"J. Robert Lunney died peacefully surrounded by his wife and son on Thursday March 10th.  He was born on 15 December 1927 in New York City. Bob was admired by all that knew him for his commitment to family, his humor, passion for history, and dedication to the many organizations he was a member of. Enlisting in the Navy at 17, during World War ll, he served with the Naval Amphibious Forces, Pacific (Marshall Islands and Mariana Islands) 1945-46. During the Korean War he served in Korea, 1950-1951, with the Military Sea Transportation Service as a staff officer (Inchon Landing; Hungnam Evacuation). His Gallant Ship Citation commends Admiral Lunney for his courage and resourcefulness in participating in 'one of the greatest marine rescues in the history of the world' at Hungnam, North Korea during December 1950. The Guinness Book of World Records cites this wartime action as, 'The greatest rescue operation ever by a single ship by evacuating 14,000 refugees' threatened with annihilation. He will be missed greatly by his wife of 46 years, Joan, and their son Alex." 

To watch a short film produced by The Korea Society detailing the heroic actions of Rear Admiral J. Robert Lunney, his Captain Leonard La Rue, and many others, please go here. This film was adapted from a program where Rear Admiral J. Robert Lunney spoke alongside author, educator, and US Marine Corps veteran Ned Forney, and former Korea Society Senior Director Dr. Stephen Noerper. To view the full conversation, please go here.