The War Memorial of Korea on Thursday held a ceremony to designate late Admiral Sohn Won-il, the country’s first chief of naval operations, as patriotic hero of the month.

Some 200 Navy and Marine troops and top officials attended the ceremony in Seoul. Also at the event were Sohn’s family members, including his widow Hong Eun-hye and eldest son Sohn Myoung-won.

The commemorative event for Sohn, often hailed as “the father of the Korean Navy,” came four days before the 68th anniversary of the Navy‘s foundation.

“By inheriting Admiral Sohn’s patriotic spirit through which he made sacrifices for our nation and people, we will try our utmost to make a strong Navy that can fight and win in any war against any adversary, and a Navy that can garner the public trust,” said CNO Adm. Hwang Ki-chul.

Sohn’s son Myoung-won expressed gratitude to the War Memorial and Navy for arranging the ceremony.

“I can stand here only because of the legacy my father has left behind, and that is his sacrifice for other people and our nation,” said Sohn. “I am sure that you, Navy officials here, would also leave behind the legacy of your sacrifices that would surely command the respect of many people.”

Admiral Sohn, who died in 1980 at age 71, is revered as a legendary military leader for shaping the Korean Navy. In 1947, he was inaugurated as the first CNO. He also served as defense minister from 1953-56 and ambassador to Germany from 1957-60.

In recognition of his contributions and achievements, Sohn received a variety of awards and decorations, including the Order of Military Merit, the Award of the U.S. Silver Star, the Order of Military Merit Taegeuk and the U.N. War Medal.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)