'You will always be our hero'

WORLAND – Nearly 60 years after their time served, several local Korean War Veterans were recognized with peace medals for their service in the “Forgotten War.”

Four Worland veterans traveled to a ceremony in Lander on June 30 to receive the Republic of Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal for their time overseas in Korea, in the waters around Korea or in the skies above Korea.

The Wyoming Veteran’s Commission contacted an unknown number of Wyoming Korean War veterans to receive the medal presented by Consul General Shin Chae-Hyun of the Korean government. (The commission will not release the names of veterans until permission from the veteran or next of kin is granted.)

On June 30, the Wyoming Veterans Commission had ceremonies in Cheyenne, Casper and Lander to recognize and congratulate the medal recipients for their service. Governor Matt Mead, Major General Luke Reiner and Veterans Commission Vice Chair Lee Alley joined Chair Linda Allgeier and Shin Chae-Hyun to congratulate the veterans for their service.

The medal, gifted with an official proclamation, is engraved with the saying, “You will always be our hero.”

According to the Wyoming Military Department, “The commemorative medal is presented as an expression of appreciation from the Republic of Korea government. Initially presented to those Korean War veterans who returned to South Korea through the Revisit Program, the honor has since expanded to veterans who can no longer travel to Korea.”

A press release from their website added, “Qualifying dates of service are from June 27, 1950, through Jan. 31, 1955.”

Some area Korean War veterans honored with the Republic of Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal include:

—Donald Neihart served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 – 1952. Neihart was originally stationed in Coronado Island in California and was then sent to Korea where he was an electrician – third class.

As one of the four who went to Lander, Neihart said the ceremony was packed and included a movie about Korea, and he added he was grateful for the recognition and ceremony. “We all enjoyed it. Everyone clapped for each one of us as we were introduced individually,” Neihart said.

—Jay Mangus served in the U.S. Army for eight years, and spent 15 months in Korea from 1953- 1954 as a radio operator and communications chief rank of sergeant. Mangus said, “It was quite an honor and I appreciate the Korean government for doing that for us.”

– Donald Hoffman served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 – 1955 as a boatswain mate – second class, and served four years of ready reserve after his time in the Navy.

—Harold Coe, a U.S. Navy veteran, served on the coast of Korea from 1952 to 1953.

—Joe Maya served in the U.S. Army for the Infantry from 1952 – 1955. He could not attend the ceremony in Lander but will receive a medal although his wife Ruth said he has not received it at this time.

The commission said they would make alternative arrangements for those who could not attend any of the ceremonies.

Reporters note: Above names were provided to the Northern Wyoming Daily News on a volunteer basis from the area veterans or veterans’ families. Please contact the Northern Wyoming Daily News if you received a medal and would like to be recognized.