Korean Service Medal

Korean Service Medal
TypeService medal
Awarded forService within territorial limits or service that directly supported the UN's military efforts in defense of South Korea between 1950 and 1954.
DescriptionObverse: On a bronze medal, 1-1/4 inch in diameter, a Korean gateway, encircled by the inscription "KOREAN SERVICE".
Reverse: On the reverse is the Korean "taegeuk" symbol taken from the center of the South Korean national flag with the inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and a spray of oak and laurel encircling the design.
Ribbon: The ribbon is 1-3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/32 inch White; 19/32 inch Bluebird; center 1/8 inch White; 19/32 inch Bluebird; and 1/32 inch White
Presented bythe US Department of Defense
EligibilityMilitary service during the Korean War
Campaign(s)Korean War
StatusInactive
EstablishedEO 10179, November 8, 1950, as amended[1]
First awarded1950 (retroactive to June 27, 1950)
Last awardedJuly 27, 1954


Korean Service Medal ribbon & streamer
Precedence
Next (higher)National Defense Service Medal
Next (lower)Vietnam Service Medal
RelatedKorean War Service Medal (Korea)
Korean Defense Service Medal
United Nations Korea Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Presidential Unit Citation (South Korea)

The Korean Service Medal (KSM) was a military award for service in the United States Armed Forces and was established November 8, 1950, by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary US military award for service or participation in operations in the Korean area during the Korean War between June 27, 1950, and July 27, 1954.[2][3]

  1. ^ Amended by EO 10429, January 17, 1953, and EO 13286, February 28, 2003. Additional details and descriptions given at 32 CFR 578.44.
  2. ^ "Korean Service Medal". U.S. Navy Service and Campaign Medals. Naval History and Heritage Command.
  3. ^ "Korean Service Medal". The Institute of Heraldry. Archived from the original on 27 Jan 2024. Retrieved 27 Jan 2024.