Korea Service Medal

In November of 1950 President Harry Truman created the Korean Service Medal as the newest entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals were intended to honor service person’s participation in the Korean War. These military ribbons and medals were awarded to any US Service person who performed active duty in the Republic of Korea between June of 1950 and June of 1954. The Department of Defense has divided the war into 13 campaigns, and a service star is awarded for participation in any one of them, though not all service branches are eligible for all 13 campaigns. An Arrowhead Device and a Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia are also authorized for participation in certain designated campaigns.

The Korean Service Medal was not issued after 1954. Instead of these military awards, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was authorized for service in Korea during the 1960’s. In 2002 President Bush created new military medals to honor service in the Republic of Korea since 1954. They were first issued in 2004, and they are called Korea Defense Service Medals. The Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation has also been retroactively authorized for any US Army veteran who served in the Korean War.