6·25 War Hero, 98-Year-Old General Kim Doo-man's Heartwarming First Pitch

On June 6, Memorial Day for Heroes, a special first pitch took place at the Jamsil Baseball Stadium during a professional baseball game. General Kim Doo-man (98), a pilot who fought in the Korean War, stepped up to the mound to deliver the first pitch.

During the game between the Doosan Bears and the Lotte Giants in the "2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League" on June 6, General Kim Doo-man's first pitch was complemented by a first hit from Major Kang Byeong-jun (33), an F-15K pilot.

General Kim Doo-man is recognized as the first fighter pilot in the Republic of Korea to record 100 missions. He has served as the Commander of the Republic of Korea Air Force Operations and the 11th Chief of Air Staff.

His illustrious contributions have been acknowledged with the Eulji Merit Medal and the Eunseong Chungmu Medal, and he has also been selected as one of the top ten heroes of the Korean War.

Despite his advanced age nearing 100, General Kim appeared sprightly on the field. Before his first pitch, he expressed, "I flew over a hundred missions during the Korean War. It’s been such a long time, and now I’m able to pitch. I ask for your continued support for the Air Force."

Major Kang Byeong-jun, who threw the first hit that day, is the grandson of the late General Gang Ho-ryun (1925-1990), the first pilot of the Republic of Korea Air Force. Following in his grandfather's footsteps, he has become an F-15K fighter pilot and is dedicated to national defense.

General Gang Ho-ryun, like General Kim Doo-man, fought in the Korean War and served as a reserve Air Force Brigadier General.

Major Kang shared, "I feel overwhelmed thinking how proud my grandfather would have been to see today." He continued, "I will become a pilot who steadfastly protects the Republic of Korea with the indomitable spirit and invincible skills like my grandfather and General Kim Doo-man."

The event began with a moment of silence for the spirits of the fallen heroes, and after the first pitch and hit, an extraordinary scene unfolded as an F-15K formation flew low over Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

Professional baseball fans gave a warm round of applause for the first pitch thrown by the veteran who dedicated his life to the country.

Image source: On June 6, Memorial Day, General Kim Doo-man (retired Air Force General), a fighter pilot from the Korean War, throws the first pitch at the professional baseball Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League game between Doosan and Lotte held in Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Songpa District, Seoul. / News1, On June 6, Memorial Day, General Kim Doo-man (retired Air Force General, center), a fighter pilot from the Korean War, throws the first pitch and Major Kang Byeong-jun greets the audience at the professional baseball Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League game held in Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Songpa District, Seoul. / News1