Korea Defense Service Medal
| Korea Defense Service Medal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Service medal |
| Awarded for | Service for at least 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in support of the defense of South Korea. |
| Presented by | the U.S. Department of Defense[1][2] and U.S. Department of Homeland Security[3] |
| Eligibility | U.S. military personnel |
| Status | Current |
| Established | December 2002[4] |
| First awarded | February 2004 (retroactive to July 28, 1954) |
 The ribbon | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal[5] |
| Next (lower) | Armed Forces Service Medal[5] |
The Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM)[6] is a military service medal of the United States Armed Forces 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 (R-CA) and Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).[7] Several designs for the medal were proposed; the selected design was done by John Sproston.[8]
Korean Service Medal
| Korean Service Medal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Service medal |
| Awarded for | Service within territorial limits or service that directly supported the UN's military efforts in defense of South Korea between 1950 and 1954. |
| Description | Obverse: On a bronze medal, 1-1/4 inch in diameter, a Korean gateway, encircled by the inscription "KOREAN SERVICE". Reverse: On the reverse is the Korean "taegeuk" symbol taken from the center of the South Korean national flag with the inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and a spray of oak and laurel encircling the design. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1-3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/32 inch White; 19/32 inch Bluebird; center 1/8 inch White; 19/32 inch Bluebird; and 1/32 inch White |
| Presented by | the US Department of Defense |
| Eligibility | Military service during the Korean War |
| Campaign(s) | Korean War |
| Status | Inactive |
| Established | EO 10179, November 8, 1950, as amended[1] |
| First awarded | 1950 (retroactive to June 27, 1950) |
| Last awarded | July 27, 1954 |
  Korean Service Medal ribbon & streamer | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | National Defense Service Medal |
| Next (lower) | Antarctica Service Medal |
| Related | Korean War Service Medal (Korea) Korean Defense Service Medal United Nations Korea Medal National Defense Service Medal Presidential Unit Citation (South Korea) |
The Korean Service Medal (KSM) is a military award for service in the United States Armed Forces and was established November 8, 1950, by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary US military award for service or participation in operations in the Korean area during the Korean War between June 27, 1950, and July 27, 1954.[2][3]
United Nations Service Medal Korea
| United Nations Service Medal for Korea | |
|---|---|
 ,_Reverse.jpg) United Nations Service Medal Korea: obverse and English language reverse | |
| Type | Campaign medal |
| Awarded for | Campaign service |
| Description | Bronze disk, 35mm diameter |
| Presented by |  United Nations |
| Eligibility | All United Nations forces |
| Campaign(s) | Korean War 1950–53 |
| Established | 12 December 1950[1][2] |
 Service ribbon | |
| Related | Republic of Korea War Service Medal Korea Medal (British Commonwealth) Korean Service Medal (United States) |
The United Nations Service Medal Korea (UNSMK) is an international military decoration established by the United Nations on December 12, 1950 as the United Nations Service Medal. The decoration was the first international award ever created by the United Nations and recognized the multi-national defense forces which participated in the Korean War.