The Korea Military Academy (KMA) held a solemn ceremony on October 25 to present the U.S. Silver Star Medal to the late Major Shim Il family, commemorating his exceptional valor during the Korean War. The event took place at Major Shim’s statue on the KMA grounds, attended by Superintendent Lt. Gen. Jung Hyung Gyun, key officials, and family representatives. The ceremony included a memorial service and a tribute by the academy’s cadet honor guard.
A KMA’s 8th class graduate in May 1949, Major Shim served as a platoon leader in the 7th Regiment’s anti-tank company of the 6th Division. During the Battle of Chuncheon, he displayed extraordinary courage, single-handedly destroying six North Korean self-propelled guns in close combat.
The United States awarded him the Silver Star Medal on September 16, 1950, in recognition of his heroism. However, due to the ongoing conflict, the medal was never presented to him. Promoted to captain, Major Shim was killed in action on January 26, 1951, while leading a reconnaissance company of the 7th Division.
After 74 years, the Silver Star Medal, the third-highest U.S. military decoration for valor in combat awarded to foreign soldiers, was finally presented to his family. To honor his legacy, the family donated the U.S. Silver Star, Shim’s Korean Army Shim Il Medal, and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs’ War Hero Commemorative Plaque to the Army Museum at KMA.
Shim Seung Taek, Major Shim’s younger brother and family representative, expressed his appreciation: “We are deeply thankful to KMA for organizing this memorial and for the return of the Silver Star, ensuring my brother’s sacrifice will be remembered.”
Superintendent Jung reflected on Major Shim’s sacrifice: “We express our deepest respect and gratitude for the noble dedication of our senior alumnus, whose actions secured the freedom and peace we enjoy today.” He added, “We are committed to instilling in our cadets the same patriotism and determination to defend our nation that Major Shim exemplified.”
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