Tears start to well up in 93-year-old Huang Zongde's eyes even now when he hears the song that was sung across China during the War to Resist United States Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53).

Huang, who joined the military at the age of 17, was awarded last week the nation's highest honor, the Medal of the Republic, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

He is a recipient of a series of honors, including the Second-Class Combat Hero title, first-class and second-class merit awards and the Order of the National Flag (First Class) from Democratic People's Republic of Korea, according to Xinhua News Agency.