Home > Awards Home > Air Force Awards > United Nations Service Medal - Korea

United Nations Service Medal - Korea

 The United Nations Service Medal - Korea (UNSM) is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participated in the action in Korea between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954, and who are also eligible for the Korean Service Medal. This medal is awarded for any period of time spent in combat.

 To qualify for award of the United Nations Service Medal, individuals must meet one of the following:

  A-1. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States dispatched to Korea or adjacent areas for service on behalf of the United Nations in the action in Korea.
  A-2. Other personnel dispatched to Korea or adjacent areas as members of paramilitary and quasi-military units designated by the U.S. Government for service in support of United Nations action in Korea and certified by the United Nations Commander in Chief as having directly supported military operations there.
  A-3. Personnel awarded the Korean Service Medal automatically establish eligibility for the United Nations Service Medal.
  A-4. Service with a national contingent designated by the U.S. Government for service in support of the United Nations action in Korea and certified by the United Nations Commander in Chief as having directly supported military operations in Korea.

 Service will be for periods between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954, inclusive, under either of the following conditions:

  1. Within the territorial limits of Korea or the waters immediately adjacent thereto or in the air over Korea or over such waters.
  2. The service prescribed must have been performed while serving with any unit as provided in A-1 and A-2, above as specified below:
   a. While on an assignment to such unit for any period between the dates specified above.
   b. While attached to such a unit for a period of 30 days consecutive or nonconsecutive, between the dates specified above.
   c. While in active combat against the enemy under conditions other than those prescribed in (a) and (b), above if a combat decoration has been awarded or an individual certificate testifying to such combat service has been furnished by the commander of an independent force or a division, ship, or air group, or comparable or higher unit.

 Exclusions: Personnel of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, any national government service, other than as prescribed above, and International Red Cross personnel engaged for service under the United Nations Commander in Chief with any United Nations relief team in Korea will not be eligible for award of the medal.

Category of Award: Foreign Service Award.

Beginning Date: June 27, 1950

Ending Date: July 27, 1954

Device(s): None

References:
AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, Page 196
AR 600-8-22, Army Regulation, Military Awards, Page 124
SECNAVINST 1650.1H, Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual, Page 7-6
DoD Manual 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Page 66, paragraph C7.2.3.3
DoD Manual 1348.33, Volume 3, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD-Wide Performance and Valor Awards, Page 72

Page updated June 9, 2017

U.S. Air Force
Ribbons and Medals
Order of Precedence