Assefa Marye

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Bio

Colonel Assefa Marye was born in January 1930 in Wollo, Ethiopia. Colonel Assefa began his service with the Ethiopian Imperial Guard in 1948. At just 22 years old, he joined the Korean expedition, already aware of the conflict before his deployment. He witnessed the return of the first and subsequent contingents of the Kagnew Battalion after they completed their missions.

When his Kagnew Battalion arrived in Korea, the fighting had ended, and peace negotiations were underway, so he did not see combat. In addition to supporting peacekeeping efforts for the Korean people, he played a key role in maintaining the extensive fuel line known as Bunjambo. When the Fourth Kagnew Battalion departed Korea on January 3, 1965.

After returning from Korea, Colonel Assefa married and was blessed with eight children and seven grandchildren. He was widely respected for his unwavering commitment to justice, remarkable work ethic, and heroic spirit. Upon his return to Ethiopia, he continued to serve with distinction in the Imperial Guard until the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974.