Seoul: The veterans ministry on Thursday appointed late staff sergeant Kim Young-deok and late French Army Lt. Col. Ralph Monclar as the Korean War heroes of May in recognition of their service during the 1950-53 Korean War.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim enlisted in the South Korean Army in 1952 and served in the 8th Infantry Division. He died while fighting against Chinese troops to gain control of enemy lines in May 1953. In recognition of his sacrifice, Kim was promoted by one rank and posthumously awarded the Hwarang Order of Military Merit, a primary military decoration.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Monclar, who held the rank of lieutenant general at the time of the Korean War, voluntarily reduced his rank to command the French battalion alongside the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division. Under challenging conditions, Monclar led his battalion during the battle of Chipyong-ni, where they faced a massive wave of Chinese forces in Yangpyeong, east of Seoul, from February 13-16, 1951. His leadership and achievements in the battle led to his being awarded the Legion of Merit, a U.S. decoration awarded to citizens of other nations, in 1952.