6 replies to this topic

[ADMIN]

COUNTRY:
Korean / Republic of Korea (ROK)

NAME:
Korean Order of Military Merit, Ulchi Class (Somes written as "Eulji")

DESCRIPTION:
It is the second highest military decoration for the Republic of Korea. This order for military merit ranks below the Taeguk, but above the Chung Mu, Wharang, and Inhun medals.

RIBBON:
The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of a light pink, pink, pinkish orange, or orange background with a Korean blue and red ying-yang in the center (either printed or embroidered). The ying and yang is flanked on each side by three white stripes.


CRITERIA:
It is the second highest decoration awarded by the Republic of Korea for military merit.

This decoration is commonly listed among the awards for high ranking American officers of all service branches involved in the Korean War and Vietnam War.

The decoration is primiarly given out to high ranking officers (normally Navy Captains or Air Force, Army, or Marine Colonels or higher) in divisional, army, or command level leadership roles of officers. And, it is given only to leaders of units who demonstrated extreme resistance to the Chinese Army and continuous loyalty to the U.S. military and the preservation of South Korea.

South Korean Minister of National Defense often presented the decoration during a ceremony.


DESIGNS & HISTORY:
The "Ulchi" is named after 7th century Korean military leader, Eulji Mundeok (also written Ulchi Mundok), from the Goguryeo kingdom in Korea. Eulji Mundeok led a vastly outnumbered Goguryeo force to victory by defeating and then pushing back the Sui Chinese out of the Goguryeo kingdom.

Today the decoration includes a medal worn on a neck ribbon and ribbon bar. The ribbon bar is slightly different today, as you can see below, from the modern decoration. It is believed the change in design occurred sometime during the 1960s (perhaps in 1961).

KOREAN WAR EXAMPLES:


Embroidered version



Printed version


MODERN EXAMPLE:


(Note change in ribbon and medal design)
Picture from: http://czar94.cafe24.../koreamedal.htm


RIBBON AS WORN:


Lt. Gen. William Kenefick Jones, USMC
(Ulchi ribbon seen on third row from bottom on the right)



Gen. Lewis William Walt, USMC
(Ulchi ribbon seen on third row from bottom and is second medal from the right - shown with star affixed to ribbon)



Major Gen. Andrew J. Evans, Jr., USAF
(Ulchi ribbon seen on bottom row and second from the left)

[Wailuna]

ROK Order of Military Merit Ulchi Class being presented to USAF Lt. Col. William P. Brunson, Commander, Detachment 2, 6499th Support Group, in Seoul, Korea, August 1961, with letter of transmittal and translated citation.

[ADMIN]

The following information was so kindly submitted by D. Pfeifer:

Historical information on the Uchi:

1950 created as Order of Military Merit 2nd class as a breast medal,
1950 divided into three grades with gold star, silver star and no
star,
1951 ribbon colors were changed,
1951 redesigned planchet and renamed the Order of Military Merit Ulchi
Class,
1963 redesigned planchet and suspended from a cravat, the gold, silver
and no star grade system is dropped,
1967 redesigned planchet,
1973 redesigned planchet,
1985 planchet size change,

On your ulchi page you state that it is below the Taeguk and above the
Chung Mu and Hwarang, you forgot about the Inhun (a fifth class) and
the Military Merit Medal.

In 1963, the Order of Military Merit was divided into a combat and non
combat decoration. Since then, most foreign officers have received
the non combat Order of Service Merit which was later renamed the
Order of National Security Merit.

Thanks so much for the corrections and the additional info! http://www.usmilitar...tyle_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif

[Wailuna]

Here's what happens when the cameraman doesn't get the picture: Where's the medal? Fortunately, there is a caption. The circa 1952 "Ulchi Distinguished Military Service Medal" is better known as the Order of Military Merit, Ulchi Class.

[USMC]

So Koreans and foreign personnel can receive this?

[arclight]

Here's a custome rack that was cut directlt from the uniform (sadly), with an Ulchi ribbon with a tarnished silver star over the ying/yang symbol. Would this indicate a higher award or an additional award?

[arclight]

A little closer look. Wish I could figure out who this rack belonged to. Anyone know if there is a listing of US soldiers the Ulchi was awarded to?