Edward Samegawa
Edward Samegawa | |
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| File:EddykyunSamegawa.jpg | |
| Nickname(s) | 'Ed' 'Ed the Boomer' 'Armored Joey' 'The Kangaroo General' (by Joyonghean troops) 'Ed-hyung' (by Namgung Wook-yun) 'Eddy-kyun' (by Chae Hwa-young in their relationship) |
| Born | 15 April 1913 Melbourne, Elizabeth, Zanarkand |
| Died | 15 December 2003 (aged 90) Sydney, New South Niflheim, Zanarkand |
| Buried | Enclosed in a refrigerated tomb inside Edward and Hwa-young Mausoleum at Sydney Third Joyonghean-Quenminese War Memorial |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom Zanarkand and the Besaid Islands Joyonghea(merged with the 1st Conglomerate under Chae Hwa-young) |
| Service/ | Zanarkian Army |
| Years of service | 1933 - 1947 |
| Rank | Colonel (1936) Brigadier (1938) Major General (1940) |
| Commands held | Royal Zanarkian Guards (1934-1935) 3rd Battalion, Royal Zanarkian Regiment (1935-1937) XX Zanarkian Corps (1937-1939) Fifth Zanarkian Imperial Force (1939)  1st Zanarkian-Joyonghean Army Group
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| Battles/wars | Second Europan War * Third Joyonghean-Quenminese War |
| Awards | Commonwealth Honors Georgius Cross Distinguished Service Cross Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Distinguished Service Honor Legion of St. Georgius Distinguished Conduct Medal Military Medal Second Europan War Victory Medal Order of St. Georgius Joyonghean Honors Order of His Sovereign Highness Order of the Taegeuk Cordon for Distinguished Service Joyonghean Army Honor Medal |
| Relations | Chae Hwa-young (spouse) Samegawa Wook-yun (son) Junichi Samegawa (grandson) |
| Other work | Businessman |
Major General Edward Samegawa CLE, DSO, OZ (15 April 1913 - 15 December 2003) was a Zanarkian military man. He led the Zanarkian intervention against the Quenminese in the Third Joyonghean-Quenminese War. He was also one of the Commonwealth commanders to have been invested with a Joyonghean order for aiding the nation to its defense. He was known for being one of the most competent Generals in the Zanarkian Army as well as being the best Tank Commander in the Army and was also popular with the Joyonghean Troops for his sense of leadership and delivering relief. He is also best known for being the good friend of Joyonghean General Namgung Wook-yun.
He is also known for being the only Zanarkian commander in the Joyonghean theatre of the Second Europan War to be awarded with the Georgius Cross, The highest military decoration for valor in Lucian and Commonwealth Armed Forces.
Early Life
His father was a Colonel in the Zanarkian Army during the First Europan War and his Mother was from Rubrum and became a Kangaroo nurse. He loved seeing Kangaroos and would keep a Joey in his room for company. In school, He was an outsider and didn't care for other people much. He was an expert in History, Statistical, English, Electrical and Trigonometry courses but never liked Physics. He also was not interested in relationships. He was less popular and was bullied and never even cared as his belief was fighting will lead to nothing. Despite him not being able to graduate as one of the honor students, He received numerous awards for exemplary performance in History Oral Defenses and Technological aspects of Electricity.
His loyalty was never questioned, which led him to be awarded with the Governor's Loyalty Merit for his undying loyalty to both his school and in his civilian life and was the only student to have received such an award. He also received audience with King Regis Lucis Caelum CVIII who spoke to the boy and enlightened him with words of knowledge and became his main reason for joining the army. Regis had told that He'd be enrolled in the King's Royal Academy at Melbourne by 18.
Life in the King's Royal Academy
On the age of 18, He enlisted as a Cadet in the King's Royal Academy, Melbourne. Here, He developed an infatuation with Karen Cooper who was training to be a nurse in the Zanarkian Navy. While he was kept busy with his Military training, He was also open-minded in the Commerce courses and was a very viable businessman and hoped to one day make a restaurant of his own. He graduated as an exemplary scholar and was ranked among the Top 50 Graduating Scholars of the King's Royal Academy and Karen was on the Top 10.
His relation, Karen Cooper was much more intelligent than the man but it did not stop the two from ever being with each other's company. If Karen had the brains, Edward had the strategy. In their days in the Academy, They actually had won awards for duo contests. The Academy was actually more in military than it was in personal lives. Edward himself never complained as he had both a time for the two courses. He graduated on X858 with the rank of Major, placing Top 50 of the 2500 Cadets and immediately enlisted in the Army while Karen enlisted in the Navy.
Service in the Zanarkian Army, Second Europan War
In 1933, He enlisted in the Zanarkian Army and was promoted to Colonel. His first task was singing 'Advance Zanarkan Fair' on every morning assemblies. He was also in charge of training troops for combat duty. He was assigned to the Royal Zanarkian Guards and was one of the figures that made the division one of the most popular in the Zanarkand Army. Most of the troops under his commander described him as:
"The toughest boonie-hat wearing Zussie commander in the history of the Division".
He was known as "Ed the Boomer" by his troops for his known love of Kangaroos (Boomer is a slang for a Kangaroo). He even had the division's mascot patch be replaced by a Kangaroo from a Dingo. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1935 when his Superior stepped down and He took over the whole command of the division. When the warning of another war looming in, He had prepared his Division but he was soon assigned to command the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Zanarkian Regiment. He insisted to take the Royal Zanarkian Guards with him but his request was denied but he would soon command them again under the XX Zanarkian Corps and later, The Fifth Zanarkian Imperial Force (5th ZIF).
His first taste of combat happened in 1938, When he was assigned to the East Africanna Front and serving under Major General Archibald Sugiyama's 15th Army Group. He went against the Archadians and the Trabians and had won numerous victories. His successes contributed to his award of the Georgius Medal by the following month, the highest award given to a Commonwealth Soldier for his successful defense that prevented Sugiyama's Main Force from getting flanked while going up against a large Archadian Force.
He was recalled in 1939 back to Darwin to command a force that was bound for Joyonghea. The Zanarkian and the United Kingdom had negotiated with the Joyongheans since 1939 for support since the Joyongheans could not suffer another massive blow from the Quenminese. Samegawa took his XX Zanarkian Corps and took 3 more Army Corps and 3 Tank Corps to form the Fifth Zanarkian Imperial Force, which was soon to be one of the best Zanarkian Armies ever formed in the Military History of Zanarkand.
He arrived on June 13, 1940 and did not expect that he would face his first action during Operation Bugger, The Commonwealth landings at Joyonghea. He had commanded the Zanarkian Forces while the Lucian Forces were led by his friend, Major General Okita Hanamura. His success contributed to the Commonwealth success of meeting its objectives to rendezvous with the Joyonghean forces. From September 1940, He would work with both Joyonghean Generals Namgung Wook-yun and Chae Hwa-young and would soon develop relations with the two. The Fifth Zanarkian Imperial Force would then merge with the 1st Conglomerate to form the 1st Zanarkian-Joyonghean Army Group with him as overall commander.
The trio would then meet several success in the field and spoiling Quenminese plans for a complete take over of the Peninsula. Edward was soon invested with Joyonghean honors for his unending service to defend the land from the Quenminese and became popular with the Joyongheans. He was known to the Joyongheans as "The Kangaroo General". On September X866, He received the news that his lover, Karen was killed during the Battle of Zanarkian Sea while on-board HMZS Melbourne. Her death had hit him hard and he never said his goodbye. Wook-yun and Hwa-young comforted him and swore to defend his two colleagues in his thoughts. He also directed great Tank Warfare skills and this was evident during the Fall of 1942 Campaign. He favored the Lucian Matilda II tank because it was adaptable for jungle and mountainous terrains.
Distinguished Service Cross Citation
War Office, 25th February, 1938
Major General Edward Samegawa, XX Zanarkian Corps
On January 5, He was placed in command of the XX Zanarkian Corps during the Battle of Ridge 61. They were in the most critical position and Maj. General Samegawa had the task of holding against Archadian Forces. However, His XX Corps was far too few to face the larger Archadian Forces. Field Marshal Archibald Sugiyama insisted that he'd be reinforced with troops from his own corps but Samegawa turned down the offer and took the fight with his smaller force.
On the night of the 10th, Samegawa's corps was under attack by the advancing Archadian Forces. Their flank was not the only way in as the Batrusso road was leading to their rear flank and it fell to Enemy hands on the following day. On January 12, His rear came under attack and Samegawa did not anticipate this attack. However, He managed to reinforce his troops and counter the Archadian Force flanking them. By January 14, His Superior, Sugiyama ordered him to withdraw to which he refused and was determined to hold the hill for the Commonwealth and had told Sugiyama that he wanted to buy some time for a counterattack that went through on the 18th of January, sending the Entire Archadian Force back to Cydeni and the ridge remained under Commonwealth control for the whole duration of the battle.
For this, Major General Edward Samegawa is to be awarded with the Distinguished Service cross
Georgius Cross Citation
On June 29, 1944, Samegawa was awarded with the Georgius Cross for his actions during the November Offensive.
War Office, 29th June, 1944
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGIUS CROSS to:-
Major General Edward Samegawa, Fifth Zanarkian Imperial Force, 1st Joyonghean-Zanarkian Army Group
On the 30th of November, Edward planned out the November Offensive of X869 which will have the Joyonghean-Zanarkian Army Group to take Chuncheon from the Quenminese Forces. His second-in-command was fellow Joyonghean commander and lover, Chae Hwa-young. However, His second-in-command insisted that she led the spearhead of troops towards Chuncheon which was near to Inje.
On the 18th of December, Samegawa receives news that Hwa-young's lines were faltering and in-danger of being pushed back. Samegawa then gave out orders to relieve her lines which his fellow commander, Roy Peterson told that the Zanarkian vanguard would not be ready by the following day. Samegawa left and took only his revolver, a Bren gun and other necessities. He took a jeep from the motorpool and sped to the faltering Joyonghean Lines. Along the way, He saw an M4 Firefly with a .50 Cal Theimer Machine gun on top of the turret that was being repaired. Its crew were reduced to only 3. Samegawa then ordered it to be repaired and he abandoned his jeep and manned the machine gun.
When he arrived at the site, He was the only Zanarkian in the battle and could see that a Quenminese platoon was overwhelming the lines of Hwa-young and Samegawa fired to attract the attention of the Quenminese troops. He then ordered the tank to fire at incoming Quenminese Armor until ammunition had ran out. He and the tank crew abandoned the tank. Samegawa took his Bren and started firing back relentlessly, magazine after magazine not wanting to lose every man that there was on the battlefield. When his Bren ran dry, He managed to salvage a Gallian-made M3 Grease Gun from the abandoned M4 Firefly. His concern for others and for the love of his life had inspired him to stand and overcome overwhelming odds. Samegawa managed to held on until the following day and the rest of the Zanarkian vanguard had allowed the Allies to push towards Chuncheon.
There is no doubt that the defense of the Joyongheans would seriously be endangered and especially losing the life of his only love but for Samegawa's bravery, loyalty, complete lack of safety for his own and for the caring of the people that he held dear. His action is an example of the highest degree of bravery that added a new term in the vocabulary, Love.
Post War
After the War, He settled in Joyonghea for a year before going back to Zanarkand with Hwa-young and his son, Wook-yun. They settled in Kirribilli, A suburb of Sydney which was a few kilometers away from the famous Zanarkand Harbour Bridge. He opened a restaurant with Hwa-young and they soon received 2 more children.
Personal Life
During his time in the King's Royal Academy at Melbourne, He had a relation with Karen Cooper, A Nurse at the Zanarkian Navy. The two graduated at the same time in 1932. Tragically, Karen was killed during her duty as a nurse about HMZS Melbourne during the Battle of the Zanarkian Sea in 1940. She had been hit by a stray bullet that entered her back. Edward was hit hard and His colleagues, Wook-yun and Hwa-young tried to comfort him but he refused to speak to anyone for 2 days.
Times passed and he developed a liking towards his colleague and friend, Chae Hwa-young but She had been already in a relationship with Wook-yun who told him to back away but Hwa-young told Edward that She will be with Wook-yun but will love Edward to which Edward told her to do what she wants and that He'll never be in their business but He soon agreed to become the best man after Wook-yun proposed to Hwa-young.
In October 1943, His friend, Wook-yun was killed in action during the Battle of Mushroom Hill and before dying, left to Edward a word to love Hwa-young more than he did which Edward did. During the middle of the November Offensive of 1943, He prevented Hwa-young from sacrificing herself by confessing his love to Hwa-young and proposed to her with a handmade flower ring which she happily accepted. They then spent the night of that day on a small farmhouse before being relieved by a Zanarkian vanguard.
On December 31, 1943 at New Year's Eve, They were married at the stroke of 12 midnight when the 1st of January entered. Hwa-young soon gave birth to a baby boy and the two named him Wook-yun after their friend.
After the war, He was invested with Joyonghean Honors and stayed in Joyonghea for a year before moving back to Zanarkand, taking Hwa-young and his son with him where they settled in Kirribilli, a suburb of Sydney in the state of New South Niflheim and there, The couple had two more children.
Edward died on December 15, 2003 due to natural causes. He was survived by Hwa-young, their 4 children, their 9 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. He is entombed on the Edward Samegawa Mausoleum (later renamed to Edward and Hwa-young Mausoleum when Hwa-young died). His body was dressed in the Zanarkian Army Dress Uniform with his hands holding on his slouch hat and reproduction of his medals pinned on his uniform. His body is enclosed in a refrigerated tomb, where visitors can view his body, along with his other memorabilias. Preservation of his body was done by Dr. Kirito Asakawa and George Maltravers. A flag of Zanarkand and Joyonghea are placed beside his tomb. When Hwa-young died, the tomb was renovated to fit both of the couple's bodies and was reopened the following year. During which, Edward and Hwa-young's bodies were displayed in another tomb, which was available for viewing.
Years later, Edward's ancestral home in Melbourne had been turned into a museum by Hwa-young. His medals, including his Georgius Cross is displayed there along with other memorabilias.
Legacy
In Joyonghea, A city named Edyoung is named after the two's mixed name and is the seat of the Chuncheon Region, the region where their wedding was held. A Joyonghean dish is named Chae Samegawa Bowl which is a typical beef bowl with spicy ingredients that Hwa-young used to make for Edward while the couple was still in Joyonghea for one year. It was first popularized in Zanarkand by Hwa-young in the couple's restaurant in Zanarkand. Today, The beef bowl is still a specialty.
In Zanarkand, A bridge in central Sydney is named Edyoung Bridge after the two, It was erected near the couple's residence in Kirribilli. It opened on October 2, 1964 and the couple was present during the opening ceremony. The bridge has been paraded numerous times during the couple's wedding anniversary by Zanarkians and Joyongheans. Today, A Zanarkian and Joyonghean Flag waves near the stage where the couple declared the bridge open.
Edward and Hwa-young's love story has been pointed as "The Greatest Sign of Friendship between the Commonwealth and Joyonghea" and the two are ranked together as one of the most important figures of the 20th Century. Their love story has been depicted in numerous films, books, manga and anime. Their wedding anniversary was marked ZANJO Day or Zanarkand-Joyonghea Friendship Day.
Their love story is depicted in the 2015 movie, Flower Ring directed by Darzana Magbaredge while Zanarkian commander Richard Philip Todd stars as Edward and his lover Joyonghean commander Seon Myung-dae as Hwa-young due to the two being look-a-likes of the couple. The movie received critical acclaim and was the 3rd highest grossing film of 2015 as well as topping the Zanarkian and Joyonghean theaters within the month of December. The two were married in Zanarkand on the same church where Edward and Hwa-young married in 1946. The movie's theme song, There You'll Be is themed after Edward's promise of loving Hwa-young and in return, Hwa-young's delight of having him in her life.
Honors and Awards
File:Distinguished Service Cross (UK) ribbon1.png
File:UK Conspicuous Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg1.png
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| File:Victoria cross1.jpg | Georgius Cross | 29 June 1944 |
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Order of His Sovereign Highness | 30 June 1945 |
| File:Distinguished Service Cross (UK) ribbon1.png | Distinguished Service Cross | 25 February 1938 |
| File:UK Conspicuous Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg1.png | Conspicuous Gallantry Medal | 25 February 1936 |
| File:OrderoftheTaeguk.png | Order of the Taeguk | 20 August 1944 |
| File:Dso-ribbon1.png | Distinguished Service Honor | 15 May 1936 |
| File:Military Cross ribbon1.png | Military Medal | 15 November 1940 |
| File:US Legion of Merit Chief Commander ribbon1.png | Legion of St. Georgius | 10 September 1940 |
| File:UK George Medal ribbon.svg1.png | Distinguished Conduct Medal | 10 March 1939 |
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Order of St. Georgius | 30 October 1934 |
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Joyonghean Army Honor Medal | 10 October 1943 |
| File:World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg1.png | Second Europan War Victory Medal | 30 June 1945 |