Korean Defense Service Medal

[Kilted-Marine]

I was recently getting ready to purchase my military medals for wear with my Prince Charlie Jacket. I came across the Korean Defense Service Medal. It was created after I retired but because of the dates and the time I was there.. . I got another medal - and if you served in korean between 1954 and whenever... you do to

which was:
Created by Congress in Section 543 of the 2003 Defense Authorization Act, which President Bush signed into law on 2 December 2002 (Public Law 107-314). The Institute was asked to provide proposed designs which were forwarded to OSD on 21 February 2003. The medal selected on 3 March 2003, was designed by Mr. John Sproston.

Requirements: The Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) is authorized to members of the Armed Forces who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea from 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined. 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. Criteria: Service members must have been assigned, attached or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or meet the following criteria:


The Interesting thing is this is a campaign medal and as such a person earning this award is eligible for membership in the VFW

[seanachie]

Mark:
I am not eligible for this medal, but it raises a general question if you fit the criteria for a medal but it's not on your 214 do you have to go the VA and request authorization first? Also, under what circumstance it it permissible for you to wear your medals with your PC I was also not aware you could do this. I don't have a PME manual at hand but I remember the old promotion testing had questions on the prohibitions of rank insignia, and other official decorations with civilian attire. Thanks

[Kilted-Marine]

The Rule for wearing military medals is so broad that you can really wear them almost anytime

Every branch of service has there own Rules BUT they most say something like this...
The Marine Corps Uniform Regulation, MCO P1020.34G, says that decorations, medals, appropriate ribbon bars, or lapel buttons may be worn on civilian clothes at the individual’s discretion. Individuals should ensure that the occasion and the manner of wearing will not reflect discredit on the award. Miniature medals may be worn with civilian evening dress. For non-evening dress, miniature replicas of ribbons made in the form of enameled lapel buttons, or ribbons made in rosette form, may be worn on the left lapel of civilian clothes.

As to medals which you are entitled but were not issued while on duty.

The VA can not authorize or issue medals that is up to each branch. If a medal was authorized for a certain period or action and you were involved in that then you have every right to wear it. As an example. One unit I was with was awarded the meritorious Unit Commendation after I left and was discharged BUT it covered the period that i had served with the unit. it may not be on my DD-214 (or it might be) but if anybody checked they would see I rated it

In the big picture - (or at least in my eyes) As long as you are wearing what you earned and not acting like a US Senator -What are they going to do, take away your birthday... I gave up 21 of those between 1981 and 2002.....

[davedove]

I had a similar situation with my one of my service medals. I wrote and sent proof of service to the records department and sent back a letter saying I was authorized.

As far as wearing with civilian attire, check your services regs, but generally you may wear them in appropriate circumstances. Again, check the regs to see how they are to be worn in civvies.

[Chas]

Requirements: The Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) is authorized to members of the Armed Forces who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea from 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined.

Just to be perfectly clear, you are talking about the United States Armed Forces only aren't you. It isn't like the UN medal, available to all servicemen. My wife's cousin, Private Neil Gunn MacLeod (Black Watch) served and died in Korea during that timeframe - that is why I ask.

Regards

Chas

[davedove]

Chas,

It is a US medal.

[dadgad]

The Rule for wearing military medals is so broad that you can really wear them almost anytime

Every branch of service has there own Rules BUT they most say something like this...
The Marine Corps Uniform Regulation, MCO P1020.34G, says that decorations, medals, appropriate ribbon bars, or lapel buttons may be worn on civilian clothes at the individual’s discretion. Individuals should ensure that the occasion and the manner of wearing will not reflect discredit on the award. Miniature medals may be worn with civilian evening dress. For non-evening dress, miniature replicas of ribbons made in the form of enameled lapel buttons, or ribbons made in rosette form, may be worn on the left lapel of civilian clothes.

I'll confirm that. Navy regs say pretty much the same thing. I researched pretty heavily last year when I got married. I gotta' say we all looked pretty sharp in Prince Charlies with medals (and wings, since two of three of us were aviators).

[Chas]

Chas,

It is a US medal.

Thanks Dave - Thought so

Regards

Chas

[macwilkin]

Thanks Dave - Thought so

Regards

Chas

There is some interesting discussion of medals for British personnel serving in Korea after the 1953 armistice on Britain's Small Wars Korea pages:

http://www.britains-smallwars.com/ko...armistice.html

T.

[sanddog28]

Requirements: The Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) is authorized to members of the Armed Forces who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea from 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined. 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. Criteria: Service members must have been assigned, attached or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or meet the following criteria:


The Interesting thing is this is a campaign medal and as such a person earning this award is eligible for membership in the VFW

So does this mean that a 6 week TDY to Red Cloud adds another ribbon/medal to my rack, just wonderful, I ordered a set of miniature medals for dress occasions last month and knew nothing about this?