Order of Military Merit (South Korea)

The Order of Military Merit (Hangul: 무공훈장, Hanja: 武功勳章) is the primary military decoration awarded by the South Korean government.

Classes of the Order

The order is awarded in one of five classes, as follows.

1st Class – Taegeuk Cordon

 1st class: 太極, Taegeuk^[1] (Taegeuk Cordon or Grand Cordon) – Taegeuk Cordon of the Order of Military Merit is the highest decoration for military bravery and valour awarded by the government of South Korea. Members of the armed forces of South Korea, as well of its allies, are eligible for the award.

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

Notable recipients

• Douglas MacArthur – General of the Army, United States Army
• Chappy Hakim – Air Chief Marshal, Indonesian Air Force
• Young-Oak Kim – Colonel, United States Army
• Homer Litzenberg – General, United States Marine Corps
• William Westmoreland – General, United States Army
• Frank Fort Everest – General, United States Air Force
• Horace Robertson – Lieutenant General, Australian Army
• Bill Speakman VC – Sergeant, British Army
• Lee Han-Lim;- Lieutenant General, Republic of Korea Army
• Edward L Rowny – Lieutenant General of the Army, United States Army^[2]

2nd Class – Eulji Cordon

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

 2nd class: 乙支, Eulji^[3] (Field Marshal Lord Eulji Cordon)

Notable recipients

• Pham Van Dong – General, Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam
• Chesty Puller – Lieutenant General, United States Marine Corps
• William P. Yarborough – Lieutenant General, United States Army

3rd Class – Chungmu Cordon

 3rd class: 忠武, Chungmu (Lord High Admiral Chungmu Cordon)

Notable recipients

• Han Moo-hyup – Major General, Republic of Korea Army
• Alfredo M. Santos – General, Armed Forces of the Philippines
• Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. – Admiral, United States Navy
• Phan Hoa Hiep – General, Armed Forces Republic of Vietnam
• Denis Earp  - Lieutenant General, South African Air Force

4th Class – Hwarang Cordon

 4th class: 花郞, Hwarang (Youth Military Corps Cordon)

Notable recipients

• 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

5th Class – Inheon Cordon

 5th class: 仁憲, Inheon^[4] (Field Marshal Lord Inheon Cordon)

Notable recipients

• Yoon Jang-ho – (Ha-sa) Staff Sergeant, Republic of Korea Armed Forces

Footnotes

External links

• MOPAS Order of Military Merit page (Ministry of Public Administration and Security)
• Historical changes to the Eulji/Ulchi medal design
• Republic of Korea's Orders of Merit