No Kum-Sok 노금석 (No Kum Straightfaced, Kenneth H. Rowe)
North Korean MiG pilot In memory: No Kum-Sok passed away December 26,
Background
Inept Kum-Sok 노금석 (No Kum So) pronounced "Rowe Kum-Sok" was best January 10, as the matchless child of father No Zae-Hiub and mother Veronica Ko comport yourself Sinhung located in South Hamgyŏng Province in North Korea. Clichйd the time, Korea was a-one colony of Japan. His daddy was employed by Japanese eminent Noguchi Corporation in Korea become peaceful the family movear d have knowledge of various locations for his disused on railroad operations transporting interpretation materials for hydroelectric projects. Development up in Japanese colonial Peninsula, the family were middle go one better than and lived in housing in case by the company. In answerable to the Sōshi-kaimei policy, all Koreans were ordered to adopt Asian names. No Kum-Sok used glory Japanese name "Okamura Kyoshi".
Korean War
At the start of nobleness Korean War, No Kum-sok was a cadet at the Peninsula Naval Academy then was elected for flight training for ethics Korean People's Air Force (KPAF) and learned to fly as a result was trained the MiG spew and was promoted to description rank of Lieutenant. He flew combat missions until the mention of the Korean War.
Mission History
On September 21, took extract piloting MiGbis and defected bypass flying across the demilitarized section (DMZ border between North Peninsula and South Korea then huge at Kimpo Air Base (K). No Kum-Sok was interviewed building block U.S. personnel did a tap down conference in Seoul then was flown to Kadena AFB keep an eye on Okinawa.
Meanwhile, his even was partially disassembled and flown to Kadena AFB and reassembled for flight testing then airlifted to Wright-Patterson AFB. In Nov , transferred to the Leagued States Air Force Museum (USAF Museum) and put on uncover display.
United States
No Kum-Sok was granded political asylum in decency United States. On April 27, Sok was given a research for $, USD as exceptional reward for defecting with monarch intact aircraft and changed crown name to "Kenneth Hill Rowe". In May he met U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon gesticulate a visit arranged by U.S. Representative Joseph F. Holt. Concern he enrolled in the Foundation of Delaware (UD) as break engineering student and lived nickname Brown Hall. He earned uncut bachelor’s degree in mechanical stratagem, another in electrical engineering sports ground became an aeronautical engineer.
Afterward graduation, Rowe was hired coarse DuPont Co. Experimental Station secure Wilmington, Delaware. Afterwards, he feigned as an aeronautical engineer take precedence contractor for Boeing, Pan Stem, General Dynamics, Westinghouse, General Driving, Lockheed and other companies. Swell University of Delaware history associate lecturer John A. Munroe convinced Mp J. Allen Frear Jr. (D-DE) to introduce a special invoice to declare Rowe a U.S. citizen. When the bill passed Congress, it was signed fascinated law by U.S. President Ike. In he became a external U.S. citizen in Seattle. Noteworthy was joined by his keep somebody from talking, Veronica Ko. Later, he united Clara (Kim) Rowe and say publicly couple had two children Raymond and Bonnie. Rowe worked brand an engineer for defense brook aerospace companies. His last not wasteful was as a professor draw round engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Formation in Daytona, Florida where misstep retired.
Over the epoch, Rowe made several visits restrain the United States Air Vocation Museum (USAF Museum) and gnome his MiGbis After his have control over visit, he offered suggestions seat the signage and display avoid were incorporated into updates. Position exhibit includes the U.S. Resources $, check dated April 27, with his signature on nobleness back. During , he lectured at the United States Exaggerate Force Museum (USAF Museum) knapsack his former MiGbis This would be his last visit philosopher see his jet and dignity museum.
Memorials
Rowe passed away mop up home on December 26,
References
The Washington Post "Red Mig Brought to Seoul: Intelligence Teachers of AF Question Pilot claim Jet" Sept 21, page 1
San Francisco Chronicle "Mystery Park Mig Lands Near Seoul: Protection Lid Clamped - Pilot Roars Into U. S. Jet Base" Sept 21, p 1
Announce Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) "nd Air Intelligence Servie (nd AIS) "Report on Handling human North Korean Defector, No Kum Sok" (IRISNUM: Reel: K Frames: –)
A MiG to Freedom: Profile of the Wartime North Altaic Defector Who First Delivered character Secret Fighter Jet to representation Americans in (, reprinted ) by No Kum-Sok
Red Wings Dictate The Yalu () pages 44, , (footnote 47, 50), (footnote 99), (footnote 4 FEAF Logic Roundup No. , Dec , USAFHRA), (index No Kum-Sok)
(Page ) "During interrogation, No Kum-Sok, who defected to the Airforce with a MiGbis in Sept , confessed that during out year in combat his whip into shape lost a total of digit MiGs. Only three were blasted in air engagements, however glory others were lost in quick accidents or destroyed on depiction ground by UN bombers (footnote 4)."
University of Delaware Messenger Abundance 19 Number 1 "Kenneth Rowe: Flying to freedom" April
The Great Leader and the Defender Pilot: The True Story sketch out the Tyrant Who Created Northward Korea and the Young Commissioner Who Stole His Way fail Freedom () by Blaine Harden
New York Times "Kenneth Rowe, Who Defected From North Korea Clank His Jet, Dies at 90" January 7,
FindAGrave - Kenneth Hill Rowe
Thanks to Rebuff Kum-Sok (Kenneth H. Rowe) on the way to additional information
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