U.S. military recognized for Korea duty

Afsha Bawany

Friday, Sept. 12, 2003 | 4:29 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION: Sept. 13, 2003

It was first offered to Korean War veterans 50 years ago, but federal law prohibited U.S military members from wearing medals issued by foreign governments. In 1999 that law changed, and now veterans may receive and wear the Republic of Korea Korean War Service medal.

Sunday afternoon 35 Korean War veterans who live in Las Vegas will be honored and receive their medals at the Montara Meadows retirement residence, 3150 E. Tropicana Ave., which has been named a local partner with the Defense Department in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Korean War. The medal ceremonies are part of the commemoration activities.

"I think it's important our serviceman get the recognition they deserve," Allan Snyder, the general manger of Montara Meadows, said. "In light of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, it's important we salute them (all troops) in every way possible."

Ceremonies in various cities have honored veterans since June 2000. The Defense Department authorized ceremonies to be held until Veterans Day this year. After that veterans may still receive the medal, but without the ceremony.

Retired Lt. Cmdr. Louis Risetto will present the medals, and the Clark High School ROTC color guard will take part in the ceremony.

One of the recipients will be John Soso, a Las Vegas area resident for 42 years. He was an aircraft mechanic with the Air Force in Korea from 1952 to 1953. Soso said he was surprised the awards are being given and wasn't expecting anything. But he appreciates the validation the veterans are receiving after so long.

"It's more about the team," Soso said.

Soso said Americans stationed in South Korea at the time did not understand Korean culture and its people. His base was 20 to 30 miles north of Seoul and 90 percent of his squadron's time was spent at the base.

"All you wanted was to go back safe," he said.

But when he did get into the city, Soso changed his mind and connected with the people of South Korea.

"I think South Korea is a good, democratic country. They've come a long way," Soso said.

After four years in the Air Force, Soso, 73, took a job with TWA and is now retired. He said he often looks back to those war days.

"We had a job to do and and I think we did it." Soso said. "That was a bigger accomplishment than any medal I'm going to get."

Another recipient Sunday will be Cmdr. Roger Jenkins. He was in Korea for a year as a supervisor of photographers for the Combat Camera Group Atlantic. He said there were veterans who were worse off than himself, but he appreciates the honor.

Originally from Oregon, Jenkins, 74, moved to Henderson with his wife three years ago.

The medal is "way overdue," Jenkins said. "There's a lot more deserving people than me."

More than 150,000 Korean War veterans have applied for and received the medal. Snyder said 40,000 veterans who live in the Las Vegas area can come forward and still receive their medals.

To be eligible for this award, a veteran must meet these criteria:

Veterans can contact Snyder at (702) 435-3150.