Sohn Won-yil

For other people with the same name, see Son Won-il (voice actor).

In this Korean name, the family name is Sohn.

Sohn Won-yil
Sohn in 1949, during his tenure as a rear admiral.
Korean name
Hangul	손원일
Hanja	孫元一
Revised Romanization	Son Wonil
McCune–Reischauer	Son Wŏnil

Sohn Won-yil (June 22, 1909 in Nampo  – February 15, 1980) was a South Korean naval vice admiral best known for being the first Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) of the Republic of Korea Navy. As one of the founding members of the Republic of Korea Navy, Sohn is generally regarded as the founder of the South Korean navy.

Career

ROKN CNO Read Adm. Sohn Won-yil discussing Korean War operations with Rear Adm. A.E. Smith, USN

Shortly after Korea was liberated from the Empire of Japan on August 15, 1945, Sohn Won-yil, a former merchant mariner and son of the independence activist Sohn Jung-do, led the Maritime Affairs Association. The Association evolved into the Marine Defense Group on November 11, 1945 (later became Navy Foundation Day) and later became the Korean Coast Guard, which was formed in Jinhae. After the new Republic of Korea government was established on August 15, 1948, the Korean Coast Guard has formally renamed the Republic of Korea Navy, and Sohn became the first Chief of Naval Operations of the ROK Navy on September 5, 1948.

After relieved from the service, he was appointed as the fifth Minister of National Defense, and the first ambassador to West Germany.

Legacy

In honor of Sohn, the ROKS Sohn Won-yil (SS 072), the first of Sohn Won-yil class submarines, was commissioned in 2007, named after him.

References

• Biography at the War Memorial Korea official website