Korean War Service Medal
Encyclopedia
The Korean War Service Medal (or Republic of Korea War Service Medal (ROKWSM)) is a decoration of South Korea
which was first authorized in December 1950. Originally known as the Incident Participation Medal the medal was first authorized to South Korean troops who had participated in the initial counter-assaults against North Korea
n aggression in June 1950.
In 1951, President Syngman Rhee
ordered that the Incident Participation Medal be renamed as the War Service Medal and further authorized the decoration to any troops who were defending South Korea against invasion. In 1954, the South Korean government authorized the now called Korean War Service Medal to all United Nations
troops who had fought in the Korean War
between the dates of June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953.
While a number of countries accepted the award, at the time of the Korean War Service Medal's presentation to U.N. troops the United States of America declined to award the medal to U.S. soldiers. This was based on regulations of the time which curtailed the acceptance and wear of foreign decorations on U.S. military uniforms. Although subsequently some veterans attempted to have the decoration accepted, the Korean War Service Medal faded into history and was not heard of again until 1996. At that time the Army noted that it could find no record that the Korean Government ever offered the medal to the Department of Defense. This was technically true since the original offer was made to the United Nations Command. The Army took the position that unless the Korean Government resurrected their original offer, it was "not in a position to officially recognize or approve acceptance of the medal."
In 1999, the South Korean government proposed the decoration be reactivated and retroactively awarded to all Korean and U.N. veterans who had served in the Korean War. Planned presentations of the award were scheduled for June 2000, on the 50th anniversary of the Korean War.
On August 20, 1999, Francis M. Rush Jr., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army authorized the Korean War Service Medal for distribution and wear by service members of the United States military. The task of issuing the medal was assigned to Randolph Air Force Base
while the National Personnel Records Center
was responsible for providing documentation to verify eligibility and updating military records to show receipt of the award.
On April 23, 2001, the Korean War Service Medal was authorized for distribution and wear by service members of the British Commonwealth forces including the New Zealand Defence Force. (NZDF).
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
which was first authorized in December 1950. Originally known as the Incident Participation Medal the medal was first authorized to South Korean troops who had participated in the initial counter-assaults against North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n aggression in June 1950.
In 1951, President Syngman Rhee
Syngman Rhee
Syngman Rhee or Yi Seungman was the first president of South Korea. His presidency, from August 1948 to April 1960, remains controversial, affected by Cold War tensions on the Korean peninsula and elsewhere. Rhee was regarded as an anti-Communist and a strongman, and he led South Korea through the...
ordered that the Incident Participation Medal be renamed as the War Service Medal and further authorized the decoration to any troops who were defending South Korea against invasion. In 1954, the South Korean government authorized the now called Korean War Service Medal to all United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
troops who had fought in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
between the dates of June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953.
While a number of countries accepted the award, at the time of the Korean War Service Medal's presentation to U.N. troops the United States of America declined to award the medal to U.S. soldiers. This was based on regulations of the time which curtailed the acceptance and wear of foreign decorations on U.S. military uniforms. Although subsequently some veterans attempted to have the decoration accepted, the Korean War Service Medal faded into history and was not heard of again until 1996. At that time the Army noted that it could find no record that the Korean Government ever offered the medal to the Department of Defense. This was technically true since the original offer was made to the United Nations Command. The Army took the position that unless the Korean Government resurrected their original offer, it was "not in a position to officially recognize or approve acceptance of the medal."
In 1999, the South Korean government proposed the decoration be reactivated and retroactively awarded to all Korean and U.N. veterans who had served in the Korean War. Planned presentations of the award were scheduled for June 2000, on the 50th anniversary of the Korean War.
On August 20, 1999, Francis M. Rush Jr., Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army authorized the Korean War Service Medal for distribution and wear by service members of the United States military. The task of issuing the medal was assigned to Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located east-northeast of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 902d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
while the National Personnel Records Center
National Personnel Records Center
The National Personnel Records Center is an agency of the National Archives and Records Administration, created in 1956. It is divided into two large Federal Records Centers located in St...
was responsible for providing documentation to verify eligibility and updating military records to show receipt of the award.
On April 23, 2001, the Korean War Service Medal was authorized for distribution and wear by service members of the British Commonwealth forces including the New Zealand Defence Force. (NZDF).