Established in November of 1950, the Korean Service Medal honors United States Armed Forces personnel who carried out service in Korea between the dates of June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954 during and shortly after the Korean War. In 2004, the Korea Defense Service Medal was established to recognize post-war service in Korea. Qualifying operations are listed below.
All branches:
-Chinese Communist Forces Spring Offensive, between April 22 and July 8, 1951
-First United Nations Counteroffensive, between January 25 and April 21, 1951
-United Nations Summer-Fall Offensive, between July 9 and November 27, 1951
-Korean Defense, between May 1 and November 30, 1952
-Third Korean Winter, between December 1, 1952 and April 30, 1953
-Korea Summer, between May 1 and July 27, 1953
Air Force and Army operations
-United Nations Defensive, between June 27 and September 15, 1950
Marine Corps and Navy operations:
-North Korean Aggression, between June 27 and November 2, 1950
-Inchon Landing, between September 13 and 17, 1950
-Communist China Aggression, between November 3, 1950 and January 24, 1951
The Medal is bronze and features the image of a Korean gate framed by an inscription reading “KOREAN SERVICE.” The ribbon is light blue and is bisected by a thin vertical white stripe; it also features white edging.
Awardees may also be eligible for the United Nations Service Medal for korea or the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. The award may be issued with service stars, an arrowhead device, or the Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia as appropriate.