California post office renamed after Korean American veteran killed in Iraq

December 19, 2022

A post office in Placentia, California, has been renamed after a fallen Korean American soldier.

U.S. Army Private First Class Jang Ho Kim died in a roadside bomb explosion in Baghdad on Nov. 13, 2006.

In February, U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R, CA-39) introduced the bill to rename the building at 1400 N. Kraemer Blvd. The bill passed last Wednesday, designating the facility as “PFC Jang Ho Kim Post Office Building.”

“While PFC Jang Ho Kim left us too soon, his legacy of courage and service lives on through his loved ones, others he inspired to serve and all those who share his story,” Kim said in a statement. “We can enjoy our American freedoms because of the sacrifice of those who have served. I’m grateful to the entire California delegation for backing this bill and thrilled we are one step closer to preserving PFC Kim’s honorable story in Placentia for years to come.”

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Kim immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea in 1990. He graduated from Valencia High School and attended Fullerton College before enlisting in June 2005.

The fallen hero was first stationed in Germany as part of the Army’s 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division before being deployed to Baghdad. He did not inform his family of his deployment to prevent them from worrying.

Kim was one of two soldiers who were killed after a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle. He received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal, as well as four other awards, medals and badges for his service and sacrifice.

Kim was buried at the Riverside National Cemetery.

“Jang Ho was a dedicated Army servicemember, promising young man, and proud American,” his family said. “We love and miss him dearly and are very grateful to the Congresswoman for working hard to honor his memory.”

The Placentia post office is now the fifth U.S. facility to be named after Koreans or Korean Americans, according to The Korea Times. The first four — all located in Los Angeles — include the Dosan Ahn Chang Ho (Sanford) Post Office, Charles H. Kim Elementary School, Young Oak Kim Academy and Wilshire/Western/Alfred Hoyun Song Station.

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