Shin Hyun-joon was a lieutenant general and the first Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. He is South Korea's longest-serving general officer, as well as the nation's longest-serving ambassador. General Shin is known as "The Father of the Marine Corps."
Career
He served from April 15, 1949 until October 15, 1953 with a US 1950 Silver Star medal including 5 more prizes and decorations that were awarded to him by the South Korean government. He joined the Korean Coast Guard, the predecessor of the Republic of Korea Navy, as lieutenant in 1946. Following the failed amphibious assault during the Yosu Rebellion, Admiral Son Won-il tasked Shin with creating a ground combat unit within the navy. he was assigned as one of the core members of ROK Marine and founded ROK Marine Corps on April 15, 1949. Colonel Shin commanded Marines during the Incheon Landing, served as Commandant throughout the Korean War. He voluntarily relinquished the Corps' top position following the war, but remained in uniform until May 1961. President Park appointed Shin to a series of ambassador posts. He served as the Republic of Korea's first ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, with additional accreditation to Liberia. He subsequently served as delegate to the World Anti-Communist League. Ambassador Shin served as the first South Korean ambassador to the Holy See, serving during the reigns of Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul I, and Pope John Paul II.
Awards and Decorations
October 1950 - Silver Star Medal August 1951- Legion of Merit, Degree of Commander October 1951 - Order of Military Merit, Ulchi with Gold Star October 1952 - Order of Military Merit, Taeguk with Silver Star December 1952 - Order of Military Merit, Chungmu with Gold Star June 1953 - Order of Military Merit, Chungmu October 1953 - Order of Military Merit, Taeguk with Silver Star February 1954 - Legion of Merit, Degree of Chief Commander November 1954 - Order of Military Merit, Ulchi with Gold Star December 1962 - Order of Military Merit, Chungmu with Silver Star December 1963 - Diplomatic Service Award January 1964 - Great Band July 1970 - Grand Cordon June 1976 - Grand Cross of the Order of Pope Pius IX
In his later years, he lived in Niceville, Florida. He died on October 14, 2007, in Niceville, Florida and was buried at the Daejeon National Cemetery in South Korea. He had two sons, Ong-In Shin and Ong-Mok, and his four daughters Cecila LaForet, Soon Mi Shin, Soon Wa Shin, and Maria Abbot. Shin's wife, Ham Hae-ryong, died six years before him in 2001.
