MASTER KEVIN JAMES
IN MEMORIAM
Grand-Master, JUNG KIL KIM
Birth: February 23, 1936. Ascension: December 2, 2020.
9th Dan in Tang Soo Do | 9th DAN in Taekwondo | 9th DAN in Hapkido
Grandmaster-Jung Kil Kim is best known as a first-generation Tang Soo Do black belt pupil of the late Hwang Kee (the founder of Tang Soo Do0). Jung Kil Kim was a pioneer in bringing the Korean martial arts of Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do and Hapkido to the United States and the state of Colorado in 1976.
Grandmaster Kim was born on February 23, 1936, in Seoul, Korea. At the age of 6 year, he began full-time study in Tang Soo Do under Hwang Kee. Jung Kil Kim earned Black Belt Dan Bon certificate number #123 directly from the hand of Supreme Grandmaster Hwang Kee.
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Kim attended classes with and trained alongside several world renowned figures in Taekwondo history; Grandmaster Chong Soo Hong (former Vice-President of the World Taekwondo Federation) and Grandmaster Moo Yong Lee former President of The United States Taekwondo Union (USTU).
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Jung Kil Kim attended Dongju College and became an instructor at the Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Headquarters in Korea. He later earned the rank of Captain in the Korean National Police. Upon moving the United States, Grandmaster Kim was honored by city of Denver Police Department with the title of Honorary Captain.
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The Korean term, "dan bon” means, “rank certificate number.” However, there is richer, more in-depth meaning to the Dan Bon tradition, history and meaning.
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According to Grandmaster Hwang Kee's book, "History of the Moo Duk Kwan" published in 1995, the "original" Dan Bon numbering system was created in 1948 when the GM Kee first integrated Dan ranking to students in the Moo Duk Kwan.
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Beginning with certificate number# 1, new Dans were assigned to denote seniority among the members. Students were also given a silver pin to commemorate their achievement, hence the term "Pin Number" which became synonymous with "Dan Number".
The assignment of numbers continues to this day, however only members of the World Moo Duk Kwan (originally Korean Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation) are recorded in Grandmaster Hwang Kee's book. Organizations formed by Masters who left the federation began their own independent numbering systems.
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Historic Events & Accomplishments
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President of the World Taekwondo Koo Duk Gwan Association
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Former President of A.A.U. Taekwondo Association.
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Former President of the Korean Taekwondo Association (KTA)
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Vice President of the Pan American Moo Duk Kwan Association
Colorado State President of the A.A.U. Taekwondo Olympic Committee. -
Author of the Official Encyclopedia of WTF Taekwondo & ITF Tang Soo Do Forms.
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2019 recipient of a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' from the U.S. Taekwondo Grandmasters Society.
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Director, Pan American Moo Duk Kwan Strategic and Organizational Planning Committee.
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- Rest In Power, Grandmaster, Jung Kil Kim
The elite combat light infantry unit that Sergeant Leo Giron belonged to experienced many direct action engagements which are documented in the United States Library of Congress in Washington DC.
Because of his contributions during World War II, Sergeant Giron would receive:
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The Bronze Star Medal
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The Philippine Liberation Ribbon
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The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal
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The American Campaign Medal
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World War II Victory Medal
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A Letter of Commendation ordered by the President of the United States of America.
Giron would return to civilian life as a World War II hero and a part of America’s Greatest Generation. But, without anyone knowing he would return too live a new and normal life in America as a Filipino American, not pondering on his heroics during the War.
IN MEMORIAM
Grand Master Emeritus Leo M. Giron the founder of the world-renowned: Bahala Na Filipino Martial Arts Association
(August 20, 1911 - May 21, 2002)
Grand Master Giron’s contributions to the Filipino Martial Arts in general were enormous. He was known as the Father of Larga Mano in America.
On September 24, 1942 he was inducted into the United States Army and would be attached to the 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiment and would later be assigned to the famous 978th Signal Group and The Allied Intelligence Bureau.
This was a select group of men that served as secret operatives for General Douglas Macarthur. Then Sergeant Leo Giron would be dropped behind enemy lines by submarine nearly one full year before any America Soldier would set foot on Philippine soil.
It was there assignment to search out the enemy, extending lines of communication, securing vital weather data and obtaining military information and not to be detected by the enemy.
Sergeant Giron lead a group of American and Philippine soldier’s through the most hazardous conditions of Would War II deep in the jungles of the Philippines.
IN MEMORIAM
O' Sensei, Professor Ronald Duncan
Father of American Ninjitsu
(June 4, 1937 – November 19, 2012)
Born in Panama. Professor Ronald Duncan began training in boxing at the age of seven. Since Professor Ronald Duncan grew up in an area where many of the elite military forces of that country were training in jungle warfare, he learned at an early age to read the signs of nature for directions in and out of the jungle. It was the beginning of a long and very involved career in many aspects of the martial arts.
Ronald Duncan went on to serve in the United States Marine Corp where he was a member of the USMC Judo team and earned one of his earliest black belt rankings.
Professor Duncan went on to earn a black belt in several other disciplines such as Hakko Ryu Jujitsu, Dai-nippon Jujitsu Ryu, Sosuishi Ryu, Kin Dai Gakko Ryu, Aikido, Aiki-Jujitsu, Kempo, Kobujitsu (weaponry), and Shinobino-jitsu (popularly known as Ninjitsu). His teachers were all legendary men; Charlie Neal, Ernie Cates, Tatsuo Uzaki, and Don Draeger.