Bill > HR819

This bill aims to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to Colonel Young Oak Kim in recognition of his extraordinary military service, leadership, and humanitarian efforts. The bill details Kim's remarkable life journey, beginning with his experience as a Korean American facing racial discrimination during World War II, when he was initially prevented from enlisting but later drafted into the Army. Kim served with distinction in the all-Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, performing heroic actions during the Italian Campaign, such as capturing German soldiers at the Battle of Anzio. During the Korean War, he became the first officer of color to command an Army battalion on the battlefield and established an orphanage. After retiring from the military, Kim became a prominent civic leader in Los Angeles, founding several important organizations including the Koreatown Youth and Community Center, the Center for the Pacific Asian Family, and the Korean Health, Education, Information and Research Center. The bill provides for the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal honoring Kim, which will be presented posthumously and ultimately given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with provisions for striking duplicate bronze medals. The legislation not only recognizes Kim's military achievements but also highlights his significant contributions to community development and cross-cultural understanding.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/819/all-info