UN Veteran Johannes Holtzmann, Buried at UN Memorial Park on the 30th
A repatriation ceremony for the remains of Dutch soldiers who volunteered in the Korean War and defended strategic key points will be held in Korea.
On the 28th, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced that the repatriation ceremony for the late Johannes Holtzmann, who served as a private in the Netherlands' Van Heutsz Battalion during the Korean War for ten months starting in October 1952, will take place tomorrow (29th) at Incheon International Airport.
The remains of the deceased will be buried at the UN Memorial Park in Busan on the 30th following the repatriation ceremony. With this, the total number of UN veterans laid to rest at the UN Memorial Park in Busan will reach 30.
The late Johannes Holtzmann volunteered to participate in the Korean War at the age of 21. Despite his brother having been killed in action at the age of 22 during World War II, he made this decision.
Upon arriving at Busan Port in 1952, he was assigned first to construct a bunker at "York Hill" in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province.
Later, he was given the mission to secure the battlefield defined by Cheorwon, Kimhwa, and Pyeonggang, referred to as the "Iron Triangle." Amid the sorrow of losing seven comrades, he defended the trenches until the end.
The 'Iron Triangle' he protected was a key strategic point on the central front, characterized by optimal defensive terrain where numerous battles took place.
For his contributions, he received various medals, including the Netherlands' "Cross of Justice and Freedom," the Korean War Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the 2nd Class Presidential Unit Citation of Korea.
In 2015, he revisited Korea through a veterans' return program and expressed his hope to be buried in the UN Memorial Park after witnessing the Korean government's respectful treatment of British veterans' remains.
The repatriation of the remains, which does not have surviving family, will be conducted by a representative from the Dutch Veterans Association.
Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kang Jeong-ae stated, "I express deep condolences and gratitude to the late Johannes Holtzmann, and I will actively promote various international veterans' projects to ensure that the sacrifices and dedication of the 22 UN participating nations' veterans are perpetuated."
Image source: Korean War Dutch Veteran Late Johannes Holtzmann / Photo provided by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Material photos for understanding the article / News1
