The Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal is awarded to veterans who served during the Korean War from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. (Christine Spargur/U.S. Air Force)
PORTAGE, Pa. (Tribune News Service) — South Korea native Ben Chon waited at the American Legion in Portage Saturday to surprise Bill Grove, a 95-year-old Korean War veteran, with the Ambassador for Peace Medal from the government of South Korea.
“If it wasn’t for American troops like him, I wouldn’t be here,” said Chon, a local chaplain.
For the past 15 years, the South Korean government has been reaching out to all U.S. Korean War veterans or their families, honoring their dedication and sacrifice to make the Republic of Korea a strong and free nation by bestowing on them the Korea Ambassador for Peace Medal.
“Thousands have been received, but there are still so many who have never heard of it,” Chon said.
Chon and Grove hadn’t met before, but their histories are linked by the war.
Grove, of Portage, was a corporal in the U.S. Army’s 131st Transportation Group during the war.
He was a truck driver at night, delivering necessities. In that capacity, he was “sniper bait” for North Korean forces, said Doug Lingenfelder, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who served as one of the presenters during Grove’s recognition.
Today, at age 95, Grove continues making important deliveries — every day, he collects food and delivers it to homebound veterans, said Ron Shawley, executive director of Laurel Highlands Historical Village.
“Working with Bill reminds me patriotism is still alive today,” Shawley said. “Every day he’s driving around, picking up food then delivering it to homebound veterans. He’s a giver, a patriot.”
Grove also likes dancing.
He arrived at the American Legion under the impression he was going to have dinner and dance.
The surprise was organized by his family. There would indeed be dancing — but after he received the Korea Ambassador for Peace Medal from Chon on behalf of the Republic of Korea.
Chon, a chaplain who has lived in the United States for the past 45 years, was born in the South Korean city of Incheon years after his mother arrived as a refugee from North Korea during the Korean War.
At age 19, Chon’s mother boarded a U.S. ship among 100,000 refugees and 20,000 U.S. troops. They were soon surrounded by Chinese war ships, but rescued by 109 U.S. Navy ships.
Chon was the first person to greet Grove when he walked through the door at the American Legion Saturday, introducing himself as a native of South Korea.
Grove, quick on his feet, said, “I visited you 75 years ago.”
When Chon told Grove he was there to give him the Korea Ambassador for Peace Medal, Grove’s face showed that he was humbled.
After Grove got acclimated to the crowd of dozens of his family and friends greeting him with several local and state government officials among them, the formal recognition ceremony began with certifications of appreciation given to him by state Rep. Jim Rigby, R-Ferndale, on behalf of the state House of Representatives, Keith Rager on behalf of the Cambria County commissioners and then the Korea Ambassador for Peace Medal placed around his neck by Chon.
“I never expected anything like this,” Grove said. “What can I say? Thank you.”
The recognition brought back memories of the war, Grove said.
Chon has met many Korean War veterans in the past and has found that showing photos of South Korea’s transformation since the war in 1950 has a profound impact on them.
Korean War veterans still live with the nightmares and trauma of war, having returned to America long before the transformation, he said.
“We cannot change the past trauma, but we can give new meaning to the past,” Chon said.
Chon gave a presentation accompanied by photos of South Korea’s transformation.
Cities once filled with simple shacks and poverty are now vibrant, bustling cities with skyscrapers. The photos drew gasps of amazement from the crowd at the American Legion.
With a democratic government instituted with the help of the United States, he said, South Korea now boasts a title as the sixth strongest country in the world based on factors including economy, military and population while the communist country of North Korea has gotten poorer and weaker.
“It’s unbelievable,” Grove said.
Buoyed by the recognition, he was ready to dance.
All Korean War veterans, living or deceased, are eligible to receive the Korea Ambassador for Peace Medal, Chon said.
He encourages families of Korean War veterans to contact him at chonb815@yahoo.com or 208-602-1511.
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