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Korean Defense Service Medal

 The Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM) is awarded to recognize military service in the Republic of Korea and the surrounding waters after 28 July 1954 and ending on such a future date as determined by SECDEF. Eligibility is as follows:

 Members must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating or serving on all the land area of the Republic of Korea, and the contiguous waters out to 12 nautical miles, and all airspace above all the land and water areas of Korea. Personnel must have been physically present in the areas above for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or meet one of the following:

 1. Be engaged in actual combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the areas of eligibility,

 2. Be killed, wounded, or injured in the line of duty and required medical evacuation from the area of eligibility. The KDSM may be awarded posthumously.

 3. 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 1 day toward the 30 or 60 day requirement.

 Authorized Device: None. Only one award of the KDSM is authorized for any member, regardless of the number of days over 30 or 60, tours, TDYs, or deployments served in the areas of eligibility.

Category of Award: DoD Campaign Medal

Authorized by: Section 543, National Defense Authorization Act, 2003

Beginning Date: July 28, 1954

Ending Date: Future date to be determined

Authorized Device(s): None

References:
AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, Pages 189 and 190
AR 600-8-22, Army Regulation, Military Awards, Pages 31 and 32
SECNAVINST 1650.1H, Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual, Page 4-33 and 4-34
COMDTINST M1650.25E, Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual, Page 5-20 and 5-21

Page updated June 9, 2017

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