Hero #11 Young-Oak Kim (김영옥)

During World War II, Japanese-Americans on the U.S. Mainland were interned in relocation camps because of misplaced fear about their loyalties. In spite of this, nisei (二世) volunteer Japanese-Americans formed the 100th Infantry Battalion (as well as the 442nd Regimental Combat Team) and fought in seven major campaigns in Europe. Their experience is chronicled in the 1951 movie, “Go For Broke!”

What the movie leaves out is that their commander wasn’t white or even a nisei. He was an isae (이세, 二世), a second-generation Korean American. And while the movie that left him out was showing in the U.S., he was off fighting again – in the Korean War.

U.S. Army Colonel Young-Oak Kim was born in Los Angeles in 1919. He tried to join the Army after World War II broke out, but was turned away. After Congress passed a law allowing the Army to draft Asian-Americans, he was drafted in January 1942. After about half a year, he began OCS. On graduation in January 1943, he was assigned to the 100th Infantry Battalion.

After distinguishing himself in the Battles of Anzio, Belvedere, and Pisa in Italy, and again in France at the battles of Bruyere and Biffontaine, he was severly wounded. He was shipped back to the U.S. for six months to recover, but the war in Europe soon ended. Other acts of distinction

Later, during the Korean War, he served as Chief Intelligence Officer in the 31st Infantry, 7th Infantry Division. After being promoted by William J. McCaffrey, he had the distinction of being the first-ever U.S. field battalion commander of Asian descent.

Kim's accomplishments extended beyond the battlefield. During the war, he opened an orphanage and took care of hundreds of war orphans. After retiring in 1972, he continued to help poor orphans and Korean adoptees. [Source]

For his contributions in Europe and Asia, Kim received the Medal of Honor, Italy’s Cross of Valor, and the French Legion of Honor. In 2005, Korea also awarded him the Taeguk Medal of Honor. In his memory, the University of California at Riverside has decided to dedicate a research center for Korean-American studies.

Young-Oak Kim passed away in late 2005.