My Hero

That's my dad! A Korean War Veteran!

The Korean War (1950–53) was a military conflict between the Republic of Korea, supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and People's Republic of China (PRC), with air support from the Soviet Union. The war began on June 25, 1950 and an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953.

That was 57 years ago today.

The war was a result of the political division of Korea by agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War. The Korean peninsula
had been ruled by Japan from 1910 until the end of that war. In 1945, following the surrender of Japan, American administrators divided the peninsula along the 38th parallel, with United States troops occupying the southern part and Soviet troops occupying the northern part.

The United Nations, particularly the United States, came to the aid of the South Koreans repelling the invasion. In the United States, the war was officially described as a police action owing to the lack of a declaration of war by the US Congress.

Many have referred the Korean War in the United States as The Forgotten War and The Unknown War. The war ended in stalemate, but the issues concerned were much less clear than in previous and subsequent conflicts, such as the Second World War. I've always heard the Korean War was over-shadowed by the Vietnam War.

The most important thing is the Korean Veterans haven’t forgotten,
nor will they.

Dad was a Airman 1st Class and had many responsibilities for several different things such as refuling the aircrafts, maintenance, etc. Dad enlisted in the Air Force in June 1952 at the age of 20. He was honorably discharged in June 1956. After the war ended, Dad was stationed at the Saminara Air Force base in Tennessee.

After he completed his Air Force duty, he went into workforce and retired in 1990 after 34 years of service at Cummins Engine Company. He is a life member of the local VFW Post #1083 and serves alongside other Veterans on the funeral detail. Several Veterans do not get the honor they deserve, sad, but true.

I'm very proud of my Dad, a Veteran and my Hero!