Re: Ethiopian Troops

[<CavKVet50@aol.com>]

Irwin - lifted this from UN site on KWP, have you seen it? 
-------------------------------------------------------------Marty

THE MIXED BLOOD 
Message: 25003 - Shewan Yitayew wrote on 2000-10-17 12:20:15,  
EMAIL - shewan@tdksys.com  
Unit:  
   
Comments: It is about two men that history never forgets about their 
sacrifices, pride and performance on the battlefield, which will remain 
unforgettable by the allies, as well as by enemy. It is about two different 
men of different nationalities who signed with their mixed blood the contract 
for the security of international peace. This common action of these two 
heroes will also remind the free world the struggle against the force of 
violence and darkness that took place in Korean War five decade ago. It is 
one of so many actions that should be worth mentioning. The mixed blood was 
performed by PVT Melese Berihun and a South Korean civilian who was assigned 
on engineering work on MLR on June 21, 1952, it was both gallantry and 
humanitarian in nature. Here is what Kimon Skordiles said in his book 
“Kangew”. “ On the morning of the 21st of June, South Koreans attached 
to the unit for miscellaneous job, were trying to lay wires for defensive 
reinforcement in front of the 1st company of the Ethiopian Battalion. While 
the South Korean civilians were doing this job, the enemy observed them and 
opened fire with heavy mortars. Two of these men did not have enough time to 
get under cover. One man fatally wounded, the other critically wounded by an 
enemy shell. PVT. Melese Berihun of the 1st company left his bunker to 
determine the site of the falling shells. There in the pandemonium he heard 
cries of pain from the South Korean civilian, calling for help in his own 
language. The Ethiopian soldier did not understand what the wounded Korean 
was saying; but the painful cries were directed not only to the ears, but to 
tender heart. The Ethiopian soldier heard the voice of the wounded, and while 
the shells of the enemy mortar fell around him, ignored the danger, risking 
his life to rescue the helpless man. While he was lifting the man in his arms 
a shell blew them up nearby, instantly killing them both. They died in each 
other’s arms. That was how they were found. That was how they were buried 
at the Pusan cemetery – in a common grave, a symbol of their common 
sacrifice, in a common struggle, for a common goal. The mixed blood is the 
foundation of friendship and a symbol of unity between Ethiopian and Korean. 
It is the fire of comradeship that come alive in the dark days of the Korean 
War, the friendship that will remain in perpetuation in the history through 
the joining of the hands of the two countries. 
The above story was taken from the Ethiopian Korean War Veterans 
association’s annual magazine. If you would like to contact the association 
or its members, please email me. 

Shewan