United Nations, hear us, this is the KDVA and cease-fire veteran’s message to you.  You can duck the issue, bob and weave all you want, deny if you like, but the truth is as real and as obvious as a heart attack.  The war you drew the U.S., UK, and many other free nations into fighting to free South Korea from the North Korean aggressor has not ended.  The casualties continue.  Your blue and white flag that flew before the cease-fire still flies in South Korea today.  The United Nations Command that you authorized, with the U.S. commanding, still operates under the same resolution, and its mission hasn’t changed.  The Military Armistice Commission you sanctioned has operated continuously since 1953.  Your flag is inside military offices, and flies over individual units, headquarters, command centers, guard and out posts, at Panmunjom, and is neatly tucked between the U.S. and ROK honor guard flags.  Your emblem is emblazoned everywhere!  

Cease-fire troops for years have been oriented in how to conduct themselves as representatives of the “UN”.  U.S. Military documents refer to cease-fire troops as “UN Troops or Forces”, and the deployment has been called a “UN Outpost”.  Your presence today is as real as the weapons carried on alert.  

Without the UN Intervention in 1950 there was a war of unification and political doctrine.  This isn’t very different from a civil war.  The difference is really a situation where the free world opposed the communist aggressor in a arbitrarily divided country.  YOU pulled the U.S. and UK in along with 14 other nations as combatants.  The 1950 to 1953 troops bore the brunt of the war and were recognized with your service medal.  They earned it.  WE, too, are there because of YOU, and it is because of us that you look good.  We have kept the aggressor where he belongs, north of the DMZ.  We didn’t do it without cost in lives and limbs.  U.S., UK, ROK, and troops from the other UN nations have suffered since 1953.  WE are continuing YOUR mission in a war that is not ended.   We are proud of the part we have played in South Korea's defense under your flag.  WE, too, have earned respect, but we have not received your recognition.  .

We aren't interested in your reasoning for withholding this medal.  It doesn't fit with the situation reality.  We serve UNDER YOUR FLAG, and whether we wear a blue hat, red hat, or a green one isn't relevant.  It was you that stipulated the U.S. be in command to do YOUR work!  Cease-fire troops are there because your work isn't complete and we are the containment and defense force in place just like you have elsewhere around the globe.  We serve under the command you sanctioned in 1950, and NOBODY wore blue hats then or now.  Recognize us with the UN Korean Service Medal, extend the eligibility . . . We earned it!

DEFENSE VETERANS EVERYWHERE

CONTACT INFORMATION

KEY POINTS TO THIS AWARD

1) The Congress and the Defense Department of The United States of America have authorized the award of the new KOREA DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL (a campaign medal) to all who served in defense of the Republic of Korea from 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined.

2) The Korea Defense Service Combat Recognition Act became Public Law allowing retroactive award of the CIB/CMB on the same basis as other regions/theaters/operations for Army Forces in Korea personally engaged with enemy forces from 28 July 1953 - TBD.

3) United States Armed Forces and UK Forces in Korea are in direct support of the United Nations as members of the U.S. led UN Forces Command supporting the unchanged UN Security Council Resolutions of 1950 as they continue negotiations seeking a permanent peace.

4) U.S. Armed Forces Headquarters, and DMZ Outposts (UN Guard Posts) continue to fly the United Nations flag.

5) U.S. Armed Forces members, post armistice, have been given orientation in proper conduct as a representative of both the United States and the United Nations while completing the tour of duty in defense of the Republic of Korea.

6) The United States Armed Forces in Korea are members of a containment operation of a viable enemy as well as assistance and defense to a nation resulting from the Armistice Agreement of 1953 (temporary halt to open hostilities with no surrender, peace treaty or other agreement) negotiated with the assistance and support of the United Nations.

7) U.S. and UK Armed Forces in Korea during patrol activity and guard duty at all times wear/wore combat attire including helmets, battle dress uniforms, carry loaded weapons and ammunition, communications devices, other required gear and they remain(ed) on a high alert status equal to that found in other UN Operations everywhere else in the world.

8) Armed Forces from the ROK, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Greece,
Turkey, Thailand, Philippines. Ethiopia and France still have a military presence in South Korea. 

United Nations Korean Medal  

Establishing Authority

The United Nations Korean Medal was originally designated as the United Nations Service Medal but was officially renamed the United Nations Korean Medal on November 22, 1961. It was established pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 483(V) on December 12, 1950, which provided for "the design and award, under such regulations as the Secretary-General shall prescribe, of a distinguishing ribbon or other insignia for personnel which has [sic] participated in Korea in the defense of the Principles of the Charter of the United Nations."

Acceptance by the United States

Acceptance and wear of this medal was authorized by Public Law 83-354, which authorized the acceptance for foreign medals and decorations from June 27, 1950 through July 27, 1955, for the Korean War.

Effective Dates

The United Nations Korean Medal was awarded for qualifying service between the inclusive dates of June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954. There are three exceptions to this terminal date, each requested by the Governments noted: Netherlands: January 1, 1955; Thailand and Sweden, July 27, 1955 .  

Criteria

The United Nations Korean Medal was generally awarded for any period of service while assigned as a member of the Armed Forces dispatched to Korea or adjacent areas for service on behalf of the United Nations. Service in qualifying organizations had to be certified by the United Nations Commander-in-Chief as having directly supported military operations in Korea. In the case of the United States, such certification was issued in General Orders 31 (June 20, 1955); General Orders 33 (July 11, 1955); and General Orders 36 (July 13, 1955).

Designer

The design of the medal was specified in Section II United Nations regulations issued on September 25, 1951.

Order of Precedence

The order of precedence for wearing the United Nations Korean Medal is set by the national government of the recipients. In the case of the United States, the medal is worn as follows:  

Army: After the Philippine Independence Medal and before the Inter-American Defense Board Medal.
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard: After the Philippine Independence Medal and before the United Nations Medal.
Air Force: The United Nations Korean Medal is worn after foreign unit citations.

Devices

No devices were authorized for the United Nations Korean Medal; however, the suspension bar on the obverse contains the word KOREA (in the language in which the medal was issued).

Description and Symbolism

Obverse
In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, the emblem of the United Nations  

THIS IS WHAT THEY SAID, WE QUOTE THEM.