September 16, 2022
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A local Korean War veteran was recently recognized for his service by receiving the “Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal.”
Jimmie Andrew Beshears was presented the Medal by DeKalb County Veterans Service Officer Bill Rutherford. Also present at the event was Beshears’ wife of 67 years, Louise, and Mae Belle Foster of Suncrest Home Health.
Born May 17, 1928, Beshears served in the United States Army and entered the Korean War at the beginning of the war in 1950 at the age of 22. He was previously awarded the combat infantry badge as well as the Republic of Korea War Service Ribbon USAMM and the Korean Service Ribbon.
Corporal Beshears said he remembered how cold they were and digging foxholes shoulder high while fighting to push back the North Koreans. He said that after digging the foxhole waist deep the Sergeant said ‘dig deeper men.’ It was cold and wet in the foxholes.
Corporal Beshears served with the Eighth Army. The Eighth Army, after coming ashore at Inchon, was able to push North Korea back across the 38th parallel and advance all the way to the capital city of Pyongyang, with thoughts the war would be over quickly, until China entered the war.
The Eighth Army is still active today and serves in South Korea along with the Republican of Korea (ROK) military, protecting the US and our Allies’ interest in Southeast Asia.
“Corporal Beshears is one of just a handful of the Korean War veterans that are still with us in DeKalb County,” said VSO Officer Rutherford. “The Korean War is known as the ‘forgotten war’ and it is a great honor to meet and hear Corporal Beshears memories of entering into Korea at the beginning of the war.”
Corporal Beshears was given a challenge coin from DeKalb County thanking him for his service.
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