|
|
Executive Order 10179--Establishing the Korean Service Medal
Source:The provisions of Executive Order 10179 of Nov. 8, 1950, appear at 15 FR 7665, 3 CFR, 1949-1953 Comp., p. 362, unless otherwise noted.
1. There is hereby established the Korean Service Medal, with suitable appurtenances, for award, under such regulations as the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and the Secretary of the Treasury may severally prescribe, and subject to the provisions of this order, to members of the armed forces of the United States who during any period between June 27, 1950, inclusive, and a terminal date to be fixed by the Secretary of Defense shall have served within the area or areas of military operations in the Korean theater.
[Sec. 1 amended by EO 10429 of Jan. 17, 1953, 18 FR 408, 3 CFR 1949-1953 Comp., p. 927]
2. The regulations prescribed by the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof shall be uniform so far as practicable and shall be approved by the Secretary of Defense. The regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to paragraph 1 hereof shall, so far as practicable, be uniform with the regulations prescribed by the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and approved by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to the said paragraph.
[Sec. 2 amended by EO 10429 of Jan. 17, 1953, 18 FR 408, 3 CFR 1949-1953 Comp., p. 927]
3. The term "Korean theater", as used in paragraph 1 hereof, shall be defined in the regulations prescribed pursuant to the said paragraph.
4. No person shall be entitled to more than one award of the Korean Service Medal.
5. The Korean Service Medal may be awarded posthumously.
DOD announces Korean Defense Service Medal
By Joseph Giordono, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, February 12, 2004
The Korea Defense Service Medal.
Who's eligible ...
The KDSM period of eligibility is from 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 nonconsecutive days or meet one of the following criteria: - Be engaged in actual combat during an armed conflict, regardless of the time in the area of eligibility.
- Wounded or injured in the line of duty and require medical evacuation from the area of eligibility.
- While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew 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.
The KDSM may be awarded posthumously, and only one KDSM award is authorized for any individual.
Source: Department of Defense
YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea Make room for one more ingredient in your chest salad.
The Department of Defense announced Monday the creation of the Korean Defense Service Medal, capping a years-long effort at recognizing those who have served in South Korea since July 1954.
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, read a Pentagon news release announcing the creation.
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 announcement means hundreds of thousands of current and former U.S. servicemembers are eligible for the bronze-colored disc, suspended from a green ribbon with blue, gold and white stripes.
The effort gained steam about three years ago, when a member of the Korean Defense Veterans Alliance and constituent of Rep. Elton Gallegly wondered why those who served in South Korea after the war werent awarded a campaign medal. Gallegly sponsored a 2001 bill to create the medal. After the Senate passed a similar measure, President Bush signed it into law in December 2002.
Veterans and those who have served in South Korea hailed the decision. More than 37,000 troops serve in South Korea each year, across a heavily fortified border from the million-man North Korean military. Since 1953, there have been 40,000 reported armistice breaches, and more than 1,200 servicemembers have died on peacetime duty.
It has taken until now for the Pentagons approval process to complete the creation, officials said.
Soldiers in South Korea seemed pleased, though a bit nonplussed, about the announcement.
Thats cool. It gives everyone something else to put in their jacket for being here, said 18th Medical Command Spc. Lisa Jensen, referring to military personnel files that help determine promotions.
Hey, I get another one to go with the Overseas Service [Ribbon]. But really, its nice that the soldiers here now and the ones who were here before are getting recognized.
According to the Pentagon, each military department will make its own regulations for processing, awarding and wearing of the medal. That includes provisions for veterans, retirees and next of kin for deceased servicemembers.
The two-sided medal has a Korean circle dragon on the front, encircled by the words Korea Defense Service Medal and sprigs of bamboo and laurel.
The four-clawed dragon is a traditional symbol of Korea and represents intelligence and strength of purpose, the Pentagon release said. The sprig of laurel symbolizes honorable endeavor and victory. The bamboo is a reference to Korea, officials said.
The reverse side of the medal has two crossed swords superimposed on a map of the Korean peninsula, ringed by a circle garnished with five points. The swords signify defense of freedom and the readiness to engage in combat to protect that freedom, officials said. The five points are meant to evoke a traditional five-petal symbol found on Korean armor.
The medal hangs from a ribbon of green (symbolizing Korea), blue (indicating overseas service and commitment to peace), gold (excellence) and white (idealism and integrity).
|
|
|
|
|
Articles & Briefings
