Korean Defense Service Medal
Criteria
The Defense Department announced the creation of the Korean Defense
Service Medal (KDSM). The KDSM is a service medal to give special
recognition for the sacrifices and contributions made by members of
the U.S. armed forces who have served or are serving in the Republic
of Korea. 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. The KDSM period of eligibility
is July 28, 1954, to a future date to be determined by the secretary
of defense.Service members must have been assigned, attached, or
mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility and have been
physically deployed in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or
60 non-consecutive days or meet one of the following criteria:
- Be engaged in actual combat during an armed engagement, regardless
ofthe time in the area of eligibility.
- Is wounded or injured in the line of duty and requires medical
evacuation from the area of eligibility.
- While participating as a regularly assigned air crewmember flying
sorties into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in support
of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in
accordance with these criteria shall count as one day toward the 30 or
60-day requirement.
Personnel who serve in operations and exercises conducted in the area
of eligibility are considered eligible for the award as long as the
basic time criteria is met. Due to the extensive time period for KDSM
eligibility, the nonconsecutive service period for eligibility remains
cumulative throughout the entire period.
The KDSM may be awarded posthumously, and only one award of the KDSM is
authorized for any individual.
Each military department will prescribe appropriate regulations for
administrative processing, awarding and wearing of the KDSM and ribbon
for their service members, to include application procedures for veterans,
retirees, and next-of-kin.
More than 40,000 members of the U.S. armed forces have served in the
Republic of Korea or the waters adjacent thereto each year since the
signing of the cease-fire agreement in July 1953, which established the
Demilitarized Zone. For more than 50 years, U.S. Armed Forces’ efforts to
deter and defend the Korean Peninsula have helped maintain democracy and
preserve the indomitable spirit of freedom.
RIBBON: Dark green represents the land of Korea; blue indicates overseas
service and commitment to achieving peace. Gold denotes excellence, white
symbolizes idealism and integrity.
OBVERSE:
Description: A bronze-color disc bearing a Korean "circle dragon" within
an encircling scroll inscribed "Korea Defense Service Medal" with, in base, two
sprigs, laurel to dexter side, bamboo to sinister.
Symbolism: The four-clawed dragon is a traditional symbol of Korea and
represents intelligence and strength of purpose. The sprig of laurel denotes
honorable endeavor and victory; the bamboo refers to the land of Korea.
REVERSE:
Description: A representation of the landmass of Korea surmounted by
two swords points up saltirewise within a circlet garnished of five points.
Symbolism: The swords placed saltirewise over a map of Korea signify
defense of freedom in that country and the readiness to engage in combat to that
end. The circlet enclosing the device recalls the forms of five-petal symbols
common in Korean armory.
(Source:Dept of Defense)
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