The Korean War was fought after years of tension on the Korean Peninsula between North and South Korea. The war officially began on June 25th, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea, across the line dividing South Korea from communist North Korea.
Concerned that the Soviet Union and Communist China may have encouraged North Korea to invade South Korea, the United States decided to enter the war. The U.S. fought alongside 15 other countries. Some know this entrance into the war as unnecessary.
However, it is also said that the Americans who fought and died in Korea did so in the fight for freedom. So, to honor those who participated in this fight for freedom, here are 10 Korean War heroes you may know of but did not know fought in the war.
10. James Garner
In his memoir, James Garner claims to be the first man drafted to the Korean War. Whether this is entirely true or not, Garner fought in the war for 14 months with the 5th Regimental Combat Team.
Best known for his roles starring in the hit shows Maverick and The Rockford Files, Garner is actually one of the most overlooked Korean War heroes. On just his second day fighting, Garner was hit with shrapnel from a mortar round while on patrol and sustained some injuries to his hand and face.
In April 1951, Garner was hospitalized after he dislocated his shoulder and suffered phosphorus burns after being hit in the leg. After being discharged, he then made his film debut in 1956 and starred in several war dramas including The Great Escape.
9. Casey Kasem
Casey Kasem was an American disc jockey and a student at Wayne State University in Detroit when he was drafted to the war in 1952 at the age of 20.
While in Korea, Kasem utilized his on-air broadcast skills as both a DJ and an announcer for the Armed Forces Radio network.
After returning home, Kasem found work at radio stations and later became the host of “American Top 40.” Though Kasem is mostly known for his role as a radio broadcaster, his important role as one of the great Korean War heroes must not be overlooked.
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8. Charles Rangel
Charles Rangel, the longtime U.S. Congressman from Manhattan, served during the Korean War with the all-black 503rd Field Artillery Battalion in the 2nd Infantry Division.
During the Battle of Kunu-ri of November 1950, the Chinese Army encircled Rangel and 40 of his fellow soldiers. He obtained some serious wounds but survived.
When he returned home from the war, Rangel completed high school and then became both a lawyer and a civil rights activist. He then went on to win a Congressional seat in 1970.
7. John Glenn
John Glenn is another one of the Korean War heroes whose war efforts often go overlooked. Though he is known for being both an astronaut and a U.S. Senator, Glenn flew 90 missions during two tours of duty throughout the Korean War.
During the last nine days of the War, Glenn shot down three MiGs. After the war, Glenn graduated from a naval test pilot program and then became the oldest member of the “Mercury Seven” astronauts.
6. Rodolfo Péres “Rudy” Hernández
Corporal Rodolfo Pérez “Rudy” Hernández was a U.S. Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor, the highest military award, for his efforts during the UN May through June 1951 counteroffensive in the Korean War.
Despite serious injuries and wounds, Hernández took action during the enemy counterattack that allowed his platoon to retake defense and win the battle. These brave efforts made Hernández one of the greatest Korean War heroes.
5. Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin
Another one of the overlooked Korean War heroes is Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, most often known as one of Armstrong’s Apollo 11 crewmates. However, he also served as a fighter pilot during the Korean War.
Aldrin began fighting in Korea the day after Christmas in 1951 and flew F-86 Sabre Jets on 66 combat missions until the cease-fire in 1953. Aldrin received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in Korea for his immense war efforts.
4. Sir Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, the Academy Award winner, was also one of the overlooked Korean War heroes. Caine arrived in Korea in August 1952 as a member of the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers. He was then stationed on the front lines along the Samichon River.
After contracting malaria, Caine was discharged and returned to London where began studying acting. You may know him as a British film icon, but he was also a brave fighter in the Korean War.
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3. Ted Williams
Ted Williams, the baseball hall of famer, was deployed to Korea in 1952. Williams flew 39 combat missions as a pilot in the Marine Corps. He even flew several as John Glenn’s co-pilot.
Williams is definitely one of the greatest Korean War heroes as his plane was struck by enemy shots yet he still survived. These immense efforts display his commitment to the fight for freedom.
2. Johnny Cash
Though Johnny Cash is known for being a country music icon, he was also one of the great Korean War heroes. During the war, Cash served in the U.S. Air Force. After proving that he had strong skills in radio communication, Cash worked in a unit in Landsberg, Germany, and served as a high-speed Morse Code intercept operator, monitoring transmissions from the Soviet Union’s Army.
It was during his downtime from this high-stress job that Cash started writing music. Before being discharged, Cash was promoted to staff sergeant, and then when he returned home, he launched his music career. Bet you didn’t know that about the one and only Johnny Cash!
1. Neil Armstrong
Lastly, one of the most overlooked Korean War heroes was the first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong. In 1949, Armstrong was studying aeronautical engineering at Purdue University with a U.S. Navy scholarship and then began flight training to become a naval aviator.
Then on September 3rd, 1951, only five days after his first mission in the Korean War, Armstrong was thrown from his jet after being struck by an anti-aircraft fire. Though injured, he survived. After nearly a full year of service, Armstrong flew 79 combat missions.
Though Neil Armstrong’s most notable achievement is being the first man to walk on the moon, his achievements in the Korean War are quite tremendous, earning him three air medals.
