YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea - An Army logistics officer who has built cultural bridges during his three tours in Korea was recently selected as the 2010 winner of the National Image, Inc., Meritorious Service Award.
Capt. Edward H. Cho, Special Troops Battalion-Korea logistics officer, will receive the award in San Diego in April. The Department of Defense-level award honors military members and DoD civilians who embody the core values of their service or agency.
"If I had to choose one specific act for this award, I'd hope it would be for fostering cultural and ethnic understanding between the United States Forces Korea and Republic of Korea Soldiers and citizens," said Cho.
A Korean American who grew up in Diamond Bar, Calif., Cho welcomed the opportunity to serve in Korea when received orders to Camp Hovey in 2000. During his first assignment, he coordinated tours for his fellow Soldiers to the Korean War Memorial and Korean Folk Village.
Cho later returned to Korea as a company commander with Combat Support Coordination Team 1 at Camp Long in Wonju, where he organized numerous exchange programs with the Republic of Korea Army and adopted a local orphanage.
In his current assignment, Cho serves with Special Troops Battalion-Korea, a theater-level formation that supports the United Nations Command, ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea and Eighth (Field) Army.
"The secret to my success can be attributed to all the stellar officers, noncommissioned officers and Soldiers over the years who have taught me to foster work environments and relationships where people are valued, respected and provided every opportunity to reach their highest potential," said the 9-year Army veteran.
Cho said the award is representative of the values the U.S. Army instills in its Soldiers.
"I'm humbled and honored to be receiving an award for my service that validates that all people are created equal and that diversity is something to be celebrated," said Cho. "This award is a culmination of all the core values of the military, which Soldiers on the Korean Peninsula display every day."
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