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    Marine stationed on Okinawa returns home to serve

    Exercise Key Resolve 2010

    Photo By Cpl. Abigail Brown | Cpl. H. "Jay" Yoon, data networking specialist, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine...... read more read more

    CAMP MUJUK, SOUTH KOREA

    03.19.2010

    Story by Cpl. Abigail Brown 

    III Marine Expeditionary Force   

    Among the hustle and bustle of Exercise Key Resolve 2010, a Korean-American Marine helps interpret between the people from his homeland and the land he now serves. Cpl. H. "Jay" Yoon, data networking specialist, Headquarters Company, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, now deployed as an interpreter has been able to help strengthen the bond between the two countries.

    "Yoon has been able to help strengthen the relationship between the U.S. Marines and the Republic of Korea Marines because of his past in Korea and his military excellence," said Sgt. Michael L. McCullum, data non-commissioned officer in-charge, 4th Marines.

    Yoon was born in Nebraska and moved to Seoul with his mother as an infant. He attended Seoul Foreign School until his senior year when his mother sent him to New York to attend the New York Military Academy.

    Although he attended a military academy, Yoon said it didn't effect his decision to eventually join the Marine Corps.

    "At the time I was just mad that I had to give up my senior year at the school I had been going to," Yoon said. "Looking back, it wasn't a big deal. I still had fun, and it was a new experience."

    Yoon said he visited the United States several times while growing up in Korea, so the transition to living there during his school days wasn't a big deal.

    "When I was growing up I made many trips to the states to see my brothers that were already there. So it wasn't a big shock or anything to move there," he said.

    After high school Yoon said he worked odd jobs and lived on the streets most of the time.

    When he finally decided to join the Corps, he was living with a friend that had decided to move out of town. Yoon said he realized he had to make a change and do something with his life or he would end up homeless again and possibly in trouble.

    "I thought I might end up in jail and knew I had to make a change," Yoon commented. "So I came here."

    At the age of 20 Yoon took the oath of enlistment and began his new life.

    "I was lucky to be attached to III MEF so I can stay in the in the Pacific and participate in exercises that bring me close to home," he said.

    So far, Yoon has participated in two exercises in Korea and been able to return on leave twice.

    Although Yoon took the Defense Language Proficiency Test, he said he thinks he gets recommended as a translator more from word of mouth then his military records.

    On his first deployment to South Korea, Yoon was detained for a week at Yongsan Garrison. Yoon said that although he is an American citizen, he is somehow in a family registry in Korea. Since every Korean male is bound to two years of military service at the age of 18, he was detained because he had not served his military time in Korea.

    "For me it was another week at home," Yoon said. "I didn't mind being here at all, although in the back of my mind I was worried about the outcome."

    While detained, Yoon went to work with the Marine Forces Korea Marines stationed there. A United States Forces Korea lawyer made a deal for Yoon.

    "As long as I'm serving in the U.S. military, I can come and go from Korea freely," Yoon said. "As soon as I'm not serving here I have to either stop visiting Korea or serve time in the Korean military."

    As a U.S. Marine, Yoon is serving outstandingly.

    "Yoon is a hard worker," McCullum said. "His time in Korea has definitely given him a different perspective on life and a new appreciation for the service."

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.19.2010
    Date Posted: 03.23.2010 20:05
    Story ID: 47108
    Location: CAMP MUJUK, KR

    Web Views: 102
    Downloads: 72

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