Yoon Jang-ho
Encyclopedia
Yoon Jang-ho was a sergeant serving as an English translator in Afghanistan
as a member of the Dasan Engineering Unit, which is part of the South Korean military. He was killed during a suicide bomb attack on a military base in Bagram
on February 27, 2007. The attack occurred at the front gate, where he was waiting to greet two local residents into the base. Yoon Jang-ho is the South Korean military's first and, as of October 2007, only combat casualty in the country. He is also the first overseas combat casualty suffered by the South Korean military since the end of the Vietnam War
.
Born on September 21, 1980, Yoon Jang-ho was the youngest of three children. After graduating from elementary school in Seoul
in 1994, he received secondary education
in New York
. He graduated from the Kelley School of Business
at Indiana University with an undergraduate degree in business in 2003 and started attending the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
in early 2004. In December 2004, he returned to South Korea
and joined the South Korean army's Special Warfare Command
as a translator in June 2005. He was dispatched to Afghanistan in September 2006, and was to return to South Korea on March 14, 2007 for a planned discharge in June. He was promoted to staff sergeant and received the Inheon Order of Military Merit and the Bronze Star
posthumously.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
as a member of the Dasan Engineering Unit, which is part of the South Korean military. He was killed during a suicide bomb attack on a military base in Bagram
Bagram
Bagram , founded as Alexandria on the Caucasus and known in medieval times as Kapisa, is a small town and seat in Bagram District in Parwan Province of Afghanistan, about 60 kilometers north of the capital Kabul. It is the site of an ancient city located at the junction of the Ghorband and Panjshir...
on February 27, 2007. The attack occurred at the front gate, where he was waiting to greet two local residents into the base. Yoon Jang-ho is the South Korean military's first and, as of October 2007, only combat casualty in the country. He is also the first overseas combat casualty suffered by the South Korean military since the end of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Born on September 21, 1980, Yoon Jang-ho was the youngest of three children. After graduating from elementary school in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
in 1994, he received secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He graduated from the Kelley School of Business
Kelley School of Business
The Kelley School of Business is a top-ranked American business school operated by Indiana University. As of 2009, approximately 5,500 full-time students are enrolled on its Bloomington campus, as well as 1,750 students at the Indianapolis campus...
at Indiana University with an undergraduate degree in business in 2003 and started attending the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary , located in Louisville, Kentucky, is the oldest of the six seminaries affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention . The seminary was founded in 1859, at Greenville, South Carolina. After being closed during the Civil War, it moved in 1877 to Louisville...
in early 2004. In December 2004, he returned to South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and joined the South Korean army's Special Warfare Command
Special Warfare Command
Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command is the military command of the Republic of Korea Army responsible for their special operation forces...
as a translator in June 2005. He was dispatched to Afghanistan in September 2006, and was to return to South Korea on March 14, 2007 for a planned discharge in June. He was promoted to staff sergeant and received the Inheon Order of Military Merit and the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
posthumously.