Korean War Veterans Eligible for Medal

Korean War veterans who served in the Korean Theatre of War in 1950-53 may apply for the Ambassador for Peace Medal that is being provided by the Republic of Korea.

Dave Anderson, former commander of Post 218, Washington, The American Legion, is handling applications for the medal. His telephone number is 636-239-7013. His address is 4056 Brookview Drive, Washington, MO 63090. He has information about the eligibility requirements. Anderson has been awarded the medal.

The Missouri Department of the Korean War Veterans Association is taking the lead in informing veterans of this medal. Officers of the association presented the medal to two Washington veterans at the Korean War monument in Krog Park last Friday. Bernie Hillermann and Bill Miller, Sr., received the medal. Both are life members of the association and served in Korea during the war. They learned of the medal when attending the recent membership convention of the association in St. Louis.

Two national directors of the association presented the medals to Hillermann and Miller. They are E. Frank Williams, O’Fallon, who also is the state commander, and Jim Fountain, Florissant. They have urged that a Washington chapter of the association be chartered. It takes only 10 veterans to form a charter.

A committee of Korean War veterans raised funds for the Korean War monument in Krog Park in the 1990s, but a chapter was not organized at that time. Hillermann and Miller plan to help organize a chapter in early 2013, and to mark the 60th anniversary of the cease-fire July 27, 2013, with a program at Krog Park. The American Legion and VFW have been asked to participate, and any other veterans’ organizations will be welcome to take part. More information will be announed later.

There are eight chapters of the Korean War Veterans Association in Missouri: the Missouri Department, Kansas City, Jefferson County, North St. Louis County, the Harry Truman Chapter, St. Charles County, the Ozark Mountain Region, and Rolla.

The two national directors who visited here said the association is seeking passage of HB 5903, which would extend eligibility for membership in the association to all veterans who served in Korea after the cease-fire — up to today. Presently, because of the association’s tax status, the IRS has limited the number of postwar vets who can be members.

Members of the association receive the Graybeards magazine, official publication of the association, and other benefits. It is published six times a year. A life membership is $150.