Korean Defence Medal?

[Eric Hood]

This is going to sound like a sea-story, but here goes. Met a former Marine in Walmart parking-lot. So, we start b.s.ing. He claims, that if you spend any amount of time in Korea, you are eligible for a Korean Defense Medal. He said, even if it was a couple of days. This is news to me, and I am somewhat skeptical. I believe the guy, but would like to have it checked out.
Eric

(Edited for spelling..Lep)

[William W Pence]

I received notification from the dept of navy and the medal was in the package. I was there for a field operation for two months in 1963..Semper Fi

[Eric Hood]

I was there for Team Spirit in '79, but it was only for three or four days. So, I don't really think , I qualify.

[Kegler300]

SUBJ/KOREAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL//
REF/A/DOC/UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE/03FEB2004//
NARR/REF A IS MEMO FROM THE OFFICE OF UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
ANNOUNCING THE KDSM.//
POC/MRS. D. M. MCKINNON/GS-9/CMC MMMA-3/-/TEL:703-784-9340
/EMAIL:MCKINNONDM@MANPOWER.USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MARADMIN MESSAGE IS TO
ANNOUNCE THE CREATION OF THE KOREAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL (KDSM),
AND TO ESTABLISH ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDANCE AND PROCEDURES FOR AWARDING
THE KDSM. PER REFERENCE (A), THE KDSM HAS BEEN CREATED TO RECOGNIZE
MILITARY SERVICE IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND THE SURROUNDING WATERS
DURING THE PERIOD BEGINNING ON 28 JULY 1954 AND ENDING ON A FUTURE
DATE TO BE DETERMINED.
2. TO QUALIFY FOR THIS AWARD, MARINES MUST HAVE SERVED IN SUPPORT
OF THE DEFENSE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DURING THE PERIOD SPECIFIED
ABOVE. THE AREA OF ELIGIBILITY (AOE) PER THE REFERENCE "ENCOMPASSES
ALL LAND AREA OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, AND THE CONTIGUOUS WATER OUT
TO 12 NAUTICAL MILES, AND ALL AIR SPACES ABOVE THE LAND AND WATER
AREAS."
3. CRITERIA: MARINES MUST HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED, ATTACHED, OR
MOBILIZED TO UNITS OPERATING WITHIN THE AOE AND HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY
DEPLOYED WITHIN THE AOE FOR 30 CONSECUTIVE OR 60 NONCONSECUTIVE DAYS
OR MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

More at the MARADMIN here

[Eric Hood]

Thank you Master Gunnery Sgt.!!
Semper Fi,
Eric

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Here's what it looks like:



The criteria is very, very simple. The MarAdmin spells it out.

Some things to remember (quoting from the MarAdmin)

"MARINES WHO SERVED IN OPERATIONS AND EXERCISES CONDUCTED
WITHIN THE AOE ARE CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE FOR THE AWARD PROVIDED THAT
THE BASIC CRITERIA IS MET."

"ELIGIBILITY FOR THE KDSM SHALL BE VERIFIED BASED ON THE
MARINE'S SERVICE RECORD, COPY OF ORDERS OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT THAT
CAN CORROBORATE THE MARINE'S SERVICE IN KOREA."

"IN THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE WITHIN THE MARINE'S SERVICE
RECORD OR LACK OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION TO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY
FOR THE KDSM, THE MARINE MAY COMPLETE THE SELF CERTIFICATION
DOCUMENT AVAILABLE ON LINE AT THE MILITARY AWARDS BRANCH WEBSITE.
THE COMMANDER, OR DESIGNATED COMMAND REPRESENTATIVE IS AUTHORIZED TO
REVIEW THE SELF CERTIFICATION DOCUMENT AND MAKE A DETERMINATION
REGARDING THE MARINES ELIGIBILITY FOR THE KDSM. THE CODE FOR
REPORTING THE KDSM IN MCTFS IS KD."


So, that's what it boils down to. The minimum criteria is 30 days consecutive, or 60 non consecutive days (with no cut off...it might take you 5 years to get them, but they all still count) in country, on duty.

[sgtjimh]

I got mine today after a wait of only 3 months. Earned it during a team spirit exercise in 1974.

[sgtjimh]

Got mine last week. Did 2 months in Pohang in 1974. Also got the cold war recognition certificate. Semper Fi

[ronr418]

How do I find out about this? I was in S. Korea for Operation Team Spirit "84"

[gitmogrunt82]

How do I find out about this? I was in S. Korea for Operation Team Spirit "84"

I was there for the same operation. I was with Cco 1/1, we came out out of Okinawa. Hoping that the time spent there for this and my time there with the air wing qualifies me for the medal

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Go back up a few posts and read the eligibility requirements. They spell it out pretty well.

To 'officially' have it noted on your DD-215 (an amendment to your '14) you'll have to put in paperwork through the proper channels. Make sure it's COPIES and NOT originals.