Two Korean War veterans receive Ambassador of Peace Medals in State College
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- Two Korean War veterans received peace medals in a surprise ceremony in State College.
- South Korea grants these medals to U.S. veterans as a gesture of lasting gratitude.
- Presenter Ben Chon emphasized veterans' role in shaping South Korea's modern prosperity.
Two United States military veterans and local assisted living residents were honored for their service on Friday afternoon — about 72 years after they served in the Korean War.
Richard “Dick” Singer and Bruce Berkey received the Korean Ambassador of Peace Medal during a surprise ceremony at the Celebration Villa of Nittany Valley. About 40 people, including friends, family and staff, gathered to celebrate their service with cake and refreshments.
Over the past 15 years, the peace medal has been given to Korean War veterans as an expression of appreciation and gratitude from the South Korean government.
Singer is from Buffalo, New York, and was 19 years old when he left to serve in the war. During the next three and a half years, he was stationed in Japan, where he helped transport soldiers to and from Korea.
Friday’s ceremony was kept as a surprise to Singer, who is a resident at the assisted living facility. When he received his medal, he said, “the people that should be thanked are the people who have perished.”
“I didn’t do any more than anybody else, I just served,” Singer said. “Most of the other guys were Army, they were fighters. I was just the guy who flew them back and forth. This is a surprise, I didn’t do anything somebody couldn’t do.”
Singer went on to serve a total of eight years and eight months in the Air Force. He later got married, had two children and worked as a logistics and distribution manager. Now 92 years old, he said he’s lived in State College for about three years and enjoys fishing and playing bingo.
Berkey received the peace medal earlier this year in February, but he was honored a second time alongside Singer. He served in the Army, including in the Incheon Landing operation, which has been regarded as a major turning point for the United Nations forces during the war.
During his service in Korea, Berkey was held as a prisoner of war and was also wounded five times, for which he has received five Purple Heart awards.
Ben Chon, a South Korean native who presented the medals on Friday, said he hopes to change the narrative on what some call “The Forgotten War.” He said he works to honor veterans and show them that South Koreans are grateful for their service.
“That’s why we do this, to honor every one of them, to let them know you have made a difference for us,” Chon said. “We, Korea, are very grateful to America’s huge sacrifice.”
Chon has his own connection to the war, as he said his parents were among over 10,000 North Korean refugees who fled from the city of Hungnam on a U.S. vessel in 1950.
During the ceremony, Chon discussed the history of the conflict and how it eventually led to an economic and technological boom for South Korea, which Chon credits to the U.S. veterans who served over 70 years ago.
“That’s the difference you make,” Chon said. “Korea is your legacy.”
All Korean War veterans, living or deceased, are eligible to receive the peace medal. Chon encouraged veterans and their families to email him at chonb815@yahoo.com or call him at 208-602-1511 for more information.
