미국 군인에게 수여된 대한민국 태극무공훈장 분석 : 미국 명예훈장(Medal of Honor) 수여현황과의 비교를 중심으로

Abstract

This paper analyzes the awarding records and implications of the Taegeuk Service Medal awarded to American soldiers who participated in the Korean War, and tries to present ideas for the development of the service medal system of the Republic of Korea(ROK). Specifically, it examines what standards were important to ROK government when awarding the Taegeuk Service Medal to US soldiers during the first 25 years of the Cold War, and analyzes how these standards differed from those applied to soldiers of the ROK Army. In addition, by directly comparing these with the criteria of awarding the Medal of Honor awarded by the US government to its own soldiers, it examines the differences between the two countries’ service medal systems. As a result of comparing each medal recipient in the same war, American Medal of Honors were awarded to soldiers who made achievements through heroic combat actions or to soldiers who showed a sublime spirit of sacrifice regardless of their rank. On the other hand, when ROK government awarded Taegeuk Service Medals to American generals, the important criteria were the rank, position, and duties of the recipients. Lastly, this paper reviews the changes and progresses of ROK’s service medal system. As a suggestion for the development of this system, it suggests the need for revision of related laws and regulations, establishment of a system for collecting and utilizing the related historical materials, and the necessity of revising criteria for awarding service medals by degree.