United Nations Service Medal (Korea)

BACK DEVICE(s)

Description:

1. The medal was established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 483(V), 12 December 1950.
2. Presidential acceptance for the U.S. Armed Forces was announced by the Department of Defense on 27 November 1951.
3. The medal was awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who participated in the United Nations action in Korea (between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954) and who are also eligible for the Korean Service Medal.
4. This medal is awarded for any period of time spent in combat during the eligibility period.
5. To qualify for award of the UNSM, individuals must meet one of the following:
   1. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States dispatched to Korea or adjacent areas for service on behalf of the United Nations in the action in Korea.
   2. Other personnel dispatched to Korea or adjacent areas as members of paramilitary and quasi-military units designated by the U.S. Government for service in support of United Nations action in Korea and certified by the United Nations Commander in Chief as having directly supported military operations there.
   3. Personnel awarded the Korean Service Medal automatically establish eligibility for the United Nations Service Medal.
   4. Service with a national contingent designated by the U.S. Government for service in support of the United Nations action in Korea and certified by the United Nations Commander in Chief as having directly supported military operations in Korea.
6. Service requirements. Service will be for periods provided between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954, inclusive, under either of the following conditions:
   1. Within the territorial limits of Korea or the waters immediately adjacent thereto or in the air over Korea or over such waters.
   2. The service prescribed must have been performed while serving with any unit as provided in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section as specified below:
      • While on an assignment to such unit for any period between the dates specified above.
      • While attached to such a unit for a period of 30 days consecutive or nonconsecutive, between the dates specified above.
      • While in active combat against the enemy under conditions other than those prescribed in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section if a combat decoration has been awarded or an individual certificate testifying to such combat service has been furnished by the commander of an independent force or a division, ship, or air group, or comparable or higher unit.
7. Exclusions. No personnel of the United Nations or of its specialized agencies or of any national government service other than as prescribed above and no International Red Cross personnel engaged for service under the United Nations Commander in Chief with any United Nations relief team in Korea will be eligible for award of the medal.

Background:

1. The medal, in bronze alloy, was designed within the United Nations, along the lines of British medals. The obverse shows the emblem of the United Nations--a polar projection map of the world taken from the North Pole, encircled by olive branches. The reverse of the medal has the inscription "For Service in Defense of the Principles of the Charter of the United Nations" set in five centered lines. The outer edge is a raised rim. A bar which is permanently attached to the medal, and through which the ribbon passes, has the word "Korea centered thereon.
2. The ribbon has seventeen equal alternate stripes of pale blue and white with blue at each edge.

The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness maintains a list of "Approved Military Decorations and Awards" which is a roster of the approved Joint DoD awards and/or operations for which the medal is authorized.
This is the Foreign Awards Awarded Prior to 1960 approved award/operations. as of the date shown in the document. You may want to verify if it has been updated at The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness (linked above)