[DaveA37]

For several years there has been a push to get a medal for those who served but never saw hostile actions such as the years between the Korean and Vietnam wars. The rationale being the “troops” were available but never subject to the hostile action. Such a medal has never been authorized.

[BwanaNdege]

National Defense Service Medal

"It is awarded for honorable active military service as a member of the armed forces of the United States including the Coast Guard,
between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954, (Korean War),
between Jan. 1, 1961 and Aug. 14, 1974, (Vietnam War),
between Aug. 2, 1990 to Nov. 30, 1995 (operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm), and currently
from Sept. 11, 2001 to a date to be determined (terrorism attacks on the United States)"

"National Defense Service Medal "