Korean name bestowed upon Lt. Gen. Wood by pro-American Korean group

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Rene White
  • 7 AF/PA
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  One of the greatest gifts we receive in our life is our name; whether given at birth or earned as an Air Force call-sign, our names influence our personality and our destiny.

Tonight, the destiny for Seventh Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood became more vivid, as a pro-American Korean group bestowed upon him a Korean name.

Witnessed by the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley and approximately 200 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines and ROK civic leaders, Chairman Suh Jin Sup of the Korea-U.S. Alliance Friendship Society gave General Wood the name "Woo, Chang Hui." (Pronounced Woo, Chang Hee.)

The naming ceremony was part of a larger recognition ceremony where 45 Korean leaders presented 50 Airmen certificates embossed with the gold letters "ROK-US."

Symbolizing the strong ROK-US Alliance here, the general said, "It is not by my actions alone, that I accept this incredible honor."

"It is because of these amazing Wingmen whom I have the pleasure of serving with that I gladly accept this token of our friendship and our continued dedication to the ROK-US Alliance," the general added.

The family origin of the last name "Woo" not only sounds like the general's last name, it designates him as "Mr. Woo of Osan," for Seventh Air Force's home Osan Air Base.

"It is meaningful as he becomes the progenitor (or model) of Mr. Woo from Osan," the chairman said.

"Chang Hui" derives its meaning from the sound "Chang" meaning blue and "Hui" (pronounced Hee) meaning bright or sparkling.

"This is his position as the Seventh Air Force commander," explained Chairman Suh. Also, "the naming contains a hero of the Air Force that makes the clear- and blue-sky bright."

The chairman said the "Korean American Alliance is bonded in a blood tie" from the Korean War, and is a "key note" for Korean people's "security." The name also contains the meaning that requests for the general's efforts to "keep Korea's peace."

During December 2007, the Korea-US Alliance Friendship Society gave Gen. B.B. Bell, U.S. Forces in Korea (USFK) commander the name "Baek, Bo-Guk."

"Baek," has a pronunciation that is similar to General Bell's last name and it symbolizes the color white. Ancient Korean descendents were known for wearing white robes.

"Bo-Guk," means "defending a country," and reflects South Korea's desire for the commander to make a continued contribution to the nation's defense, according to an official from the organization.

A related USKF story is online at http://www.usfk.mil/org/fkpa/news/newsArchive.asp?id=909.

General Wood leads 7,800 Airmen assigned to the Seventh Air Force across the Republic of Korea, providing "Ready to Fight Tonight" expeditionary air, space and cyberspace power, including command and control and information operations.

The primary mission for U.S. Air Forces in Korea is to deter war and defend the ROK-US Alliance.

General Wood's bio is online at http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7649. More information about the Seventh Air Force can be found at http://www.7af.pacaf.af.mil/.