SALT LAKE CITY-- Retired Marine Corps Sgts. John Cole and Jay Wells have taken on the tremendous mission of trying to provide all Utah combat veterans of the Korean War with the 'Ambassador for Peace Medal.'
'Some people have told us this project will never finish, but what are we suppose to do? It is a lot of work trying to find all of these names but we want to get everyone that we possibly can,' Cole said.
On Feb. 2 the Utah State Senate honored and expressed gratitude for the service and sacrifice of these sergeants. With the help of Sen. Jani Iwamoto, D-Holladay, who sponsored a resolution honoring those who have assisted Korean War veterans, Cole and Well's goal will continue to be accomplished. The resolution seeks to locate and recognize all Utah combat veterans of the Korean War for their sacrifices during the war that is frequently 'forgotten.'
The vote passed unanimously in both the House and Senate with standing ovations.
'I have completely witnessed the efforts that these men did to help with the support of their enemies and their sincere and complete commitment and love for Korean veterans and all veterans to make sure at great lengths that they are not forgotten,' Iwamoto said.
The recognition began in 2013 when Cole, a veteran of not only the Korean War but also World War II, decided that it was necessary for Korean War Veterans to be recognized for their outstanding military service. According to a news release from the Utah State Legislature, approximately 1,000 of 17,000 Utah Korean War veterans have received the 'Ambassador for Peace Medal' from the South Korean government since 2013.
'My father was a sergeant in the Marine Corp and I can imagine how you must feel today. Must feel good,' Sen. Scott K. Jenkins, R-Ogden, said. 'You know it is interesting at the end of World War II, a lot of people who were in the service, who were retired, got into the reserve units, that was very common at that time. A lot of those reserve units were deployed to the Korean War and that's how so many of those people ended up being veterans of both conflicts.'
In order to be eligible for the medal a veteran must have served in combat during June 15, 1950 to July 27, 1953. The medal is provided for these veterans at no cost by the South Korean government.
Other Purple Heart recipients and Gary R. Harter, executive director of Utah Department of Veteran and Military Affairs also attended the event.