American Legion Post 246 presents “Ambassador For Peace”

Sun City Center, Florida—August 30, 2026
Wedged between World War II and Vietnam, the Korean Conflict is often overlooked. But between 1950 and 1953, 1,789,000 American servicemembers were deployed to Korea. The Republic of Korea is presenting the Korean Ambassador for Peace commemorative medal as an expression of appreciation from the Korean government to United States service men and women who served in the Korean War.
Kenneth R. Mabres was presented the medal in a brief ceremony by American Legion Post 246 Commander Paul Wheat. Mabres served four years in the Air Force as a communications center specialist; his duties were operating teletype and crypto equipment that received and decoded encrypted messages from a sophisticated network of ground-based listening posts and airborne reconnaissance flights. He was assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing, then designated as the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing under the Far East Air Forces (FEAF). He deployed with his unit from Okinawa to bases in Japan and eventually participated in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in Korea.
For his service in Korea, Mabres received the National Defense Service Medal, the UN Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal. This latest award comes from the Republic of Korea Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. Mabres was joined by his son Dan Mabres and daughter Diane Iovino.
The citation reads:
South Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
“Ambassador for Peace”
Official Proclamation
To
Kenneth R. Marbes
It is a great honor and pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy.
We cherish in our hearts the memory of your boundless sacrifices in helping us reestablish our Free Nation.
In grateful recognition of your dedicated contributions, it is our privilege to proclaim you an “AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE” with every good wish of the people of the Republic of Korea. Let each of us reaffirm our mutual respect and friendship that they may endure for generations to come.
Minster
Patriots and Veterans Affaires
Republic of Korea