Ref Thread: Korea Service Medal

[Brig]

Description: On a bronze medal, 1 ¼ inches in diameter, a Korean gateway, encircled by the inscription "KOREAN SERVICE". On the reverse is the Korean symbol taken from the center of the Korean National flag with the inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and a spray of oak and laurel encircling the design.

 

Criteria: The Korean Service Medal was awarded for service between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954 under and of the following conditions:

 

a. Within the territorial limits of Korea in waters immediately adjacent thereto: or

 

b. With a unit under the operational control of the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, other than those units within the territorial limits of Korea, which has been designated by the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, as having directly supported the military efforts in Korea; or

 

c. Was furnished an individual certificate by the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, testifying to material contribution made in direct support of the military efforts in Korea.

 

Background: a. The Korean Service Medal was established by President Truman per Executive Order 10179, dated 8 November 1950, and announced in DA Bulletin 21, 1950. The design, created by Mr. Thomas J. Jones, uses the symbols associated with Korea to reflect service in that Country.

 

b. There were ten campaigns designated for the Korean War and displayed as streamers on the Army flag. The campaign streamers are of the same design as the suspension ribbon for the metal. A bronze star is worn on the ribbon to indicate individual participation for each campaign. The inscriptions on the Army flag streamers are:

 

UN Defensive 27 Jun - 15 Sep 50

UN Offensive 16 Sep - 2 Nov 50

CCF Intervention 3 Nov 50 - 24 Jan 51

First UN Counteroffensive 25 Jan - 21 Apr 51

CCF Spring Offensive 22 Apr - 8 Jul 51

UN Summer-Fall Offensive 9 Jul - 27 Nov 51

Second Korean Winter 28 Nov 51 - 30 Apr 52

Korean, Summer-Fall 1952 1 May - 30 Nov 52

Third Korean Winter 1 Dec 52 - 30 Apr 53

Korean, Summer 1953 1 May - 27 Jul 53

 

c. Order of precedence and wear policy for service medals awarded to Army personnel is contained in AR 670-1. Policy for awards, approving authority and supply of medals is contained in AR 600-8-22. Policy for display of campaign streamers on guidons/flags and supply of streamers is contained in Chapter 9, AR 840-10

 

[Fly USMC]

I did a display of old military uniforms insignia, etc this past Memorial day at the local VFW. One of the VFW members came up to me and asked if I wanted something. This is what he gave me. A Korean War service medal with 7 stars . He stated that he had more stars on his KSM than any body else. He even pulled out his DD-214 to "Prove he wasn't bull shittin". He let me make a copy of the a copy of the DD-214.

 

Does any one else know of another KSM with more stars? According to the 214 he had 1 year 11 months and 5 days of foreign service.

 

He went got out of the army and then went back in for a while. He also showed my a Vietnamese made green beret with red flash and SF DUI, as well as a "sterile knife". He said that he wasn't ready to give that up yet and he was gone he would leave it to me in his will. He took my info. I hope I don’t see those items for many years.

[Captainofthe7th]

That is impressive...the most I have on a medal is four, the most on a ribbon is five (a single silver star) then a few with 4 stars.

 

Rob

[scottplen]

WoW !!!! My father was in 5th rct he has one silver one for 5 campaigns ! never seen one with 7 before!!!!

[ItemCo16527]

Wow, Generals Harold K. Johnson and Matthew Ridgway only had six battle stars each for Korea. I'm very sure 7 battle stars is very rare.

[Rattle]

I have this custom made ribbon bar !!

7 stars on the Korean war service medal.

 

 

Stephan