South Korean Train Driver accepts US's highest civilian honor.

A South Korean train driver who died at a rescue operation of US division commander at Korean War, got recognized for his service after 62 years by US Department of Defense(USDOD).

On 26th, the ROK-US Combined Forces Command(CFC), on behalf of USDOD, held a ceremony for the late Kim Jae-hyun(picture left). U.S forces granted Kim`s family 'the U.S. Defense Treasury`s special civilian award', which is the highest award for civilians. Kim is the first South Korean to receive the honor.

Kim joined the rescue operation for Gen. William Dean of the U.S. 24th Infantry Division, with 33 US Special Forces on July 19, 1950. The operation was to rescue Gen. William Dean who was left alone at an enemy site when Daejeon fell to North Korean forces, and also to collect military supplies from the trains in Daejeon region. The operation required train, so Kim volunteered with his colleagues at Daejeon Railroad Office, Hyun Jae-young and Hwang Nam-ho. It was a dangerous mission but he thought that someone had to do it.

The operation ended in failure. Kim was heading for the Daejeon Station on a train with 33 U.S. special forces on board, but was attacked by ambushed North Korean soldiers. They narrowly arrived at the station but could not find Gen. Dean. On the way back, they were fatally attacked and 32 US Special Forces and Kim died. Gen. Dean was held captive near Daegu on Aug 25, 1950, and returned after the war ended on Sep 4, 1953.

Kim died at military operation, but because he was a civilian, he was not acknowledged for his services properly. The Korea Railroad set up a statue of Kim near tracks at Daejeon and Secheon stations in 1962. He received recognition for his service to the country in 1975, and was granted a presidential citation in 1978. His body was placed at the National Cemetery in 1983.

USDOD confirmed with Kim's story recently, and after consulting with Korean Ministry of National Defense's 'Korean War Task Force Team', USDOD decided to grant him 'the U.S. Defense Treasury`s special civilian award'. It wat 62 years after Kim's death.