Korean War flight nurse to be honored with Ambassador for Peace Medal at Wyoming Capitol

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - More than 70 years after Capt. Jonita Ruth Bovee Bonham cared for wounded service members during the Korean War, her service and sacrifice will be honored at the Wyoming State Capitol.

Bonham will be recognized with the Republic of Korea's Ambassador for Peace Medal during a ceremony Sept. 17, 2026, in Cheyenne. Her daughter, Renee Bovee, will accept the medal on her behalf.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon; Gilhyun Lee, Patriots and Veterans Affairs attaché with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington, D.C.; and representatives from Vet to Vet Tennessee are expected to participate in the presentation.

The Ambassador for Peace Medal is presented by the Republic of Korea to veterans who served during the Korean War. The medal is a way for the Korean people to thank American veterans who helped defend South Korea during the war.

Bonham's story stands out.

She served as an Army nurse during World War II and later as a flight nurse during the Korean War. While serving in Korea, she was wounded while helping save the lives of service members.

About 4,800 American women served in the Korean War, making finding and recognizing these veterans increasingly difficult more than seven decades later.

E.J. Junod, co-founder and chairman of Vet to Vet Tennessee and a disabled Vietnam veteran, has worked with the Republic of Korea for more than 11 years to locate Korean War veterans and help present them with the Ambassador for Peace Medal.

Between 1.7 million and 1.8 million American service members served during the Korean War. Vet to Vet Tennessee has helped locate medal recipients in all 50 states and five countries.

But the organization had never located a female Korean War veteran for the recognition.

That changed in July 2026.

With help from the women's military museum in Arlington, Virginia, the organization located Bonham and learned more about her military service.

For Junod, honoring Bonham is also an opportunity to find other women who served during the Korean War before their stories are lost.

The Sept. 17 ceremony will bring together representatives from Wyoming, the Republic of Korea, veterans and Bonham's family to remember her service and recognize the lasting bond between the United States and South Korea.

Ceremony Information

What: Ambassador for Peace Medal presentation honoring Capt. Jonita Ruth Bovee Bonham

When: Sept. 17, 2026

Where: Wyoming State Capitol, Cheyenne, Wyoming

Participants: Gov. Mark Gordon; Gilhyun Lee, Patriots and Veterans Affairs attaché, Embassy of the Republic of Korea; Vet to Vet Tennessee; and Renee Bovee

Veterans, families or others with information about women who served during the Korean War are encouraged to contact Vet to Vet Tennessee.

Contact:

E.J. Junod

Vet to Vet Tennessee

[email protected]