Korean War vet gets highest US civilian honor

Retired Staff Sgt. Jose Diaz-Rivas, second from left, receives the Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions in the Korean War from Brooke Army Medical Center Commander Col. Jeffrey Johnson, as Diaz-Rivas’ wife and family look on, at Fort Sam Houston’s San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas in this June 5 file photo. / Courtesy of U.S. Army

By Kang Seung-woo

An 86-year-old Korean War veteran received the U.S. highest civilian award last month for his contributions during the war, according to the U.S. Army.

Jose Diaz-Rivas, a retired staff sergeant who served with the 65th Infantry Regiment during the 1950-53 war, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on June 5. The regiment was a Puerto Rican U.S. Army unit that made their mark in extensive campaigns during the conflict.

“Not many people receive this medal; I feel very proud,” said Diaz-Rivas as he accepted the medal during a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston’s San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas.

Thanks to the regiment’s achievements in the Korean War, its soldiers earned more than 2,700 Purple Hearts, 600 Bronze Stars, 250 Silver Stars, nine Distinguished Service Crosses and one Medal of Honor, according to the U.S. Army.

Diaz-Rivas initially planned to accept the medal in April in Washington, D.C., alongside his fellow soldiers, but his declining health prevented him from attending the ceremony. However, his family and caregivers thought a medal in the mail would not be good enough to honor his commitment and Col. Jeffrey Johnson, the commander of the military medical center, presented it to him in person.

“We honor you and thank you for your sacrifice,” Johnson said during the award ceremony.

Diaz-Rivas, a Puerto Rican native who enlisted at age 16, received a Combat Infantryman Badge and a Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars for his contributions in the Korean War, said the U.S. Army.

He later jointed the Air Force and participated in the Vietnam War before retiring from the military in 1971 with 21 years of service.

“My father is very proud of his medal,” said his daughter, Ivonne Diaz-Navedo. “But we are proud of all of his contributions. It’s a complete life he’s lived.”