Sixteen Korean War-era veterans were presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal by representatives of the Korean government during a ceremony and dinner at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano.

The commemorative medal is “an expression of appreciation from the Korean government to American service men and women who served in the Korean War.”

Korean Consul for Veterans Affairs Lee Jong Don, left, shakes the hand of Korean War era veteran Leo Chade prior to a ceremony to present the veterans with the Ambassador for Peace medal at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 17 Korean War era veterans were honored with 16 of them being presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal from the government of the Republic of Korea. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Korean era veterans, front row, stand as they receive applause prior to ceremony to present the veterans the Ambassador for Peace medal from Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 17 Korean War era veterans were honored with 16 of them being presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal from the government of the Republic of Korea. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Korean War era veteran Thomas “Happy” Hunn salutes after receiving the Ambassador for Peace medal from Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang during a ceremony at American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Korean era veteran Alex Neil gives the thumbs up after receiving the Ambassador for Peace medal from the Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang during a ceremony at American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A close up of the Ambassador for Peace medal presented to Korean War era veterans by the Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang during a ceremony at American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 17 Korean War era veterans were honored with 16 of them being presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal from the government of the Republic of Korea. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Korean era veterans salute prior to a ceremony to present them the Ambassador for Peace medal from Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 17 Korean War era veterans were honored with 16 of them being presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal from the government of the Republic of Korea. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Korean era veteran Leo Chade looks back to his family after receiving the Ambassador for Peace medal from the Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang during a ceremony at American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, places the Ambassador for Peace medal on Korean War era veteran Wyatt Hart during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 17 Korean War era veterans were honored with 16 of them being presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal from the government of the Republic of Korea. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, places the Ambassador for Peace medal on Korean War era veteran Luigi La Valle during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, places the Ambassador for Peace medal on Korean War era veteran Leslie Hunn during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)



The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, poses for a photo with Ambassador for Peace medal recipient and Korean War era veteran Paul Valenzuela during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 16 Korean War era veterans were presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, poses for a photo with Ambassador for Peace medal recipient and Korean War era veteran Luigi La Valle during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 16 Korean War era veterans were presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, poses for a photo with Ambassador for Peace medal recipient and Korean War era veteran Leslie Hunn during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 16 Korean War era veterans were presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, poses for a photo with Ambassador for Peace medal recipient and Korean War era veteran Wyatt Hart during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 17 Korean War era veterans were honored with 16 of them being presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal from the government of the Republic of Korea. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Korean era veteran Charles Taylor, left, chats with fellow veteran Leo Chade after they received the Ambassador for Peace medal from the Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang during a ceremony at American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 17 Korean War era veterans were honored with 16 of them being presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal from the government of the Republic of Korea. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)



The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, places the Ambassador for Peace medal on Korean War era veteran Leo Chade during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, poses for a photo with Ambassador for Peace medal recipient and Korean War era veteran Thomas “Happy” Hunn during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 16 Korean War era veterans were presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, poses for a photo with Ambassador for Peace medal recipient and Korean War era veteran Charles Taylor during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 16 Korean War era veterans were presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, poses for a photo with Ambassador for Peace medal recipient and Korean War era veteran Alex Neil during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 16 Korean War era veterans were presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, places the Ambassador for Peace medal on Korean War era veteran Alex Neil during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)



The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, poses for a photo with Ambassador for Peace medal recipient and Korean War era veteran Richard McDonald during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 16 Korean War era veterans were presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Korean Deputy Consul General Insang Hwang, left, poses for a photo with Ambassador for Peace medal recipient and Korean War era veteran Leo Chade during a ceremony at the American Legion Post 721 in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, October 21, 2019. A total of 16 Korean War era veterans were presented with the Ambassador for Peace medal. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

As each name was called, the veteran walked to the podium where Insang Hwang, the Korean deputy consul general of Los Angeles, presented the vet with the medal and a proclamation. Claps and cheers from the families and friends that packed the American Legion Post 721 followed each presentation. Also representing the government of Korea was the Consul for Veterans Affairs Lee Jong Don.

The Los Angeles office occasionally presents the commendation when it learns of local soldiers who fought in the Korean War.

Army veteran Leo Chade, who served from 1953-55, said it was an honor to receive commendation.

“I was there for 18 months and I loved the Koreans,” he said. “I can’t describe how wonderful they were.”

Each Ambassador for Peace medal presented was accompanied by a proclamation that says, in part: “It is a great honor and pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy.” It concludes with: “Let each of us reaffirm our mutual respect and friendship that they may endure for generations to come.”