Wednesday, July 1, 2009

korean veteran receives medal

Clara Garcia News-Bulletin Staff Writer; cgarcia@news-bulletin.com

Los Lunas After more than 50 years, veteran receives honors

Richard Kaehele has been out of the Army for more than 50 years, but it wasn't until Sunday that he received his medals for his service in the Korean War.

Kaehele, of Los Lunas, received his Korean War Service Medal and Ribbon from U.S. Congressman Harry Teague, D-N.M., during a short, but jovial ceremony at the Valencia County courthouse. In 2000, the Republic of Korea announced that its government would provide the Republic of Korea War Service Medal to eligible U.S. veterans of that conflict, or to their surviving next of kin.

When Kaehele learned that he would be eligible for his medal and ribbon, he tried unsuccessfully several times, on his own to get what was rightfully his. It wasn't until he met with Teague six weeks ago that something finally happened.

"I had to go through a horrible cycle of beauracracy to get my medal," Kaehele said of his efforts. "They kept jerking me around, sending me applications after applications."

When Kaehele learned Teague was holding one of his "Harry in your Hometown" events at Henrietta's restaurant in Los Lunas, Kaehele jumped at the chance and went to talk to him. Kaehele said within a week after telling the congressman of his situation, he heard back from Teague's office saying that he was finally going to be awarded his medal.

"I think it's very nice for him to do this for me, and I appreciate it very much," Kaehele said of Teague. "From what I've seen, aside from my own personal case, he seems to be very effective."

Kaehele, now 77, enlisted in the Army when he was 17 years old in 1949. He was a member of 5th Regimental Combat Team Company I, 3rd Battalion, and served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1951.

Kaehele was honorably discharged from the Army in 1958, but re-enlisted, and served once again from 1960 to 1963, during which time he returned to Korea. He left the Army as a master sergeant.

While Kaehele hadn't received his service medals until now, he did receive a Purple Heart, a Silver Star and Bronze Star for his service to his country while fighting in the Korean War.

Teague said he was very happy and honored to be able to help Kaehele. He said there is nothing that makes him feels better than to help constituents receive their over-due honors.

"This is one of the biggest honors for me, as a member of Congress," Teague said. "Today, we're going to right a wrong that never should have happened. We're going to recognize someone for his service and devotion to this country.

"I would like to, No. 1, thank you sergeant for everything you did in defense of this country - we're a better country for it," Teague told Kaehele. "Secondly, I want to apologize to you for you having to wait so long to receive what was rightfully yours."

Along with his family, local veterans were at the ceremony on Sunday to witness Teague present Kaehele with his long-awaited medal and ribbon.

After his service in the military, Kaehele stayed in Korea as a civilian and worked to train South Korean CIA in combat and patrol procedures. He came to the states and worked as a producer and director for the American Forces Network making educational movies for the military.

He left that position, moved to Arizona and worked as a civil servant as an editorial specialist. It wasn't until 1970 that Kaehele moved to New Mexico, where he worked as a police officer for the University of New Mexico and later became a private investigator and a commercial photographer before retiring in 1998.

Kaehele moved to Los Lunas in September 2001, where he lives with his wife, Jasmin.

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