Korean Defense Medal

SPC Charles Brown — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 19:51:10 -0400

I am wondering if anyone can tell me what the standards are for receiving the Korean Defense medal. My curiosity stems from the fact that I served in Korea from 1980-82 and didn't know if there was some sort of recognition at the time. Is there anyone out there who can help me with this?

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Jun 24 at 2014 7:55 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 19:55:03 -0400

here is what I found

Release No: 088-04
February 09, 2004
DoD Announces Korean Defense Service Medal

The Defense Department announced today the creation of theKorean 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.

Servicemembers 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 of the 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 servicemembers, 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.

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Jun 24 at 2014 9:26 PM

TSgt Scott Hurley — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 21:26:24 -0400

You have to have served in the country for 30 consecutive days in order to receive it. As long as you have documentation that says you were there, then you have earned it. You need to get your dd-214 amended to reflect that. Get with your local VFW service officer to help you out. Oh and it is retro active to 1954.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Jun 25 at 2014 7:37 AM

SFC Stephen Carden — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 07:37:10 -0400

There is a catch: if you wear the KDSM for a tour in Korea, then you can't wear the Overseas Ribbon for that same tour. The KDSM can only be awarded once and is not authorized any devices, however, so if you have served two tours in Korea, you wear the OSR for any other tour than the first.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Jul 22 at 2014 7:50 PM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 19:50:59 -0400

Charles, make a records correction request and they award you the KDSM and correct your DD214. The correction form is actually a DD215. Here is the link to do it...... You qualify, easily.........

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 of the 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 crew member 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.

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Start Your Military Service Record (DD Form 214) Request

How to Request Military Service Records, Military Personnel Files, Veterans Records, Discharge Papers, Separation Documents, DD214, or Prove Military Service

Response by SPC Robby Robinson made Mar 23 at 2016 4:31 AM

SPC Robby Robinson — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 04:31:54 -0400

Hi Charles, great post! I was about to ask the same question about the Korean Defense Service medal as I also served in Korea (1991/1992) 1/506 2nd Infantry Division (Camp Greaves). We were the last American Infantry units to patrol the DMZ before handing over responsibilities to the ROK's.
I heard about the Korean Defense Service Medal being authorized by POTUS Bush in 2002. The criteria indicates the award is retroactive all the way back to the signing of the Armistice (Cease Fire). Yet I have no idea if this is true. I want to add this to my Class A uniform (for my burial) but I don't know if this is allowed or what the process is to receive this medal retroactively

Response by SFC William Richmond made Nov 20 at 2017 2:25 AM

SFC William Richmond — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 02:25:43 -0500

Thank you Stephen for that clarification. I served 2,1/2 tours there so for my daughter I thought I'd look into it. Now do I get an oaklief?

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 5 at 2018 12:52 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 00:52:06 -0500

Yes, you are retroactively entitled to receive it. I suggest you contact your Congressman if you want it officially awarded.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made May 22 at 2019 4:09 PM

SSG Byron Howard Sr — Wed, 22 May 2019 16:09:58 -0400

Apply for it. Its lime 30 days straight. I was the 363days in 93 I got one.