August 26, 2005


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INTERNATIONAL PEACE PRIZE MEDAL 1988
Fourteen Awards Presented at Gathering Banquet
Arlington, VA, July 26, 2005 (KWVA News)

The culminating Banquet of the 2005 meeting of The Gathering included the first American awards of the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize to Peacekeeping Forces in Korea, 1950-1988. The Banquet coincided with a farewell to Minister Park Yu Chul, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Republic of Korea. The Minister had been visiting the US Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies in the Washington area. KWVA National President Louis Dechert obtained fourteen of the medals and diplomas to award significant veterans whom he desired to honor and reward for their service to Korean War and Korean Service Veterans.

The following members were presented awards by Minister Park, assisted by President Dechert and Frank Cohee, Assistant Secretary, KWVA:

  • Richard L Adams, Caruthers, CA, the second President of the KWVA, currently Vice President - Sergeant, 25th Recon Co, 25th Infantry Division, Korea - July 10, 1950-May 15, 1951.
  • Jeff Brodeur, Hyannis, Mass, Founder of the Korea Veterans of America, Co-Chairman of The US Federation of Korea Veterans Organizations, and newly elected Director, KWVA - Corporal, Troop B, 5th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 2d Infantry Division, Korea - February 14-December 10, 1988.
  • Don Byers, Woodbridge, VA, former President, 2d Infantry Division Association, former Director and officer, KWVA - Private First Class, Company D, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, Korea - October 20, 1950-July 21,1951.
  • Lee Dauster (in absentia), Sonora, CA, KWVA Director and Committee Chairman - Corporal, 1st Marine Division, Korea - September 1950-May 1951.
  • Byron Dickerson (in absentia), Duncanville, TX, Second Vice President, KWVA - Private First Class, HQ Company, 2d Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, Korea - January 5, 1951-November 25,1951.
  • Jake Feaster, Micanopy, FL, Membership Records Supervisor and Aide to President, KWVA, former President, Department of Florida, KWVA - First Lieutenant, 92d Field Artillery Battalion, Eighth Army, Korea - May 1953-July 1954.
  • James E Ferris, Liverpool, NY, KWVA Director and Committee Chairman, President Department of NY - Corporal, HQs, 1st Marine Division, Korea - January 1953-March 1954.
  • William F Mac Swain, Fort Worth, TX, KWVA Director and Bylaws Chairman - Master Sergeant, Company B, 2d Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, Korea - December 1951-June 1952.
  • Martin J O’Brien (in absentia), Augusta, ME, KWVA POW/MIA Coordinator, Aide to the President, and compiler of US Department of Defense Casualty Lists - 13th Signal Company, 1st Cavalry Division, Korea - July 18, 1950-June 11, 1951.
  • President Les Peate (in absentia), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, President of Korea Veterans Association, Canada, Member, International Federation of Korean War Veteran Associations, Seoul, Korea - Captain, Canadian Forces, 1st Commonwealth Division, British Forces, Korea - May 1951-November 1952.
  • Charley Price, DeBary, FL, Chief of Staff, Acting Judge Advocate, Legislative and Veterans Service Officers Director, KWVA - First Lieutenant, 187th Regimental Combat Team (Airborne), Korea - August 1950-June 1951.
  • John Sonley (in absentia), Phoenix, AZ, National Sergeant at Arms and Inspector General, KWVA - Sergeant, 5th Regimental Combat Team, Korea - January 1951-October 1951.
  • Warren Wiedhahn, Alexandria, VA, Director KWVA and Return Visits Program Chairman/Coordinator, President and CEO, Military Historical Tours, Executive Director, Korea2000 Foundation - Private First Class, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Korea - August 1950-December 1950.
  • William E Weber, Washington, DC, Executive Director, Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation - Captain, Rifle Company Commander, 187th Regimental Combat Team (Airborne), Korea - August 1950-March 1951.


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National KWVA President Louis Dechert was contacted in February 2005 concerning the extension of the 1988 UN Peacekeepers Nobel Peace Prize to us Korean War and Korea Service veterans. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense has extended the award to all who served in Korea under the UN, all years up to December 10, 1988.

The KWVA was requested to be the American processor of the awards. At the time Dechert was considering making awards to several past and present officials in recognition of their services to the organization.

Plans have been going forward and details concerning applications and payments for the award will be contained in the September-October Graybeards, and at www.kwva.org. General details concerning the award may be viewed at a website specially setup for KWVA members in the US and Canada, www.skanhandel.dk/kwva-usa/main.htm


President