Remembering Chairman Emeritus Colonel Young Oak Kim

The Go For Broke Educational Foundation sadly bids a fond farewell to Founding Chairman/Chairman Emeritus Colonel Young Oak Kim (Ret), who at age 86 passed away from cancer on December 29, 2005 in Los Angeles. His astute leadership, "go for broke" fortitude, and humanitarian spirit will be greatly missed especially by the Educational Foundation staff, board of directors, board of governors, and veterans.

Through all his years in the military and community involvement, Colonel Kim was most proud and fond of his service with the Nisei WWII veterans. Colonel Kim was one of the founders of the Go For Broke Educational Foundation and led the veterans for more than 10 years to build the Go For Broke Monument. Even after the Monument was built, Colonel Kim never wavered from his resolve to preserve the legacy of the veterans to ensure that no one ever be deprived of their civil liberties again. It was his vision to focus on educating future generations, and today the Japanese American veteran story is being taught.

"We are extremely saddened to lose our leader, Colonel Kim, who spent his life to enrich the world in which we live," said Christine Sato-Yamazaki, executive director and president of the Educational Foundation. "He was my mentor who helped guide me and the board to reach the level of success we have attained. It was his vision that the veterans build a Go For Broke Monument, and it was his vision that we establish the Educational Foundation. It is now our duty to build on his vision to carry on the legacy in perpetuity."

Colonel Kim was born in Los Angeles and raised in the Bunker Hill area, the second child of Korean immigrants Soon Kwon and Nora Koh Kim. Understanding the importance of serving his country, Kim enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1941 and was later selected to the Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, the only Asian American in his class. In February 1943, as a 2nd Lieutenant, Kim was assigned to the 100th Infantry Battalion. When asked by Colonel Turner, his commanding officer if he would like a transfer, knowing the historical conflicts between Koreans and Japanese, Kim stated, "Sir, the soldiers are American and I am American. We are going to fight for America. I want to stay."

In Italy Kim received his first Silver Star and Purple Heart for actions near Santa Maria Olivetto. But it was after the battle of Cassino and his promotion to 1st Lieutenant that Kim is best known. At the battle of Anzio, during broad daylight he volunteered to capture German soldiers for intelligence information. He and Irving Akahoshi crawled more than 600 yards located directly under German observation posts with no cover. They captured two prisoners and obtained information that significantly contributed to the fall of Rome. For his actions, Kim received the Distinguished Service Cross from the U.S. and the Military Valor Cross, the highest military decoration in Italy. Later promoted to Captain, Kim and the 100/442 fought in the battles that liberated towns of Bruyeres and Biffontaine. Kim was wounded in Biffontaine and awarded his second Purple Heart as well as the Croix de la Guerre (upgraded to the French Legion of Valor in February 2005, France's highest military honor) from France. In addition, the people of Biffontaine dedicated a plaque on the wall of their village church in commemoration of Captain Kim's outstanding heroism and appreciation to all the soldiers who helped to liberate their town.

After WWII, Kim returned to Los Angeles and started a successful business. But because of the Korean War, he reenlisted into the Army in 1950. In 1951 he arrived in Korea and commanded the "Benedae" South Korean guerrilla unit. Kim took part in the U.N. Forces' last drive into the north and awarded his second Silver Star and Bronze Star. Upon his promotion to Major, he became the first Asian American to command a regular U.S. combat battalion in a war, the 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th U.S. Army Division. He was able to convince this battalion to adopt an orphanage in Seoul, where more than 500 war orphans received supplies and monetary support to ensure their survival. It was the only U.N. military unit on the frontlines to adopt an orphanage during the war. For his actions in the Korean War, in late 2005, Colonel Kim received the Taeguk Order of Military Merit.

Upon return, Kim served in the Army in various assignments and locations in Germany and the states. From 1963-1965 Kim served again in Korea as a military advisor to the Republic of Korea Army. Among his work there, he assisted in the revision of the Defense Plan of Korea. The plan was established in the event of another Korean war and became the backbone of today's Defense Plan of Korea. In 2000, Colonel Kim was appointed by the Secretary of the Army to serve on the Outside Experts Committee investigating the U.S. Army's involvement with the No Gun Ri massacre of Korean refuges during the Korean War.

He was promoted to Colonel in 1965, serving in various capacities until his retirement from the Army in 1972. After graduating from California State University, Dominguez Hills with a bachelor's degree in history, Colonel Kim became the CEO of Fine Particle Technology in San Diego and volunteered his time to many different organizations, including a Board of Trustees member of the Los Angeles chapter, United Way. In addition to co-founding the Go For Broke Educational Foundation, he was the founding chairman of Family & Friends of Keiro Homes; founding co-chairman and current honorary chair of Korean Health, Education, Information and Research Center; former chairman of Center for Pacific Asian Families; founding member, former chairman and board of trustees member of the Korean American Museum; founding vice chairman and board of governors of the Japanese American National Museum; and founding member and honorary member board of trustees of the Korean American Coalition.

Colonel Kim is survived by his sister Willa of New York; brothers Jack (Kyoung Ha) and Henry (Cookie); nieces Dyanne McMath, Celeste Rosas, Christine Kim, and Nancy Riolo; nephews Walter McMath, Jack Kim, Jr., Gary Kim, and Henry Kim, Jr.; and stepsons Jerry Surh, Tom Surh, and Corey Covert.

Colonel Kim will forever rest in peace at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu, HI.

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