Korean Defense Service Medal

[longhuntr74]

Sir,

Fort Drum? Was just up there last week in Ogdensurg visiting wife's home town and family. Been a bit warm up there for most of the time I was there, in the 80's, positively a major heat wave up there even for the summer.

Jim

We actually had a 5 day stretch where it was above 90 every day....talk about sweltering...I was dying!! LOL

[Kilted-Marine]

i agree "DoD sets forth the policy for issuing and wear of the medal"

Public Law 107-314 legislated the creation of a new medal to recognize military service in the Republic of Korea and the surrounding waters. Members of the armed forces authorized the KDSM must have served in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea. The area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the Republic of Korea, and the contiguous water out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land and water areas.
HOWEVER -the law already says who gets it and no other requirements accept those listed need be complete.

From the Defense department
Officials say the medal should be available at the beginning of June. Those currently on active duty will receive the medal via their units. Those retired or out of the service may apply through contacting their former service branches.

I have already applied to get it issued because i do not want to buy it. however there are other awards - IE a MUC which was issued to my unit after i left but covered the time I was with them. I have no idea if that was added to my dd-214.. I do know that NAVMC orders shows me as eligible and I wear it-- or actually I wear a bronze star because it was a second award

At the end of the day - I only wear those ribbons/medals which I am authorized (by law/congress) to wear and I know that nobody is going to ask to see my paperwork.

This has been an interesting discussion and required some looking on my part but I am still of the mind set that IF you are retired/discharged and a medal was issued after you got out... If you qualify WEAR IT...

But what do I know, I am just a retired service member with 21 years of service of service

[Kilted-Marine]

Here are some QnA about the medal
Questions and Answers

Question 1: Are ROTC Cadets eligible for the KDSM?
Answer 1: Yes, ROTC Cadets who go TDY to Korea on one of the various ROTC programs are entitled to the KDSM provided they meet the basic criteria.

Question 2: Do I have to take off my OSR if I am now eligible for the KDSM?
Answer 2: Negative, Soldiers are authorized to receive the OSR for completion of their tours in the area and authorized to receive the KDSM for serving in Korea.

Question 3: I was stationed in Japan and went to Korea to complete PLDC. Do I qualify for award of the KDSM?
Answer 3: Negative. The DoD guidance only authorizes the KDSM to be awarded to service members who are assigned, attached, or mobilized to the area. Soldiers can also qualify if they were in Korea for an exercise or operation.

Question 4: Can I get multiple awards of the KDSM?
Answer 4: No, only one award of the KDSM is authorized for any individual. Multiple awards are not authorized. No appurtenances will be placed on the KDSM to denote multiple awards.

Question 5: How do I get my records updated with the KDSM?
Answer 5: Military personnel divisions/Brigade S1s (whomever is the records custodian) will update personnel qualification records of qualified Soldiers who meet the medal criteria.

Question 6: Do I get a certificate and orders for the KDSM?
Answer 6: Negative. The KDSM is categorized as a service award, as such permanent orders are not required. Certificates also do not accompany award of the KDSM.

Question 7: Do veterans use a Standard Form 180 to request the KDSM?
Answer 7: Please refer all veteran requests who have left service prior to 2002 to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), the National Archives (NARA) at www.archives.gov.

Question 8: My Brigade Commander has been to Korea several times during his career for various exercises. His time of service in Korea has been more that 60 days nonconsecutive. Without documentation for all of these exercises he has been on how can I get the KDSM awarded to him?
Answer 8: Documentation proving your Commander actually served is imperative in authorizing the KDSM. Examples would be TDY orders, LES, any form of documentation showing he was in Korea for the required amount of time.