Medal to honor Korean War vets

The Dallas Morning News ^ | February 10, 2004 | From Staff Reports

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A new medal will honor U.S. military personnel who have served in Korea since the end of the Korean War, officials said Monday.

The Korean Defense Service Medal can be awarded to veterans who were assigned to the Korean peninsula for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days after July 28, 1954. Those who were involved in combat, suffered injuries or flew missions over Korea also can qualify for the honor.

“We’ve been working on it for about three years now,” said Tom Marrelli, Texas commander of the Korea Defense Veterans of America. The organization has about 400 members in Texas.

Marrelli served two tours of duty in Korea during his 20-year Army career.

U.S. peacekeeping forces have now been stationed in Korea for more than 50 years to secure South Korea’s northern border. The Pentagon estimates that more than 40,000 Americans have been a part of that effort each year since 1953.

As many as 2 million vets could be eligible to receive the new medal.

Distribution of the new medals will be up to each branch of the military.

A separate Korean War Service Medal, issued by the Republic of Korea, was established in 2000 to honor veterans of the 1950-1953 conflict.

Dallas Web Staff writer Walt Zwirko contributed to this report.

[GeronL]

Good .. but I would have guessed it would have to go to troops on the other side of the war to get it passed Congress.

[risk]

We win here or lose everywhere; if we win here, we improve the chances of winning everywhere. --Douglas MacArthur

[claudiustg]

Cool medal!

[SAMWolf]

Korean Service Bump

[LenS]

Gee, it's not every night that I get a medal while surfing the web. *g*

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank you BUMP!

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

Gee, it's not every night that I get a medal while surfing the web. *g*

Yep! I was thinking the same thing. I guess I'll have to buy mine on Ebay.

[Hoplite]

Worst medal ever. Rest assured I was on the internet within minutes registering my disgust throughout the world.

[snippy_about_it]

U.S. peacekeeping forces have now been stationed in Korea for more than 50 years to secure South Korea’s northern border.

It's too bad our superior power isn't made obvious to everyone, China included, to be able to call this over. /rant

I'm glad to see the recognition though of the service our troops provide there.

[risk]

Chosin breakout

[Cincinatus' Wife]

[risk]

I hope the South Koreans don't have to find out the hard way why it's a good idea to support our troops instead of berating us for our bad driving skills and how much precious real estate we're occupying.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[LenS]

Well, a lot of soldiers have died or been wounded along the DMZ. But most of that occurred from the end of the war to the early 80's. By my tour in 1988-89, it was a very quiet border. Probably because the North used tunnels, subs and travel through other countries to infiltrate the South -- much more efficient than trying to cross through the heavily armed DMZ.

[Snickersnee]

This medal is issued by the RoK, right? Has the DoD authorized it for wear on uniforms? Incomplete article.

[Snickersnee]

Cancel post #16 -- just Googled the KDSM and was surprised to see that it is a US medal.

[Hoplite]

I concur in your assessment that honorable deeds have been committed by our comrades in Korea - what I take exception to is that we are being honored for their deeds, however indirectly, through the issuance of this medal.

I wasn't there when the NK's were ambushing convoys around Kitty Hawk, nor was I there when the Russian defected in the JSA and triggered a firefight in the sunken garden - I was in Korea when we invaded Panama, and still there when we got it on with Saddam during round one in the desert. I have a medal from Desert Storm which I figure I earned by watching CNN (Nat. Def. Svc.), and which consequently means nothing to me.

On the other hand, I have an EIB which means something to me because it cost me some amount of effort and suffering.

This medal we're talking about cost me nothing, so it means nothing to me - fruit salad is viewed in the bad light it is because of these "thanks for coming" medals, and it's that aspect of this piece of ribbon that I'm taking exception to.

I have a bud who earned a Bronze Star in Afghanistan - which would be great, except he's kind of miffed about it 'cause he doesn't figure he did anything but show up. Comparing that to another soldier I know (served under) who earned one for chasing down some VC in a rubber plantation with an M-60, no less, and I hope you see what I'm getting at.

[StarCMC]

Cool -- my cousin would be up for that!

[Jammz]

The KDSM was authorized by the Fiscal Year 2003 National Defense Authorization Act for military members who served in the Korean area of operations from 28 July 1954 until a date yet to be determined. The DoD is currently creating the criteria and requirements for this award. Once this is complete, the KDSM will be manufactured, then DoD officials will provide direction on “who and how” the medal will be issued. Please note that the Korean Defense Service Medal is not connected to the Korean War Service Medal, currently being issued to Korean war veterans. We ask that personnel refrain from asking questions relating to the KDSM, until the criteria and requirements are available. When this information is available in a few months, it will be posted at the AFPC Awards/Decorations website and publicized via an Air Force wide message or MPFM

While I'm at it...

The president signed the order March 12 establishing the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal will be awarded to service members who serve in military expeditions to combat terrorism on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Operation Enduring Freedom is the prime operation the medal may be awarded for. Personnel assigned to operations in Afghanistan and the Philippines are examples of service members who will receive the award.


The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal will be awarded to service members who serve in military operations to combat terrorism on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Operation Noble Eagle is an example of the type of operation the medal may be awarded for.

The awards do not take the place of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, established Dec. 4, 1961, or the Armed Forces Service Medal, established Jan. 11, 1996.