Korea Defense Service Medal
Encyclopedia
The Korea Defense Service Medal is a United States
military award
that was first created in 2002 when it was signed into law by President George W. Bush
. The bill to create the proposal was introduced and championed by Rep. Elton Gallegly
and Sen. Ben "Night Horse" Campbell
. In 2004, the Institute of Heraldry approved the final design and the medal became authorized for distribution.
The Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) is authorized for those members of the U.S. military who have served duty in the Republic of Korea after the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea. To qualify for the KDSM, a service member must have served at least thirty consecutive days in the Korean theater. The medal is also granted for 60 non-consecutive days of service which includes reservists on annual training in Korea.
Exceptions are made for the 30/60 days time requirement if a service member participated in a combat armed engagement, was wounded or injured in the line of duty requiring medical evacuation, or participated as a regularly assigned aircrew member in flying sorties which totaled more than 30 days of duty in Korean airspace. In such cases, the KDSM is authorized regardless of time served in theater.
The Korea Defense Service Medal is retroactive to the end of the Korean War
and is granted to any service performed after July 28, 1954. The National Personnel Records Center
is responsible for verifying entitlement of the KDSM to discharged members of the military who served in Korea prior to the creation of the KDSM.
As an official Department of Defense
exception to policy, service members may be entitled to both the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
, and the KDSM for participation in operations in Korea during the same timeframe between October 1, 1966 - June 30, 1974.
Only one award of the Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized, regardless of the amount of time served in the Korean theater.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military award
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
that was first created in 2002 when it was signed into law by President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. The bill to create the proposal was introduced and championed by Rep. Elton Gallegly
Elton Gallegly
Elton William Gallegly is the U.S. Representative for , and previously the 23rd and 21st, serving in Congress since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education, and pre-congressional career:...
and Sen. Ben "Night Horse" Campbell
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Benjamin Nighthorse Campbell is an American politician. He was a U.S. Senator from Colorado from 1993 until 2005 and was during his tenure the only American Indian serving in the U.S. Congress. Campbell was a three term U.S. Representative from 1987 to 1993, when he was sworn into office as a...
. In 2004, the Institute of Heraldry approved the final design and the medal became authorized for distribution.
The Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) is authorized for those members of the U.S. military who have served duty in the Republic of Korea after the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea. To qualify for the KDSM, a service member must have served at least thirty consecutive days in the Korean theater. The medal is also granted for 60 non-consecutive days of service which includes reservists on annual training in Korea.
Exceptions are made for the 30/60 days time requirement if a service member participated in a combat armed engagement, was wounded or injured in the line of duty requiring medical evacuation, or participated as a regularly assigned aircrew member in flying sorties which totaled more than 30 days of duty in Korean airspace. In such cases, the KDSM is authorized regardless of time served in theater.
The Korea Defense Service Medal is retroactive to the end of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and is granted to any service performed after July 28, 1954. The National Personnel Records Center
National Personnel Records Center
The National Personnel Records Center is an agency of the National Archives and Records Administration, created in 1956. It is divided into two large Federal Records Centers located in St...
is responsible for verifying entitlement of the KDSM to discharged members of the military who served in Korea prior to the creation of the KDSM.
As an official Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
exception to policy, service members may be entitled to both the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
, and the KDSM for participation in operations in Korea during the same timeframe between October 1, 1966 - June 30, 1974.
Only one award of the Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized, regardless of the amount of time served in the Korean theater.