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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A name=TOP></A><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 7.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">March 09, 2004</SPAN><BR><BR><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt">Korea Defense Service
Medal criteria announced</SPAN></B><BR><BR></FONT><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">By <A
href="mailto:rhafeme@airforcetimes.com?subject=Question%20from%20AirForceTimes.com%20reader">Rod
Hafemeister</A></SPAN></B><BR><I><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 7.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Times staff
writer<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">SAN ANTONIO Air Force officials
have released information on how to get the Korea Defense Service Medal,
announced by Pentagon officials on Feb. 9. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">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. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">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.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">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. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">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: <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> Be engaged in actual
combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of
eligibility. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> Be wounded or injured in
the line of duty and require medical evacuation from the area of eligibility.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> 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. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> 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.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">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. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">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.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Air Force Personnel
Center has established procedures for applying for the KDSM, depending on an
airmans current status: <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> 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. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">· 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. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> 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. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> 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. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>