Forgotten Wars and Forgotten Battles

Photo credit: nationalww2museum.org / German Federal Archives

Guy Black
Recipient, Medal of Civil Merit (Republic of Korea)
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This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid in 1942, when the allies tested the enemy with an amphibious landing on the French coast. Almost 5,000 Canadian soldiers took part in Operation Jubilee, and only 2,200 made it back.  The Normandy battle in 1944 saw the lessons learned from Dieppe put to good use, but Canadian war dead tallied over 5,000. The Korean War followed five years after the end the Second World War.

Today, it is seldom remembered but the valor of our Canadian veterans shines brightly with the people of South Korea who have not forgotten the 516 Canadian service men who died defending their country.

The Government of France and the Republic of Korea would like to thank Canadian veterans for liberating their countries. The National Order of the Legion of Honour and Ambassador for Peace Medals are available to eligible veterans.

If you are a Second World War veteran who participated in the campaign to liberate France from D-day June 6, 1944, to the end of August 1944, or Dieppe in 1942, you may be eligible for France’s highest award.

The Korean government is looking for Korean War veterans who participated in the Korean War, 1950 to 1953 or the peacekeeping phase that lasted until the end of 1955. Korea’s Ambassador for Peace Medal may be awarded posthumously unlike the Legion of Honour.

Please contact me for further information or assistance in applying for these two important medals. There is no cost involved. I am an unofficial volunteer who has helped more than 800 veterans receive these awards. Send an email to Korea19501953@Yahoo.com and use the subject “Veteran” or send a letter to 1028 Moray Street, Coquitlam, BC V3J 6S3.

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