PHOENIX — Attorney General Kris Mayes is recognizing a decision from a regional office of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) recognizing that Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Paul Yoon, a decorated Army veteran who served nearly 24 years, is entitled to full G.I. Bill education benefits under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 G.I. Bills. The decision came after Attorney General Mayes joined a bipartisan coalition of every State in the Union, led by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, to support Lieutenant Colonel Paul Yoon and his daughter.
"Veterans put their lives on the line in service to us and to our country. It's our duty to uphold our promise to them and ensure every single veteran in America can access the benefits they earned while fighting for our freedom," said Attorney General Mayes. "Arizona veterans, know that I am fighting for what you deserve."
“I was proud to have led the bipartisan coalitions of 52 attorneys general fighting to ensure Virginia Army veteran Lieutenant Colonel Paul Yoon received every benefit he earned while fighting for our country and our freedom,” said Attorney General Miyares. “I know there are many other veterans like Lieutenant Colonel Yoon out there—and I implore the VA to honor their service by permanently granting them full benefits as well.”
In April 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court held that veterans who qualify under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bills are entitled to a combined 48 months of education benefits.
Following that decision, in March 2025, Attorney General Mayes joined a coalition of 51 other attorneys general in filing amicus briefs before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in support of LTC Yoon.
Last month, the VA agreed in principle to provide LTC Yoon with the full education benefits he is owed under both G.I. Bills.
Attorney General Mayes joined the Virginia-led brief supporting LTC Yoon with the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
