Posted on Nov 9, 2013

Korean War Vet vs. Korean Defense Vet

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I think that since the Korean War has never officially been declared over that everyone that has been there in the last 60 years or so; should be designated a Korean War vet and decorated accordingly as opposed to being designated & decorated as a Korean Defense Vet. What do you all think?

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Korean War

Edited 10 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

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SSgt (Join to see)

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

I served in Korea in the late 90's while in I was in the Army. In retrospect it was a tougher duty station than being stateside but not horrible. I remember getting the Army overseas ribbon at the time which seemed to be appropriate for a short tour overseas. Now service over in Korea warrants the award of the KDSM? I'm not sure that is warranted or necessary for service in the ROK. To me it isn't even worth updating my DD214 to obtain. In no way does this warrant a medal in my book. In fact compared to the sacrifices Korean war vets faced a one year unaccompanied tour complete with barracks with 3 hots and cot is nothing.

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LCDR Kent Meyer

>1 y

KDSM is a valid medal. There are many assignments that truly earn the medal from people stationed on DMZ to the Airmen at Kunsan to the Red Cloud soldiers. There is a lot of hard work that goes on, but there is also the luxury of being able to relax and enjoy yourself.

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SSgt (Join to see)

>1 y

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LCDR Kent Meyer

>1 y

if you did not understand your mission there or decided to slack off and not do or take seriously your job then that is your problem and not reflection on those working hard in the AO. if you don't want it don't wear it but don't act as though the area is without merit. tasteless comments are not productive to a discussion.

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SSgt (Join to see)

>1 y

It's ridiculous to warrant medals for long and short tours especially when they already have an Overseas service ribbon for the same action.

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SSG (Join to see)

Posted 10 y ago

Since there is no conflict happening (as of right now), you cannot declare yourself a Korean War Vet, you are simply a Korean Defense Vet. I have never been stationed there ( scheduled to go there in Mar 2015), but from the stories and other information from folks who have been stationed there after the war was over, has stated that it wasnt a easy assignment

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SGT Thomas Lucken

Posted 10 y ago

http://24thida.com/stories_by_members/harman_life_as_a_peacekeeper_korea.html

Life As A Peacekeeper In Korea, by Joseph L. Harman, DMZ, Riots, Camp Casey, Camp Howze, Always...

This is the official website of the 24th Infantry Division Association. It contains information about the 24th infantry Divison's wartime activities, copies of selected Taro Leaf publications, our Reunions, its officers, TAPS information, many first hand stories by our members of their actions in the Korean War, WWII World War Two, Desert Storm, and many other types of information.

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SGT Thomas Lucken

Posted 10 y ago

http://www.amazon.com/The-Fence-Walker-William-Holinger/dp/ [login to see]

The Fence-Walker: William Holinger: 9780887060243: Amazon.com: Books

The Fence-Walker [William Holinger] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Military Novel on the DMZ in Korea.

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SGT Thomas Lucken

Posted 10 y ago

http://www.koreanwar-educator.org/topics/dmz/p_dmz_dangerous_unpredictable.htm

Korean War Educator: Topics - DMZ: Dangerous and Unpredictable

Korean War Educator is a joint effort of civilians and veterans who are determined to establish and maintain a medium in which the general public can learn more about the Korean War.

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SSG (Join to see)

Posted 10 y ago

Too answer the orginal question, I say no to be called a Korean War Vet. My first tour was on Camp Greaves from 95-96 and doing that time frame things were alot different then.

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Korean War Vet vs. Korean Defense Vet

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