Order of Military Merit (Korea)

Order of Military Merit
Awarded by  South Korea
Type Order of merit
Awarded for Outstanding military services by participating in an action in time of war or in quasi-state of war or by performing his/her duty equivalent to combat, such as responding to the attack of an enemy in a contact area.
Status Active
Grades Taegeuk
Eulji
Chungmu
Hwarang
Inheon
Precedence
Next (higher) Grand Order of Mugunghwa
Related
Korean name
Hangul 무공훈장
Hanja 武功勳章
Revised Romanization Mugong Hunjang
McCune–Reischauer Mugong Hunjang

The Order of Military Merit (Hangul: 무공훈장) is the primary military decoration awarded by the South Korean government. It is awarded to a person who rendered "outstanding military services by participating in an action in time of war or in quasi-state of war or by performing his/her duty equivalent to combat, such as responding to the attack of an enemy in a contact area."[1]

Grades

The Order of Military Merit is awarded in five grades.[2]

Grade Name Namesake Ribbon
1st Taegeuk (태극) taegeuk
2nd Eulji (을지) also sometimes spelt Ulchi Eulji Mundeok
3rd Chungmu (충무) Yi Sun-sin
4th Hwarang (화랑) Hwarang
5th Inheon (인헌) Gang Gam-chan

Notable recipients

Taegeuk

Document of award of the Taegeuk Cordon to the Unknown Dead of Greece for the Greek participation in the Korean War

Eulji

Col. Edwin A. Doss' Eulji Medal with Silver Star (1952–63 design)

Chungmu

Hwarang

  • Major Steven Vorhees Boylan (later Col. US Army retired) For direct support of the 10th Korean "Meng Ho" Division in the central coast region of Viet Nam in 1966.
  • Captain Mederith J. Larson (later Major US Army retired), Corps of Engineers, United States Army, a member of the United States Military Advisory Group to the Republic of Korea, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as an Assistant Advisor to the 3rd Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Korea, during 9 October 1950 to 8 June 1951. "Captain Larson, while carrying out his grave responsibility, displayed superior technique and outstanding military knowledge; his devotion to duty set a brilliant example for the Republic of Korea Army. The exceptionally meritorious service of Captain Larson reflects upon himself and the military service of the United Nations." (Award signed by Kim Tchun Kyung, Colonel AGD, The Adjutant General). Major M.J. Larson also received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts for service during World War II and the Korean War. He lived in Washington and died January 31, 2005.
  • Sergeant First Class Richard E. Falk (Love Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division) For valor during 17–18 April 1953 in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, Republic of Korea. History of this battle is described in S.L.A. Marshall's book, Pork Chop Hill. SFC Falk also received the Silver Star (G.O. #245 Hq. 7th Infantry Div.) and the Purple Heart. He was the youngest First Sgt. in training Company G, 123rd Infantry Regt, Ft. Lewis, WA, 1953. Montana resident, currently living in Hamilton, MT

Inheon

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Awards and Decorations Act". Act No. 11690 of Error: the date or year parameters are either empty or in an invalid format, please use a valid year for year, and use DMY, MDY, MY, or Y date formats for date. (in English and Korean) Korea Legislation Research Institute. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  2. ↑ "훈장과 포장" [Orders and Medals]. Decorations of the Republic of Korea (in Korean). Ministry of Interior and Safety. 2015. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  3. ↑ "Republic of South Korea Awards Four U.S. Veterans Its Nation's Highest Military Award: The Order of Military Merit, Taeguk - Post Eagle Newspaper".
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