Chae Byong-duk (17 April 1916 – 27 June 1950) was a South Korean army general.
Early life
On 17 April 1916, he was born in South Pyongan Province. In 1933, he entered the Imperial Japanese Army Academy.[1]
Military career
During World War II, he served as an officer in the Imperial Japanese Army.
After the Liberation of Korea from 35 years of Japanese rule, he joined the Republic of Korea Army.
In April 1950, he started a second term as a Chief of Staff (Rank: Major general).
Following the outbreak of the Korean War, the Republic of Korea Army collapsed rapidly.
On 30 June 1950, Chae Byong-duk was dismissed and he transferred to South Gyeongsang Province Defence Command.
On 23 July, he was killed in action in the Battle of Hadong.[2]
Legacy
He is the only South Korean Army General who was in killed in action during the Korean War. (There are some South Korean Army and Air Force Generals who were killed by accident and during the Korean War.[3])
There is a memorial in Hadong County.[4]
