A Korean War Group to Battle of Kap'yong Veteran; Corporal Frances Hardy 2nd PPCLI

Description: Korea Medal (SB-800622 F. HARDY); United Nations Korea Medal (SB-800622 F. HARDY); and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea. Naming is officially impressed on the KM, engraved on the UNKM, the CVSMK is un-named. KM and UNKM are court-mounted with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, the CVSMK un-mounted, original ribbons, tarnish spots evident on the KM, light contact, very fine. Accompanied by two United States Army Presidential Unit Citations (one in blue and yellow embroidery on a army army green wool base, 18 mm x 39 mm; the other with a blue ribbon in a gilt metal frame, 15.5 mm x 36.5 mm, dual push pin points); Canadian Parachutist Wings (yellow and white embroidery on a black wool base, 42 mm x 115 mm); Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Insignia Set (bronze gilt, cap badge: 33.5 mm x 48.5 mm, collar tabs: 31 mm x 39.5 mm each); Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Shoulder Flash (white embroidered lettering a on a red cotton base, white cotton mesh backer, 23 mm x 75 mm); Canadian 25th Brigade Shoulder Patch (silver and gold-coloured bullion wire in various textures, on a red wool base, white cotton backer, 58 mm x 75 mm); Commonwealth Forces Patch (blackened, silver and gold-coloured bullion wire in various textures, with red and blue embroidery, on a light blue wool base, white cotton backer with the inscription "1952-53 Korea - 1 Comwel Div", 60 mm x 82 mm); and Korea Service Badge 1950-1953 (gilt metal with red, white and green enamels, numbered "9774" on the reverse, 18.7 mm, push pin point). All items in a glass-faced wooden presentation case. Footnote: Corporal Frances Hardy, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, received the Army Presidential Unit Citation from the American government, for successful actions at the Battle of Kap'yong on April 14-25, 1951. The Battle of Kap'yong (also known as the Battle of Jiaping) was fought during the Korean War between United Nations (UN) forces, primarily Australian and Canadian, and the Chinese communist People's Volunteer Army. The fighting occurred during the Chinese Spring Offensive and saw the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade establish blocking positions in the Kap'yong Valley, on a key route south to the capital, Seoul. The two forward battalions, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) and the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (2 PPCLI) occupied positions astride the valley and hastily developed defences. As thousands of South Korean soldiers began to withdraw through the valley, the Chinese infiltrated the brigade position under the cover of darkness, and assaulted the Australians on Hill 504 during the evening and into the following day. Although heavily outnumbered, the 27th Brigade held their positions into the afternoon before the Australians were finally withdrawn to positions in the rear of the brigade, with both sides having suffered heavy casualties. The Chinese then turned their attention to the Canadians on Hill 677, but during a fierce night battle they were unable to dislodge them. The fighting helped blunt the Chinese offensive and the actions of the Australians and Canadians at Kap'yong were important in assisting to prevent a breakthrough on the United Nations Command central front, and ultimately the capture of Seoul. The two battalions bore the brunt of the assault and stopped an entire Chinese division during the hard fought defensive battle. The next day, the Chinese withdrew back up the valley, in order to regroup. Today, the battle is regarded as one of the most famous actions fought by the Australian and Canadian armies in Korea. (C:14)