Description
Young Oak Kim was a Korean American United States Army officer, civic leader, and humanitarian. This collection comprises
military documents and audiovisual materials relating to Kim's service in World War II and the Korean War, collected as well
as created by author Woo Sung Han during the research and writing process of his 2011 biography entitled "Unsung Hero: The
Col. Young O. Kim Story."
Background
Young Oak Kim, born in Los Angeles in 1919, was a Korean American United States Army officer during World War II and the Korean
War, as well as a civic leader and humanitarian. He was a member of the U.S. 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental
Combat Team. He was also a combat leader in Italy and France during World War II. During the Korean War, Kim was assigned
to the 31st Infantry of the 7th Infantry Division. The 31st Infantry played a significant role in stopping Chinese troops
and pushing them back above the 38th parallel. Shortly after this, Kim was seriously wounded in combat. He served out the
remainder of his participation in the Korean War as the commander of the 31st Infantry's 1st Battalion, the first minority
officer in U.S. History to do so. After serving a year in this post, Kim left Korea in September of 1952.
Extent
5 Linear Feet
7 boxes
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Curator of the Korean
Heritage Library. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Korean Heritage Library as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.