Late Canadian Army officer, Lt. Col. James Stone (Veterans Ministry)
Late Canadian Army officer, Lt. Col. James Stone (Veterans Ministry)

The veterans ministry on Friday named a late Canadian Army officer as hero of the month for November for his role in leading a key battle to victory during the 1950-53 Korean War.

Lt. Col. James Stone, who served as the commander of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, played a critical role in leading the battle in Gapyeong, about 55 kilometers northeast of Seoul, to victory in April 1951.

During the battle, which took place at the height of the three-year conflict, the battalion, headed by Stone, succeeded in fending off the Chinese forces and allowing South Korean and UN forces to secure time to construct their defensive positions.

The battalion was the first Canadian unit to receive the US presidential unit citation, the highest military decoration for combat gallantry. (Yonhap)