Greek Expeditionary Force ( Korea ) The Greek Expeditionary Force ( GEF ) in Korea ( , abbreviated ΕΚΣΕ ) was formed in response to the United Nations appeal for assistance in the Korean War . It comprised a reinforced Hellenic Army infantry battalion and a Royal Hellenic Air Force ( RHAF ) flight of seven transport planes . Greece was the fifth largest troop contributor to U . N . Forces in Korea . RHAF Transport Flight . The seven C - 47s of 13th Flight , with 67 Air Force officers and personnel , departed from Elefsis air base at 08 . 30 on November 11 , 1950 . They belonged to the 355 Transport Squadron , known for its participation in the recent civil war . The majority of the officers and NCOs of this first mission were experienced airmen , being veterans of the Mediterranean and Middle East Theatre of World War II and the Greek Civil War . On December 3 , 1950 , the first Greek aircraft landed on Korean soil . The Greek flight was immediately attached to the 21st Troop Carrier Sqn . ( later renamed 6461 TC Sqn . ) of the 374th Wing , USAF , based initially at Daegu . From May 14 , 1951 , the flight was based at Kimpo air base where it remained until May 23 , 1955 . During its time in Korea , the Greek Flight carried out 2 , 916 missions , comprising air evacuations , the transport of personnel and prisoners , drops of supplies and ammunition , the replenishment of allied bases and the collection of operational information . In total , its planes carried 70 , 568 passengers , including 9 , 243 wounded . It logged 13 , 777 flight hours . Losses included 12 officers and NCOs and two C - 47s . Sparta Battalion . The Greek government originally intended to send a brigade to Korea , but with quick UN victories in the autumn of 1950 , the expeditionary force was downgraded to a battalion . The army unit , called the Sparta Battalion , which was sent in November 1950 under Lieutenant Colonel Georgios Koumanakos , was composed of 849 men and six vehicles in an HQ company and three rifle companies ; with one machine gun / mortar platoon and three rifle platoons in each . The men were all volunteers from the 1st , 8th and 9th Infantry Divisions . From August 23 , 1951 , the component was expanded to 1 , 063 men , at which strength it remained until the December 1953 armistice . It was subsequently increased to the level of 2 , 163 men until April 1955 . After the anti - Greek Istanbul Pogrom , in September 1955 , relations with Greece ' s NATO ally , Turkey , deteriorated and Athens decided to recall its units stationed in Korea . As a result , only 191 men were still in the country by December 1955 . A representative section of one officer and nine men remained until May 1958 . Battalion events timeline . Fifteen officers and 168 men were killed in action , while 33 officers and 577 men were wounded . Awards and recognitions . The 13th Flight received a US Presidential Unit Citation for its participation in the evacuation of US Marines at Hagaru - ri in December 1950 . The GEF battalion received its first US Presidential Unit Citation in February 1952 for the capture of Scotch Hill . The Greek infantry company involved in the defense of Outpost Harry received the following Presidential Unit Citation : " DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Washington D . C . , 10 March 1955 GENERAL ORDERS 18 DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION Company P Greek Expeditionary Forces Battalion ( Second Award ) is cited for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Surang - Ni , Korea during the period 17 June to 18 June 1953 . Assigned the defense of a vital outpost position ( Harry ) , the company encountered a major enemy assault on the evening of June 17 . After an intense concentration of enemy mortar and artillery fire , the hostile forces , which had taken up an attack position on the northeast and northwest side of the outpost , moved rapidly through their own and friendly artillery fire to gain a foothold on the northern slope of the position . Refusing to withdraw , Company P closed in and met the attackers in a furious hand - to - hand struggle in which many of the enemy were driven off . The aggressors regrouped , quickly attacked a second time , and again gained the friendly trenches . Immediately , the Greek Forces launched a series of counterattacks , simultaneously dispatching a diversionary force to the east of the outpost which successfully channeled the enemy thrusts . After 2 hours of close - in fighting , the aggressors were again routed and the friendly positions restored . The outstanding conduct and exemplary courage exhibited by members of Company P , Greek Expeditionary Forces Battalion , reflects great credit on themselves and are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and the Kingdom of Greece . " Individual Greeks received six U . S . Distinguished Service Crosses , 32 Silver Star s , 110 Bronze Star s . 19 members of 13th Flight received the US Air Force Air Medal for the Hagaru - ri evacuation operation in December 1950 . The Greek battalion ' s war flag also received the highest Greek military decoration , the Commander ' s Cross of the Cross of Valour , in 1954 .