Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Korean War Service Medal

The Republic of Korea War Service Medal is a military decoration instituted by the to recognize the contributions of foreign personnel from forces who served in the defense of the Republic of Korea during the . Eligibility requires in the Korean Peninsula, its , or airspace between June 25, 1950, and July 27, 1953, inclusive. Although offered to Allied forces contemporaneously with the conflict, formal acceptance and authorization for wear by military personnel was not granted by the Department of Defense until August 20, 1999. The medal embodies South Korea's enduring appreciation for the international military support that repelled the North Korean invasion and preserved the nation's sovereignty.

History

Establishment During the Korean War

The Republic of Korea War Service Medal was established on October 24, 1950, through Presidential Decree No. 390 issued by President amid the early stages of the , which had erupted with the North Korean invasion of on June 25, 1950. The decree authorized the creation of the medal to commemorate military participation in repelling the communist offensive, initially targeting South Korean forces involved in the "6.25 Incident" defense efforts, with provisions extending recognition to allied contributors under the . This establishment reflected the Republic of Korea's urgent need to formalize honors for service in the protracted conflict, where UN intervention had begun in July 1950 to support South Korean sovereignty against North Korean and later forces. On November 15, 1951, South Korean Defense Minister Yi Ki-poong offered the medal to the UN Command's , marking its initial extension to foreign participants actively engaged in Korean theater operations. Production and distribution during the war years remained constrained by logistical challenges and the ongoing hostilities, limiting widespread awards until postwar periods.

Early Variants and Awards

The Republic of Korea War Service Medal, originally designated the 6.25 Incident Participation Medal, was established by Presidential Decree No. 390 on October 24, 1950, signed by President , to recognize military service in repelling the North Korean invasion that commenced on June 25, 1950. The medal's creation aimed to honor both Republic of forces and allied personnel contributing to the defense effort under auspices. The initial variant featured a on the obverse, suspended from a ring, with production emphasizing simplicity amid wartime constraints; this design preceded the revision under Presidential Decree No. 892, which incorporated crossed rifles, the Korean peninsula outline, and wreaths. A Type 1 sub-variant included elements and was struck in limited quantities, while some specimens bore English inscriptions on the reverse, though their authenticity has been questioned due to inconsistencies with official decrees. On November 15, 1951, South Korean Defense Minister Yi Ki-poong formally offered the medal to the Commander-in-Chief of the for distribution to eligible foreign troops. Early awards targeted personnel with at least 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days of service in the theater from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, typically involving direct support to combat operations; however, full medals were scarce, leading to predominant issuance of ribbon bars to of Korea military members and select contributors as an interim recognition measure driven by manufacturing limitations and fiscal priorities.

Post-Armistice Obscurity and Initial US Reluctance

Following the Korean Armistice Agreement signed on July 27, 1953, the Republic of Korea formalized its War Service Medal—originally established in December 1950—through Presidential Decree #892 on April 14, 1954, which updated the design to feature a dragon motif and specified eligibility for United Nations forces serving from June 25, 1950, to the armistice date. South Korea offered the medal to U.S. personnel as recognition of their contributions, agreeing to provide 450,000 units free of charge to eligible American veterans out of a total production of 800,000. Despite this gesture, the U.S. Department of Defense initially refused to authorize acceptance or wear by American service members, adhering to policies requiring explicit approval for foreign decorations to maintain uniformity in U.S. uniform regulations and award precedence. This stance led to widespread obscurity of the medal within the U.S. military and veteran communities. Many Korean War participants, who numbered approximately 1.8 million Americans, prioritized U.S.-issued awards like the —established by 10179 on November 8, 1950—and had limited awareness of the Republic of Korea's counterpart, as it could not be officially displayed on uniforms or documented in service records. The conflict's designation as the "," overshadowed by the scale of and the domestic divisiveness of , compounded this neglect, with official U.S. emphasis shifting to Cold War-era deployments rather than retrospective foreign honors. Efforts by individual veterans to obtain or validate the medal in the decades immediately following the were largely unsuccessful, as Department of Defense directives prohibited its integration into U.S. award systems without higher-level endorsement. Consequently, the medals languished in storage or unclaimed status, with South supplies undelivered to recipients pending U.S. approval, perpetuating a gap in recognition for service in the theater where over 36,000 Americans died. This period of inaction highlighted broader postwar administrative priorities, where foreign awards from allied nations required prolonged review to align with U.S. standards for merit and diplomatic reciprocity.

Revival and Modern Reauthorization

Following the Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal experienced a period of obscurity with limited issuance to foreign participants due to initial U.S. Department of Defense policy prohibiting acceptance of foreign awards without specific approval. In preparation for the 50th anniversary of the war's outbreak, advocacy efforts culminated in the U.S. government's reversal of this stance. On , 1999, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management and Policy approved the acceptance and wear of the medal by eligible U.S. veterans, recognizing their contributions to the from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. To support retroactive awards, the Republic of Korea government produced 800,000 medals for distribution to qualifying veterans. Effective January 1, 2006, the U.S. Human Resources Command was designated the executive agency for processing applications, verifying service records, and issuing the medal to eligible veterans or their primary , streamlining access for survivors and posthumous awards. This reauthorization facilitated ceremonies honoring recipients, such as those conducted in the early , where veterans received the medal decades after their service.

Physical Description

Obverse and Reverse Design

The obverse of the Republic of Korea War Service Medal consists of a bronze disc depicting an outline of the Peninsula superimposed on a circular grid, symbolizing geographical and strategic positioning, with crossed shells positioned below the grid to represent engagement. This central motif is encircled by branches, denoting victory and honor. The reverse bears inscriptions in Korean Hangul : centrally, "6.25사변종군기장" translating to "6.25 Incident Participation Medal," referencing the North Korean invasion on June 25, , and at the bottom, "대한민국" meaning "Republic of Korea." Early variants (Type 1), authorized under Presidential Decree #390 in , featured enameled designs with the peninsula outline and were produced in limited quantities, while later Type 2 versions, manufactured by Jung Il Sa, adopted a non-enameled finish for mass production due to cost considerations. Some early reverses included English text or were blank, though Korean became standard. The medal measures approximately 1.5 inches in diameter and is suspended from a ring.

Ribbon and Accessories

The Republic of Korea War Service Medal is suspended from a moiré ribbon measuring 1 3/8 inches (35 mm) in width. The ribbon consists of symmetrical vertical stripes: 1/4 inch peacock blue at each edge, followed inward by 1/16 inch , 1/32 inch , 1/16 inch , a central 9/16 inch green stripe, and then mirroring the pattern on the opposite side. These colors evoke elements of the South Korean flag and national symbolism, with peacock blue representing the sky and sea, scarlet for the sun and valor, for purity, and aspic green for the land. No service devices, clasps, or additional accessories are prescribed for the medal or its ribbon in official descriptions. For wear on uniforms by United States personnel, the ribbon bar replicates the full ribbon design without attachments, in accordance with Department of Defense regulations for foreign awards.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifying Service Periods and Locations

The qualifying service period for the Republic of Korea War Service Medal spans from June 25, 1950—the date of the North Korean invasion—to July 27, 1953, the signing of the agreement that halted major hostilities. Eligibility requires that the service occurred prior to the cessation of hostilities on that date, with no extensions beyond the for this medal's criteria. Service must have taken place within the territorial limits of the Republic of , its immediately adjacent waters, or airspace over . Qualifying locations exclude assignments or duties limited to peripheral areas such as , , Okinawa, or the , which do not count toward eligibility even if in support of Korean operations. To meet the locational threshold, personnel must have served on assignment within these defined areas, or on temporary duty for a minimum of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days. Aerial crew members qualify through participation in flights over involving actual combat operations or direct support thereof, without a separate day-count requirement tied to ground or sea duty.

Personnel Requirements and Exclusions

The Republic of Korea War Service Medal is awarded to military personnel of forces who performed duty in the Korean theater, defined as the land areas and islands of , adjacent waters including the , , and , or airspace above these areas. Qualifying service must occur between June 25, 1950, the date of North Korea's , and July 27, 1953, the signing date, with no minimum duration specified beyond presence in the theater on . Eligibility extends to all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including , , and Reserve components mobilized for service, as well as allied UN military personnel meeting the geographic and temporal criteria. No distinction is made based on versus roles; the medal recognizes theater service regardless of specific duties performed. Exclusions apply to non-military personnel, such as civilian contractors, volunteers, and government employees without uniformed service status. Service performed solely outside the Korean theater, including in , Guam, Okinawa, or the —even if in support of operations—does not qualify, as these locations fall beyond the defined area of eligibility. Personnel in transient or passenger status, such as observers, couriers, or escorts without assigned duty in the theater, are also ineligible, mirroring criteria for analogous U.S. service medals. The South Korean government, as the issuing authority, maintains these standards to ensure awards reflect direct contributions within the conflict zone.

Award Process

For Republic of Korea Forces

The Korean War Service Medal, formally designated the 6.25 Incident Participation Medal, was authorized for members of the via Presidential Decree No. 390 on , 1950, to recognize service in the conflict from , 1950, to , 1953. Eligibility required verification of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days of service within , its territorial waters, or airspace, encompassing both combat and support roles. Awards were administered by the Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defense, drawing on records to confirm qualifying service periods and locations. During the war and immediate postwar years, issuance faced severe budgetary limitations amid national reconstruction, resulting in most service members—92% by 1956—receiving ribbon bars rather than complete medals. Full medals were reserved for select cases or later commemorative distributions, with recipients typically notified through unit commands or personal applications supported by discharge papers or affidavits attesting to deployment details. Postwar revivals, including production runs for the 50th anniversary around 2000, allowed surviving ROK veterans to petition for medals via the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs or equivalent bodies, though priority emphasized foreign allies in bulk distributions. Exclusions applied to personnel whose service fell short of the time threshold or involved non-qualifying administrative roles outside the theater. Verification relied on archival records from the war era, with no formal application deadline historically imposed for domestic recipients.

For Foreign Military Personnel

The Republic of Korea War Service Medal is awarded to military personnel from contributing nations who provided direct support during the , excluding Republic of Korea forces. Eligibility requires service of at least 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in the Korean theater, including territorial waters or , between June 25, 1950, and July 27, 1953. This criterion applies uniformly to personnel from countries such as , the , , , , the , and others that deployed forces under UN Command. The award process for foreign personnel begins with submission of a formal application to the recipient's national defense or veterans' affairs authority, accompanied by verifiable service records such as discharge papers, deployment orders, or unit logs demonstrating qualifying time in theater. National authorities, including Australia's Department of Defence or the UK's , conduct initial verification against official military archives to confirm eligibility and prevent fraudulent claims. Upon approval, these entities forward the validated applications through diplomatic channels to the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, which authorizes production and shipment of the medal at no cost to the recipient nation. Issuance timelines vary by country but typically span several months due to intergovernmental coordination and backlog processing; for instance, veterans reference the Department of Veterans' Affairs Nominal Roll for status updates. Bereaved families of deceased eligible personnel may apply posthumously in select nations, with the medal presented as a commemorative item. Non-combat support roles, including medical, logistical, and administrative duties tied to UN operations, qualify provided the location and duration criteria are met. Participating governments must also grant official authorization for wear on uniforms, as determined by their honors policies; for example, approved wear in 2000 following diplomatic overtures.

Application and Verification Procedures

Applications for the Republic of Korea War Service Medal by veterans are processed through the relevant military service branch, which verifies eligibility before coordinating issuance with South Korean authorities. For U.S. personnel, applicants complete a specific form available from the U.S. Human Resources Command (HRC) and submit it by to the Awards and Decorations Branch, accompanied by documentation proving service in the Korean theater from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. Verification requires primary documents such as the (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which must indicate Korean service; if absent, supplementary evidence like deployment orders, unit diaries, or individual service records is mandatory to confirm presence in , its territorial waters, or airspace during the qualifying period. The HRC reviews these records against official archives to authenticate claims, rejecting applications lacking sufficient proof to uphold integrity. For other U.S. branches, analogous processes apply: Air Force veterans submit via the Air Force Personnel Center, providing equivalent service verification, while and Corps personnel route requests through their respective commands using discharge forms or command histories. Upon branch-level approval, the U.S. Department of Defense facilitates medal procurement from the Republic of Korea Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, with presentation often occurring at ceremonial events or via mail to living veterans or . Foreign military personnel from participating nations apply through their national defense or ministries, which conduct similar record checks—typically cross-referencing service logs, pay records, or theater assignment data—before submitting verified requests to South Korean diplomatic channels for authorization and delivery. This decentralized yet standardized verification framework, reliant on archival evidence rather than self-attestation, minimizes discrepancies and ensures awards reflect documented contributions to the Korean War effort.

International Acceptance and Wear

United States Armed Forces

The authorized members of the to accept and wear the Republic of Korea War Service Medal on August 20, 1999, retroactively recognizing service during the . This approval addressed prior restrictions under U.S. regulations that had limited the acceptance and display of foreign decorations on uniforms. Eligibility for U.S. personnel requires service in the Republic of Korea, its , or contiguous for at least thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days between June 25, 1950, and July 27, 1953. Veterans or their may apply through respective service branches, such as the Army Human Resources Command or Personnel Center, for verification and issuance of the South Korean-provided medal. Only medals manufactured and supplied by the Republic of Korea meet U.S. criteria for official wear. The medal is classified as a foreign service award and positioned in the uniform's ribbon rack after U.S. campaign medals but before other foreign awards, in accordance with Department of Defense uniform regulations. This authorization applies uniformly across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, enabling Korean War veterans to display the honor on ceremonial and dress uniforms. Post-approval distribution efforts included provisions by the South Korean government to supply the medal at no cost to eligible U.S. veterans during the early , commemorating the war's anniversaries. The policy underscores bilateral recognition of allied contributions without altering U.S. precedence for domestic awards.

Commonwealth Countries

In Australia, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal was approved for acceptance and wear by Korean War veterans on 19 February 2018, via a decision by the Governor-General acting on advice from the government. This authorization applies retrospectively to personnel who qualified for the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975 with the 'Korea' clasp, recognizing their service in support of United Nations operations from 27 June 1950 to 27 July 1953. Eligible recipients must apply through the Department of Veterans' Affairs, with the medal positioned in the order of wear after Australian campaign medals but before other foreign awards. In , the medal's wear was authorized in 2001 for veterans who served during the , aligning with similar retrospective recognitions extended to other contributors. For the and , however, the medal has not been officially authorized for wear. Historical regulations during the 1950s prohibited British Commonwealth personnel from accepting or displaying the Republic of Korea's offered campaign medal, a policy that persists without recorded reversal in these nations' military honors frameworks. veterans instead receive the and Service Medal for Korea, while Canadian equivalents include the and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea, with no integration of the foreign award.

Other Participating Nations

The Republic of Korea War Service Medal was conferred upon eligible military personnel from other contributing nations beyond the and Commonwealth realms, including , , , , , , the , the , , and , in recognition of their service against North Korean and Chinese forces from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. These nations deployed contingents ranging from battalions (e.g., Belgian Piron Battalion, Greek expeditionary forces) to larger brigades (e.g., , Philippine Expeditionary Force), totaling over 10,000 troops collectively. Formal government authorization for acceptance and wear varied and remains sparsely documented compared to U.S. or policies. All members of the Detachment United Nations Korea (NDVN), which served from 1950 to 1953, received the directly from the Korean government, indicating official recognition and likely permissibility for wear within Dutch forces. For nations such as and the , evidence of individual awards exists through veteran records and collector documentation, but national regulations on foreign decorations during the era often restricted active wear, with posthumous or retrospective acceptance unclear. In contrast, countries like and issued their own commemorative honors (e.g., Thai Victory Medal variants), potentially supplanting the ROK in official uniform protocols, though the award was offered universally to UN allies. Overall, while Korea's intent was broad international reciprocity, many recipients from these forces did not integrate the into national orders of precedence due to contemporaneous policies prohibiting foreign awards during wartime .

Significance and Legacy

Commemorative Role in Anti-Communist Victory

The Republic of Korea War Service Medal commemorates the allied military efforts that repelled the North Korean communist invasion of June 25, 1950, supported by Soviet and Chinese forces, thereby preventing the imposition of communist rule over the entire Korean Peninsula. Established by South Korean President in 1950, the medal recognizes service from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, the dates encompassing the armistice that restored the pre-war boundary and preserved South Korea's independence. This framing positions the conflict as a successful of communist expansionism, aligning with broader objectives to halt Soviet-backed aggression without escalating to full-scale war with major communist powers. Presentation ceremonies for the medal often emphasize its role in honoring the defeat of communist aggressors, with South Korean officials and allied representatives highlighting the veterans' contributions to South Korea's survival as a non-communist state. For example, in 2009, U.S. Congressman presented the medal to Korean War veteran Tom LaBerge during a ceremony at the Howie Armory in , underscoring the enduring gratitude for service that thwarted North Korea's unification under . Such events, including those by the Korean War Veterans Association, reinforce the medal's symbolic value in narratives of anti-communist resilience, contrasting South Korea's post-war democratic and —achieving GDP over $35,000 by 2023—with North Korea's isolation and under communist governance. The medal's retroactive awards to UN and allied personnel, authorized by various governments in the late , further cement its commemorative function in affirming the War's outcome as a strategic victory for free-world forces. By , over 100,000 U.S. veterans had received it through applications verified by the Department of Defense, each presentation evoking the causal link between frontline sacrifices and the long-term failure of communist ideology on the peninsula. This recognition counters revisionist views downplaying the war's anti-communist stakes, prioritizing empirical outcomes like the armistice's stabilization of the 38th and Korea's alignment with Western alliances.

Veteran Reception and Distribution Statistics

The Republic of produced 800,000 Service Medals between 2000 and 2003 to commemorate the conflict's 50th anniversary and facilitate awards to eligible foreign participants, including forces personnel who served in the Korean theater from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. Eligibility required 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days of service in , its territorial waters, or airspace, aligning closely with recipients of the U.S. . Approximately 1.8 million U.S. service members were potentially eligible based on theater deployments. Distribution began in 2000, with the Korean government allocating 450,000 medals free of charge specifically for U.S. veterans, plus an additional 50,000 available at cost if demand exceeded initial supplies. Annual figures showed 260,000 medals distributed in 2000, 243,000 in 2001, and 202,000 in 2002, leaving about 95,000 in stock by 2003 for ongoing applications. The U.S. Department of Defense authorized acceptance and wear of the medal on August 20, 1999, following South Korean offers renewed in the late 1990s. Veterans or applied via DD Form 149, with service records verified by branches; the U.S. Air Force centralized processing for all services, handling 176,443 requests and mailing 168,057 medals by September 21, 2004. Reception among veterans was positive, viewed as a long-overdue acknowledgment from the Republic of Korea for contributions to its defense against communist invasion, often presented in ceremonies honoring surviving participants. By 2001, the had distributed over 83,000 medals across branches, reflecting steady application rates amid outreach efforts. Distribution continued until supplies depleted, with U.S. issuance terminating after July 29, 2025, once stocks were exhausted. Posthumous awards to comprised a significant portion, aiding family preservation of service legacies amid declining numbers—estimated at 3.9 million War-era U.S. veterans in 2000, though fewer met strict theater criteria.

Broader Historical Impact

The Republic of Korea War Service Medal, instituted in 1951, symbolizes 's acknowledgment of the coalition's pivotal role in repelling the North Korean communist invasion launched on June 25, 1950, with Soviet and Chinese backing. This recognition reinforced the causal link between multinational intervention and the preservation of as a non-communist state, averting potential unification under totalitarian rule and establishing a for collective defense against expansionist aggression during the early . The medal's design and distribution highlighted the empirical success of containing communism on the Korean Peninsula, where UN forces, peaking at over 1 million personnel from 21 nations, reversed initial setbacks and restored the pre-war boundary by the 1953 armistice. The ' acceptance of the medal on August 20, 1999, after decades of dormancy and advocacy by veterans' organizations, enabled the honoring of eligible service members who served between June 25, 1950, and July 27, 1954, thereby elevating awareness of the —often termed the ""—in national . This belated validation, distributed to thousands of surviving veterans and next-of-kin, underscored the war's underappreciated legacy in bolstering U.S.-led alliances, as evolved into an economic powerhouse under democratic governance, contrasting sharply with North Korea's isolation. Official military records indicate applications processed through the Personnel Center, facilitating personal recognition that affirmed the conflict's strategic deterrence value against further communist incursions. On a broader scale, the medal perpetuates the U.S.-Republic of alliance formalized by the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty, which has sustained regional stability and deterred North Korean threats for over 70 years through joint military exercises and U.S. troop commitments. By attributing valor to foreign contributors, it counters revisionist interpretations that diminish the war's anti-communist triumph, emphasizing verifiable outcomes like South Korea's GDP per capita rising from post-war to exceeding $35,000 by 2023, attributable in part to secured sovereignty. This enduring symbol fosters diplomatic reciprocity, as seen in continued bilateral commemorations, and informs contemporary by exemplifying effective against authoritarian expansion.

References

  1. [1]
    Republic of Korea War Service Medal - Defence
    The Republic of Korea War Service Medal was introduced by South Korea in 1951 to recognise the assistance provided by members of the United Nations forces.
  2. [2]
    Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal
    To receive this medal, military veterans must have served in the country of Korea, its territorial waters, or airspace within the inclusive period of June 25, ...
  3. [3]
    Korean War Service Medal - HRC
    Jul 29, 2025 · The Department of Defense approved the acceptance and wear of the Korean War Service Medal (KWSM) for eligible US veterans or their next of kin.
  4. [4]
    Republic of Korea War Service Medal - Army.mil
    The Republic of Korea War Service Medal (KSM) was originally offered to the Armed Forces of the United States by the Ministry of Defense, Republic of Korea.
  5. [5]
    Korean War Service Medal
    The Korean War Service Medal is authorized in accordance with President Order No. 390, by Hon. Syngman Rhee, President of the Republic of Korea.
  6. [6]
    REPUBLIC OF KOREA WAR SERVICE - The Salute Uniforms
    The medal's provenance actually dates to October 24, 1950 and Presidential Decree No. 390 authorizing a medal for South Korean troops who took part in the ...
  7. [7]
    Republic of Korea War Service - Military Medals
    Established in December of 1950, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal is an award issued by South Korea to honor members of foreign military groups that ...Missing: instituted | Show results with:instituted
  8. [8]
    [PDF] (2) Korean Service Medal (KSM) is a US Campaign
    This medal has been awarded for at least 45 designated military campaigns, from events such as the. Cuban Missile Crisis and Korea to retroactive campaigns such ...
  9. [9]
    [PDF] Korean Service Veterans Corp.
    It's the primary United States medal for participation in the Korean War and is awarded to any U.S. service member, who performed duty in the Republic of Korea ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  10. [10]
    Korean Service Medal - Naval History and Heritage Command
    May 3, 2017 · The medal was intended for award to those who participated in the Korean War for at least 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days on or ...
  11. [11]
    [PDF] Korean War Service Medal now available to veterans
    U.S. veterans of the Korean. War are now eligible to wear a medal initially offered to them more than 50 years ago but never issued. In a May 13, 2000, letter ...
  12. [12]
    Korean War vets get medals 50 years later - AF.mil
    Mar 22, 2003 · In 1999, the law was changed and the Department of Defense approved the medal to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the war.
  13. [13]
    Republic of Korea War Service Medal
    ### Summary of Republic of Korea War Service Medal Design
  14. [14]
    Korean War Service Medal : Republic of South Korea
    Korean War Service Medal showing on the obverse a map of the Korean peninsula and two crossed projectiles within a wreath. The reverse bears raised Korean ...
  15. [15]
    Republic of Korea War Service Medal
    ### Summary of Republic of Korea War Service Medal Ribbon Design
  16. [16]
    [PDF] Korean War Service Medal - HRC
    On 20 August 1999, the Assistant. Secretary of Defense approved the acceptance and wear of the medal for veterans of the Korea War. Effective 1 January 2006,.
  17. [17]
    Korea's Service Medal - Korean Medals
    It was specifically created to honor the long and devoted service of US and other foreign military personnel in defense of the Republic of Korea.
  18. [18]
    Republic of Korea War Service Medal - Military Wives
    On 20 August 1999, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management & Policy) approved acceptance and wear of the medal for veterans of the Korean War.<|separator|>
  19. [19]
    https://www.medalsofamerica.com/republic-of-korea-war-service-medal
  20. [20]
    Republic of Korea war service medal approved for wear
    Feb 19, 2018 · Veterans of the Korean War have been approved to wear the Republic of Korea War Service medal by the Governor-General.Missing: Canadian New Zealand
  21. [21]
    Korean War Service Medal 1950-53 with box as issued - Facebook
    Oct 23, 2020 · 2020 marks the 70th year of the beginning of the Korean war. This is an original Republic of Korea War Service Medal 1950-53 with box as issued ...
  22. [22]
    Canadian Korea Medal | The Governor General of Canada
    The Medal was instituted in 1951. This program is managed by Veterans Affairs Canada. For more information, please visit their website.
  23. [23]
    Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea
    This Korean War medal was established in 1991 for service between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954.
  24. [24]
    United Nations Involvment - Participating ... - Korean War Educator
    ... Forces. Belgium, Luxembourg, Colombia, Ethiopia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, the Philippines and Thailand had battalion-sized units attached to U.S. ...Missing: authorized Dutch<|control11|><|separator|>
  25. [25]
    Netherlands (Holland, Dutch) : Korean Medals 한국 메달
    All members of the NDVN received the Korean War Service Medal from the Korean government. U.S. Presidential Unit Citation, 2nd Award. During its deployment ...
  26. [26]
    Greece : Korean Medals 한국 메달
    Korean War Service Medal · Overcoming National Crisis Medal · Peace Keeping ... Belgium and Luxembourg · Colombia · Denmark · Ethiopia · Germany · Greece · India ...
  27. [27]
    Korea Medal - Wikipedia
    The Korea Medal was created in 1951 to recognize specifically members of the armed forces from King George VI's various states at the time that participated in ...Missing: early variants
  28. [28]
    https://www.militaryvetspx.com/reofkowarsem.html
  29. [29]
    File:Congressman bob goodlatte medals ceremony korean war ...
    Dec 19, 2012 · File:Congressman bob goodlatte medals ceremony korean war veteran tom laberge korea.jpg ... Korean War Service Medal with battle-star attachment ...
  30. [30]
    Korean War Service Medal Display Recognition
    The medal may be awarded to all military personnel who served 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea or in its territorial waters.
  31. [31]
    Korean War vets eligible for medals - Farm and Dairy
    Sep 6, 2001 · Since then, Air Force officials distributed more than 83,000 Korean War Service medals to veterans from every branch of military service. The ...
  32. [32]
    [PDF] Data on Veterans of the Korean War, June 2000 - VA.gov
    There have been 131 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor among Korean War veterans. In mid-calendar year 2000: There are an estimated 3.9 million ...Missing: Republic | Show results with:Republic
  33. [33]
    U.S. Security Cooperation With ROK - State Department
    Jan 20, 2025 · Forged during the Korean War and codified in the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty, the United States–Republic of Korea (ROK) Alliance has evolved ...Missing: WSM historical