WILLIAM SPEAKMAN - 1951

William Speakman was the first man to receive a Victoria Cross medal from Queen Elizabeth II.

He was honoured for an incident during the Korean War when his company had been overrun by the enemy and were left seriously depleted by casualties. 

Private Speakman collected six men along with a pile of grenades and helped break up enemy attacks.

Despite being wounded in the leg he continued to lead a series of charges which kept the enemy at bay and helped his company withdraw safely

Another exceptional war veteran has passed away at the grand age of 90

Bill from Altrincham in the north of England served in the Korean War against the north Koreans and the communist Chinese army.

He later became one of the famous Chelsea pensioners.
Korea wasn't just an American affair, many British commonwealth countries served there to Australia and others.
May he rest in peace.

As a foot note, I'm wondering if any american men who served there are still alive?

The American TV show M*A*S*H reveals that Americans were not the only allied soldiers who fought in the Korean War.

The show's first season features an Australian anesthesiologist, and the pilot episode ends with wounded Canadian soldiers arriving at the 4077.

Hi David, I love mash. and it's still on here!
Yes, I thought I'd mention it as some think you were on your own!
Plus, lorretta swit was many a school boys pin up!

I'm sure there are still a few around that fought in the Korean War.... My dad would have been 92 this year and served time in the Korean War... I'm sure they are few and far between tho...

Thanks txs, it was a messy one, this guy went on to fight in Malaysia.
Another hot and messy war.
Hats off to your dad.

Well, the last known World War I combat veteran, died just six years ago, so I suspect there are plenty of people left from Korea.

its been 60 years and we still have servicemen stationed there.... too long..

we should be out of there and let SK and Japan take care of their region.If that little fat man decides to escalate anything, we always have the ability to bomb his a*s back to 1950.. we don't need service men and women there to do that.

60 years is way too long.

My Dad served in Korea with the Merchant Marines..passed in 1996.
Nothing but naked native women in the scrapbook ;-)

Not for long...…. I don't know if you saw the news but we just brought over 200 caskets to the DMZ. North Korea is going to let us get bodies of our dead heroes back.


I have a hunch within the next year the state of war that exists currently will official be deemed over.

I think we should see that scrap book for educational purposes!

This old guy wants his ashes scattered in the d.m.z
60 years is crazy. let's hope it's done

Oh wow. Being of naval background myself I can relate.

You know there’s only ever been 3 people who have been awarded the Victoria Cross twice.
Here in the UK if you’re awarded the gallantry medal you’re looked upon as superman. It’s the 2nd highest honour. If you’re awarded the Victoria Cross ( the highest honour) then you are brave beyond belief.

Victoria Cross twice, which is unthinkable, I think one was Australian, one was a Vicars son, (medic) and forgive me but I cant think who the other one was right now, but hats off to him, whoever he was.

Rightly or wrongly, and regardless of my opinion on war, I love all ours and our ally’s military, without them we wouldn’t be here, or we would be the have’s and have nots, the Nazis or Untermensch, take your pick.

my father served in both korea,and vietnam,and he only died a couple of months ago,at the age of 87,so yes,there are still veterans of that war around.