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What was the Kagnew Battalion?

The Kagnew Battalions were a group of elite soldiers chosen from the Ethiopian Emperor's own guard. Starting in 1951, these brave men were sent to fight in the Korean War. They were famous for their great skill in battle and for being a very strong team.

Why did Ethiopia fight in Korea?

Ethiopia joined the fight to help support the United Nations. They wanted to defend South Korea against forces from the north. By joining this mission, Ethiopia showed that it stood for peace and worked well with other countries around the world.

How many soldiers got this medal?

More than 3,500 Ethiopian soldiers served in the Korean War. Each one of these soldiers earned the special campaign medal for their hard work. It was a way for their country to say thank you for their service far away from home.

Did the soldiers receive other medals too?

Yes, they did. Besides their own national medal, the Ethiopian troops were also given United Nations service medals. These medals were worn together to show that the soldiers had served both their home country and the global mission in Korea.

What is unique about the Ethiopian force in Korea?

The Ethiopian soldiers were very tough and fought in many difficult battles. A special fact about them is that not a single one of their soldiers was ever captured as a prisoner. This record of bravery remains a point of great pride in their country's history.

What was the Kagnew Battalion?

The Kagnew Battalions were a group of elite soldiers chosen from the Ethiopian Emperor's own guard. Starting in 1951, these brave men were sent to fight in the Korean War. They were famous for their great skill in battle and for being a very strong team.

Why did Ethiopia fight in Korea?

Ethiopia joined the fight to help support the United Nations. They wanted to defend South Korea against forces from the north. By joining this mission, Ethiopia showed that it stood for peace and worked well with other countries around the world.

How many soldiers got this medal?

More than 3,500 Ethiopian soldiers served in the Korean War. Each one of these soldiers earned the special campaign medal for their hard work. It was a way for their country to say thank you for their service far away from home.

Did the soldiers receive other medals too?

Yes, they did. Besides their own national medal, the Ethiopian troops were also given United Nations service medals. These medals were worn together to show that the soldiers had served both their home country and the global mission in Korea.

What is unique about the Ethiopian force in Korea?

The Ethiopian soldiers were very tough and fought in many difficult battles. A special fact about them is that not a single one of their soldiers was ever captured as a prisoner. This record of bravery remains a point of great pride in their country's history.

Home Library EthiopiaEthiopian Korean Service Medal

Campaign medal

Ethiopian Korean Service Medal

A campaign medal awarded to members of the Kagnew Battalions who fought in Korea.

Ethiopia Established 1951 ArmyPrecedence: Campaign medal worn alongside United Nations service decorations

Medals & Awards

Awarded For

Awarded for completing combat service during the deployment in the Korean War.

Eligibility

Officers and enlisted soldiers of the Ethiopian Kagnew Battalions deployed to Korea.

Branch

Army

Precedence

Campaign medal worn alongside United Nations service decorations

Ethiopian Korean Service Medal, Campaign medal, Ethiopia medal

History

In 1951, Emperor Haile Selassie sent elite troops from the Imperial Bodyguard, known as the Kagnew Battalions, to fight as part of the United Nations Command in Korea. Over 3,500 soldiers served in fierce combat without having a single prisoner taken.

Ethiopia struck and issued a special campaign and UN service medal for all Ethiopian soldiers deployed to the Korean peninsula. The medal recognized their high discipline, bravery, and teamwork with international allies.

The medal remains a symbol of pride in modern Ethiopian military history, marking the nation's first major international combat deployment under the United Nations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Used In

Korean War

Veterans Who Received This Award

Korean War

Ethiopian Korean Service Medal

Beyene Merid

Who Was General Beyene Merid?

A decorated veteran of the Kagnew Battalion who served in the Korean War.

Ethiopia1953-07-06

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Sources

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