Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Dave Min (CA-47) introduced a bipartisan bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Colonel Young Oak Kim for his extraordinary heroism, leadership, and humanitarianism.
“Colonel Young Oak Kim was a dedicated military hero, from helping liberate Rome from Nazi control during WWII to commanding a U.S. Army battalion during the Korean War. Even after his time in the military, he devoted his life to service, and I feel so blessed to have called him a good friend and mentor,” said Congresswoman Young Oak Kim. “I am humbled to use my voice to honor him, just as he told me to honor our shared name, country, and duty to public service. I am glad that all Korean American members of Congress could come together to work to award him this belated and well-deserved Congressional Gold Medal.”
“As the three Korean Americans in the U.S. House of Representatives, we have come together to recognize the exemplary legacy of Colonel Young Oak Kim. He is more than deserving of this high honor as a military hero during both World War II and the Korean War, and as a steadfast community leader and humanitarian,” said Congresswoman Strickland.
“Colonel Young Oak Kim was a hero and trailblazer who should have received the Congressional Gold Medal decades ago. Despite the discrimination he faced, he courageously fought for the U.S. Army — becoming the first officer of color to lead an Army battalion in battle. His sacrifices paved the way for the next generation of Korean Americans to serve their country. Colonel Kim’s story deserves to be told everywhere, and I am hopeful he will soon receive this long overdue recognition,” said Congressman Min.
Read the text of the bill here.
