WHEREAS, Korean and Korean American veterans of the Vietnam conflict served honorably throughout the conflict, fighting courageously both in and alongside the United States Armed Forces and often making the ultimate sacrifice, with many later becoming United States citizens; and

WHEREAS, The United States holds as its highest ideals freedom, democracy, and self-determination; and

WHEREAS, During the Vietnam conflict, more than 3 million members of the United States Armed Forces fought bravely to preserve and defend these ideals, among them many Korean Americans who valiantly and honorably served their country; and

WHEREAS, No fewer than 58,193 members of the United States Armed Forces were killed, more than 300,000 were wounded, and 2,000 are still missing in action; and

WHEREAS, The Republic of Korea joined the Vietnam conflict to support the United States Armed Forces and the cause of freedom at the request of the United States; and

WHEREAS, From 1964 until the last soldier left Saigon on March 23, 1973, 325,517 members of the Republic of Korea’s armed forces served in Vietnam, the largest contribution of troops sent by an ally of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Republic of Korea forces fought bravely throughout the theater and were known for their dedication, tenacity, and effectiveness on the battlefield; and

WHEREAS, In addition to those Korean Americans who served in the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, some of whom gave their lives for their country, during the conflict, 4,407 Republic of Korea troops were killed and 17,606 were injured, many in defense of American friends and allies; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that thousands of veterans of the Vietnam conflict who fought for the cause of the United States under the flag of the Republic of Korea currently reside in the United States and that most of them have become American citizens; and

WHEREAS, California has the most populous Korean diaspora in the world, with more than 452,000 people of Korean descent; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that 20 percent of Korean veterans of the Vietnam conflict suffer from significant injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder, total disability, and the effects of the toxic defoliant Agent Orange; and

WHEREAS, Korean American veterans of the Vietnam conflict upheld the highest ideals of the United States through their dedicated service and considerable sacrifices, with many continuing to carry the visible and invisible wounds of war to this day; now, therefore, be it