Sir,

You are correct in stating that the NDM is awarded during times of conflict.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2004 – A satellite photo Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld showed the Senate Armed Services Committee recently graphically depicts why Congress authorized the Korean Defense Service Medal.

The new medal is America's way "of recognizing the tremendous accomplishments," said a Pentagon spokeswoman, of service members who served in Korea from July 28, 1954, to a future undetermined date. "The Republic of Korea is prosperous, free and democratic because of the sacrifices of generations of Americans in that land," she added.


This medal is only awarded to those that actually served during the Korean war, not during the occupation.



The Korean Service medal was established on November 8, 1950 by President Harry S. Truman per Executive Order 10179. The design was created by Mr. Thomas J. Jones and used the symbols associated with Korea, relecting service in that Country.

It was awarded for service between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954 under the following conditions: