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Admiral Yi Sun-sin (Hunminjeongeum: 이순신; Hanja: 李舜臣; April 28, 1545 – December 16, 1598) was a Korean naval commander famed for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin war in the Joseon Dynasty, who became an exemplar of conduct to both the Koreans and Japanese. Despite the fact that he had no prior naval training, Admiral Yi was never defeated at sea nor lost a single ship under his command to enemy action, and military historians have placed him on par with Admiral Horatio Nelson as one of the greatest naval commanders in history. His title of Samdo Sugun Tongjesa (삼도 수군 통제사 ; 三
Admiral Yi Sun-sin (Hunminjeongeum: 이순신; Hanja: 李舜臣; April 28, 1545 – December 16, 1598) was a Korean naval commander famed for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin war in the Joseon Dynasty, who became an exemplar of conduct to both the Koreans and Japanese. Despite the fact that he had no prior naval training, Admiral Yi was never defeated at sea nor lost a single ship under his command to enemy action, and military historians have placed him on par with Admiral Horatio Nelson as one of the greatest naval commanders in history. His title of Samdo Sugun Tongjesa (삼도 수군 통제사 ; 三道水軍統制使), literally meaning "Naval Commander of the Three Provinces", was the title used for the commander of the Korean navy until 1896.
Over the course of his career, Admiral Yi fought in at least 23 recorded naval engagements, all against the Japanese. In most of these battles, he was outnumbered and lacked necessary supplies. His most famous victory occurred at the Battle of Myeongnyang, where despite being outnumbered 133 warships to 13, he managed to disable or destroy 31 of the 133 Japanese warships without losing a single ship of his own. Yi died from a gunshot wound at the naval Battle of Noryang on December 16, 1598. His last words, "[t]he battle is at its height. Beat my war drums. Do not announce my death", are often cited as an important part of his character.
Although his successes often were ignored by the Korean royal court during his life, after his death various honors were bestowed upon him, including the title of Chungmugong (충무공; 忠武公; Duke of Loyalty and Warfare), an enrollment as a Seonmu Ildeung Gongsin (선무일등공신; 宣武一等功臣; First-class military order of merit during the reign of Seonjo), and two posthumous offices, Yeonguijeong (영의정; 領議政; Prime Minister), and the Deokpung Buwongun (덕풍부원군; 德豊府院君; The Prince of the Court from Deokpung). Over time, Admiral Yi became a national hero in Korea, and remains so today.
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Tags: Korean Navy (1), Protector (1), Died Young (1), Died Aged 53 (1), Honorable (1), Born April 28 (1), True Leader (1), Ingenuitive (1), Brave (1), Korean Army (1), Born 1545 (1), Died 1598 (1), Minorities In The Military (1), Asians In The Military (1), Korean Military (1), Historical Figures In The Military (1), Military Officer (1), Korean (1), Hero (1)
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Korea, Republic of
