Cultural Relics of the Korean War: Commemorative Medals from the Korean War Period
Release time:
2022-01-18
Each medal carries heavy memories and a wish for lasting peace. Today, please follow the Nanchang August 1st Uprising Memorial Museum to learn about the series of medals commemorating the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, getting close to the blood and fire of war, and remembering the achievements and glory of the soldiers.
"Medal of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea"
The medal is made of copper, with a diameter of 4.2 cm. The main body features a five-pointed star surrounded by radiating light, with enamel inlaid at the five points of the star. In the center of the star is a left profile portrait of Mao Zedong, surrounded by wheat ears. The back of the medal is engraved with the words "Presented by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference" and the year "1951". The medal is hung with a red plain silk ribbon and is worn on the lapel with a pin.
The "Medal of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea" was issued by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and is one of the two national medals issued during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. On the eve of the third session of the first National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in October 1951, Vice Chairman Guo Moruo, Chen Shutang, and Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China Peng Zhen jointly wrote to Chairman Mao Zedong, proposing to issue the medal to commemorate the first anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's deployment abroad.
Chairman Mao Zedong agreed upon receiving the letter. The third session of the first National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, based on the proposal by Guo Moruo, Chen Shutang, and Peng Zhen, produced the medal and awarded it to the following participants in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea: all personnel of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army who participated in the combat in Korea; medical staff, railway, transportation, translation personnel, and those involved in the ceasefire negotiations who served in Korea; militia, workers, and their cadres; journalists, writers, photographers, and filmmakers; and those who returned to China due to organizational transfers, injuries, illness, disability, or completion of service.
The medal was issued in two large batches, in two thicknesses, with each batch exceeding one million pieces, totaling over 2.5 million medals issued. The thin type was produced in 1951, while the thick type was produced in 1952.
"Long Live Peace Medal"
The "Long Live Peace Medal" is made of copper and enamel, available in two sizes: the larger one has a diameter of 4.6 cm, and the smaller one has a diameter of 3.9 cm, awarded to volunteer army officers and soldiers respectively. The shape is a pentagon composed of five large and five small angles, with the main image being a circular red enamel featuring a flying dove of peace, inscribed with the words "Long Live Peace". The outer ring and the dove's surface are both gold-plated. The back is engraved in three lines with the inscriptions "Medal of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea", "Presented by the Chinese People's Delegation to Korea", and "1953.10.25". The dove of peace design is inspired by the famous Spanish painter Picasso's 1952 propaganda painting "Dove of Peace" for the World Peace Conference, symbolizing a strong desire for lasting peace.
The "Long Live Peace Medal" was produced and awarded by the third "Chinese People's Delegation to Korea". During the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, three "Chinese People's Delegations to Korea" were organized. The third delegation was led by He Long, with eight sub-teams, comprising over 5,000 representatives from various sectors across the country, making it the highest specification and largest scale of the three delegations. In October 1953, the third delegation went to Korea, representing the Chinese government and people to award the "Long Live Peace Medal" to over a million volunteer soldiers stationed in Korea.
"1953 Chinese People's Delegation to Korea"
"Medal of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea Presented by the East China Sub-Delegation"
The medal is made of metal and is round. The front features a left profile portrait of Mao Zedong. The back is engraved with the words "1953" and "East China Sub-Delegation of the Chinese People's Delegation to Korea", and it is designed with a pin for wearing. It was presented by the East China Sub-Delegation of the third "Chinese People's Delegation to Korea", which was one of the eight major sub-delegations, led by Wu Kejian, Secretary of the East China Military and Political Committee, including sub-delegations from Shandong, Jiangsu, Fujian, and others, totaling about 700 people. In October 1953, the East China Sub-Delegation went to Korea to visit the Korean military and civilians in six counties including Pyeonggang, Sihwa, and Ichon in Gangwon Province, as well as the volunteer army units and artillery stationed at the Shangganling and "T-shaped Mountain" frontlines, and presented the medals to the volunteer soldiers.
Text: Former Site of He Long's Command Headquarters, Zhang Lidan
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