Forgotten Heroes: Canada and the Korean War

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Topic spans: 1950 - 1999

Forgotten Heroes: Canada and the Korean War

It is called Canada's "Forgotten War." Over 500 Canadians died in the United Nations' struggle to repel the communist forces that invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. To the people they helped liberate, the Canadians were heroes. Yet those who made it home returned to an indifferent country and a government that took 40 years to officially acknowledge their sacrifice.

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A veteran recalls the Battle of Kap'yong

Broadcast Date: July 27, 1999

Of the Princess Patricias' many battle honours, the Battle of Kap'yong represents a Canadian first. Beginning around 10 p.m. on Apr. 24, 1951 and lasting into the early hours of Apr. 25, the Princess Patricias withstand a fierce assault by Chinese and North Korean soldiers on the unit's position atop a hill called 677. Veteran Don Hibbs recalls the heroic stand that made the Princess Patricias the only Canadian battalion in history to win a U.S. Presidential Unit Citation for valour.

A veteran recalls the Battle of Kap'yong

The battle for Hill 677 cost the Princess Patricias 10 lives and 23 wounded. For their courage, Pte. Wayne Robert Mitchell received the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Pte. Kenneth Francis Barwise received the Military Medal. Capt. J. G. W. "Wally" Mills earned the Military Cross. Pte. Mitchell was one of eight Canadians to win the Distinguished Conduct Medal in Korea, the award for gallantry second only to the Victoria Cross.

A veteran recalls the Battle of Kap'yong

Medium: Television

Program: The National Magazine

Broadcast Date: July 27, 1999

Guest(s): Don Hibbs

Reporter: Dan Bjarnason

Duration: 1:53

Last updated:
Nov. 19, 2004

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