[or-roots] Korea Defense Service Medal criteria announced

[Eugene Melvin]

March 09, 2004

Korea Defense Service Medal criteria announced

By Rod Hafemeister
Times staff writer

 

SAN ANTONIO - Air Force officials have released information on how to get the Korea Defense Service Medal, announced by Pentagon officials on Feb. 9. 

The KDSM was created by Congress to recognize those who contributed to the defense of the Republic of Korea since the end of the Korean War. Pentagon officials say more than 40,000 service members have served in Korea or adjacent waters since the signing of the cease-fire agreement in July 1953. 

The KDSM period of eligibility is from July 28, 1954, to a future date to be determined by the secretary of defense. The medal is expected to be available in June. 

To be eligible, service members must have been assigned, attached or mobilized to units operating in the land area of the Republic of Korea, the contiguous waters out to 12 nautical miles or the air spaces above it. 

They also must have been assigned, attached or mobilized to units operating in the area and have been physically deployed in the area for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days and meet one of the following criteria: 

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

 Be wounded or injured in the line of duty and require medical evacuation from the area of eligibility. 

 While participating as a regularly assigned air crew member flying sorties into, out of, within or over the are of eligibility in support of military operations. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as one day toward the 30 or 60 day requirement. 

 Personnel who serve in operations and exercises conducted in the area of eligibility are considered eligible for the award as long as the basic time criteria is met. 

Due to the extensive time period for the KDSM eligibility, the nonconsecutive service period for eligibility remains cumulative throughout the entire period. Individuals will only be awarded one KDSM regardless of time spent in Korea, said personnel officials. 

The medal does not have any associated promotion points under the weighted airman promotion system. It is directly above the Armed Forces Service Medal in precedence. 

The Air Force Personnel Center has established procedures for applying for the KDSM, depending on an airman's current status: 

 Active-duty, Reserve and Guard personnel will be issued the KDSM by their servicing military personnel flights beginning this fall. Questions should be addressed to the contact center, DSN 665-5000 or (800) 616-3775. 

· Veterans, retirees or their next of kin may claim entitlement by writing to the National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63132-5100. Requests should include documents clearly proving service and dates in Korea, such as orders, performance reports, DD214, flight records, decorations citation or other official documents. Veterans and retirees should address questions to the NPRC customer service center, (301) 801-0800. 

 Reserve and Guard veterans and retirees under the age of 60 and their next of kin may submit their request with supporting documentation to Headquarters, Air Reserve Personnel Center, 6760 Irvington Place 4000, Denver, Colo. 80280-4000. Reserve and guard veterans under the age of 60 should address questions to the reserve personnel center, (303) 679-6134. 

 Reserve and Guard veterans and retirees over 60 years old must send their requests to the NPRC with supporting documentation. Questions should be addressed to the NPRC customer service center, (301) 801-0800. 
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