2019 Korean History and Cultural Seminar for Educators - Handbook 2019 NKS Handbook-0617 | Page 86

Korean War Veteran Testimonial by Mr. David Lopez He was born on September 7, 1930 and was drafted February 4, 1951. He took 13 weeks of training at Camp Roberts, California. He arrived in Korea July 12, 1951. He joined the 24 th Division, 19 th Infantry Regiment, 2 nd Battalion George Company 2 nd Platoon, and 2 nd Squad. As a Rifleman, he carried a B.A.R. which stands for Browning Automatic Rifle for 8 months. He was wounded in action on September 15, 1951 only 8 days after his 21 st Birthday. The 24 th Division saw action in Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge. In Korea, he got the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense, Korean Service, United Nations, and the Sigmund Rhee Presidential Citation. On February 14, 1952 the 24 th Division was relieved by the 40 th Division and went back to Japan, where he received more citations as Japanese Occupation, Army Service, and Good Conduct and Overseas Medals and also trained men for combat in Korea. He returned to civilian life on November 30, 1953. His Rank was S. F. C. (Sergeant First Class). At present, he is the Commander of the Korean War Veterans Chapter #56 of Ventura County and has been the Commander since 1996. Medals & Ribbons: Purple Heart, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Service, Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Medal, United Nations Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Occupation Japan, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon About speaker: He is a Korean War Veteran who has graciously been speaking at our seminar for the past several years. After arriving in Korea July 12, 1951, he joined the 24 th Division, 19 th Infantry Regiment, 2 nd Battalion George Company 2 nd Platoon, and 2 nd Squad. The 24 th Division saw action in Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge. In Korea, he received the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense, Korean Service, United Nations, and the Sigmund Rhee Presidential Citation. When he returned to civilian life in 1953, his rank was Sergeant First Class. At present, he is the Commander of the Korean War Veterans Chapter #56 of Ventura County and has been the Commander since 1996. Korean Tourism Organization Presentation 84