The U.S. Eighth Army has again received South Korea’s highest military honor, earning the country’s Presidential Unit Citation for its service in defense of the Republic of Korea. The award was presented this month during South Korea’s Armed Forces Day.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung presented the citation to the Eighth Army on Oct. 1. Armed Forces Day honors the day South Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel during the war.

The Army said the honor recognized the Eighth Army’s “sustained commitment to defend the Republic of Korea, vital contributions to combined readiness and unwavering dedication to the U.S.-ROK alliance.”

Lt. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, the Eighth Army commanding general, discussed the citation Monday while speaking at the Association of the United States Army conference. Hilbert said the American force received the distinction alongside Korean units.

“It’s an incredible honor for us and it continued to demonstrate the partnership and the alliance that we’ve got with the Koreans as we work together for the defense of really two countries, Korea and the United States,” Hilbert said.

The Eighth Army was the only American formation to receive a unit level award during Armed Forces Day. That distinction placed the American formation alongside the Korean units honored during the event.

The latest award followed changes to joint exercises between the United States and South Korea. The U.S. halted joint exercises with South Korea in August after President Donald Trump ordered a large annual drill to be substantially reduced.

Additional joint exercises were also canceled, with the military citing resource requirements for the war with Iran. Hilbert addressed the resulting training changes during his appearance at the Association of the United States Army conference.

According to Hilbert, some of the live exercises were reduced by roughly 50%. He nevertheless said the Eighth Army continues to conduct the training activities that remain possible with the resources available to the formation.

Hilbert said the Eighth Army is “able to continue training and execute the things that we’re able to execute based on the resources” it has received so far.

Image Credit: DoW

The South Korean Presidential Unit Citation does not refer to the changes in joint exercises. Instead, its formal language recognizes the commander and personnel for carrying out their duties and contributing to South Korea’s national security.

“[T]his citation is hereby presented in recognition of the commander and all personnel who, through the faithful execution of their duties, have made significant contributions to the preservation of national security,” the award states.

The latest presentation was not the first time the Eighth Army received South Korea’s Presidential Unit Citation. The formation previously received the honor 12 years ago from President Park Geun-hye.

That earlier citation recognized the Eighth Army’s part in a number of exercises and its addition of a rotational aerial reconnaissance squadron. The latest award instead cited sustained commitment, combined readiness and dedication to the alliance.

Several American units also received the South Korean Presidential Unit Citation during the Korean War. Those formations included the 1st Marine Division, the 7th Infantry Division and the 65th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division, among others.

For the Eighth Army, the newest citation adds another South Korean Presidential Unit Citation to its record. It also marks another formal recognition of the unit’s service in defense of South Korea and its work alongside Korean forces.