awards to all of the 1950 -1953 veterans for the past few years. It is a noble effort and I for one appreciate that they are making the effort to honor and remember those who fought for them.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 6 at 2015 3:29 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 15:29:20 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I did not specifically hear about South Korea honoring N.D. veterans. While I certainly am glad the South Koreans honored North Dakota veterans, I hope they truly honor the sacrifice of all American service men and women who fought on their behalf during the Korean War and for the military personnel who have been stationed in South Korea throughout the armistice.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Dec 7 at 2015 2:48 AM

COL Ted Mc — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 02:48:03 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Mikel; No I hadn't heard about it, but I thank you for posting it.

This type of honor is probably the most heartwarming type because it come from the people who were helped.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Dec 9 at 2015 9:07 AM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:07:01 -0500

Yes I did.

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Dec 9 at 2015 9:39 AM

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:39:50 -0500

Good on South Korea!!!, huge honor that strengthens the bond between our Nations.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 27 at 2017 9:45 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 27 May 2017 09:45:45 -0400

This truly a great tribute to those that served in during the Korean War.

Response by SPC Benjamin Hartog made May 27 at 2017 10:20 AM

SPC Benjamin Hartog — Sat, 27 May 2017 10:20:41 -0400

The Korean witnessed the most brutal fighting. For example, Colonel Don Faith of the 7th Infantry Division was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading his regiment out of a trap that was sprung by the Chinese Communist Forces. The award was posthumous. "This Kind of War" by T.R. Fehernbach is, in my opinion, the definitive book on the Korean war and should have a wide audience amongst combat veterans.

Response by SGT Robert George made May 27 at 2017 10:23 AM

SGT Robert George — Sat, 27 May 2017 10:23:19 -0400

I have a piece of barbed wire from the DMZ , South Korea's Thanks to all Veterans that severed there !!!!

Response by SGT Tim Fridley made May 27 at 2017 10:24 AM

SGT Tim Fridley — Sat, 27 May 2017 10:24:43 -0400

That is Awesome

Response by Sgt Daniel Martin made May 27 at 2017 10:59 AM

Sgt Daniel Martin — Sat, 27 May 2017 10:59:34 -0400

The time frame does not matter Korea Veterans faced brutal conditions and stood firm. Glad Mr. Schindler was given the honor he was due.

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made May 27 at 2017 11:56 AM

SPC Douglas Bolton — Sat, 27 May 2017 11:56:27 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I was in Korea. I rode with a courier up to the DMZ. I was allowed to go to the front outpost on the edge of the line for our side. You said the DMZ was only 2.5 miles wide. I believe it. I was given binoculars. I looked across the DMZ and saw a North Korean soldier looking at me with his binoculars back at me. I am sure he was wishing I was dead, but I am still here. This story is in my book, "Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of life."

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made May 27 at 2017 12:22 PM

Capt Dwayne Conyers — Sat, 27 May 2017 12:22:53 -0400

My dad and uncles fought there. One uncle was KIA… I have his People Heart.

Response by MAJ Alan Reiter made May 27 at 2017 12:37 PM

MAJ Alan Reiter — Sat, 27 May 2017 12:37:50 -0400

The South Koreans hold in reverence those American Veterans who fought during the Korean war just like the Chinese and French hold in reverence those American Veterans who fought for China and France during WWll.

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made May 27 at 2017 1:23 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:23:18 -0400

That is fantastic. The Korean War veterans are fading out quickly so it is great to get it done for living veterans.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2017 1:42 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:42:24 -0400

Thank you Col. !!! South Korea 'cares' about 'our' Veterans even if DC does Not !!! North Korea, HOORRAAH !!!!

Response by Sgt John H. made May 27 at 2017 2:06 PM

Sgt John H. — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:06:40 -0400

Thank you South Korea and most of all, Thank you Dale Schindler. We are honored to know of your gallant service.

Response by MSgt Ronnie Kelly made May 27 at 2017 2:14 PM

MSgt Ronnie Kelly — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:14:32 -0400

Lost an uncle in the fighting, never found his body or as I later learned not enough of his or the rest of his platoon to figure who was who or what was who.

Response by Sgt Albert Castro made May 27 at 2017 4:17 PM

Sgt Albert Castro — Sat, 27 May 2017 16:17:09 -0400

Now how cool is that? Kudos South Korea.

Response by SPC Kayle Benedix made May 27 at 2017 4:45 PM

SPC Kayle Benedix — Sat, 27 May 2017 16:45:01 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Thank You for posting this. I hadn't heard about this but I'm glad they were honored like this.

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made May 27 at 2017 5:38 PM

SP5 Robert Ruck — Sat, 27 May 2017 17:38:01 -0400

What a wonderful gesture. I believe of all our allies probably the Koreans appreciate us the most.

Response by CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw made May 27 at 2017 9:05 PM

CMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw — Sat, 27 May 2017 21:05:21 -0400

Outstanding!!! Need to hear more about The Forgotten War and The Chosen Few!!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2017 1:04 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 May 2017 01:04:31 -0400

Im in ROK right now, and the elderly South Koreans up in Area I, all seem to have nothing but thanks for american soldiers.

Response by SFC James Shanks made May 28 at 2017 2:14 PM

SFC James Shanks — Sun, 28 May 2017 14:14:35 -0400

My first duty station was Camp Casey Korea. I learned so much history while being there. I have a special place in my heart for all of the heroes in that war, and all other wars.

Response by SPC Bill Earl made Jun 1 at 2017 2:57 PM

SPC Bill Earl — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:57:36 -0400

My father was in Korean war got two purple hearts!! He had a picture of the last day he was in Seoul and there was just a few buildings standing. I took pictures from same spot when I was stationed there in 87-88. He was just amazed at how much they built in the 34yrs since he was there. And definitely kudos to the South Korea government on the recognition. Now they just need to do something about the little nutsack to the North of them.

Response by CW3 Davis Newman made Jun 8 at 2017 7:56 PM

CW3 Davis Newman — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 19:56:20 -0400

Last year two members of my VFW post in Tennessee received medals from South Korea.