Rep. Chu Calls on White House to Nominate Young Oak Kim for the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) held a press conference calling on President Obama to nominate the late Colonel Young Oak Kim for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Earlier this year, CAPAC sent a letter to the White House supporting the nomination. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), Chair of CAPAC, released the following statement:

“As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I am working closely with the Korean American community to support the nomination of Colonel Young Oak Kim for the 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Colonel Kim bravely served our country during World War II and the Korean War, becoming the first minority officer in U.S. history to command an Army battalion on the battlefield. After retiring from military service, he returned to Southern California and worked to empower Asian American communities both in Los Angeles and across the country. Throughout his lifetime of service, he truly embodied what it means to advance the common good. I urge President Obama to honor Young Oak Kim’s distinguished service to our nation by posthumously awarding him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”