This is kind of old information (three year old to be exact), but I figure that there are allot of us veterans out there that still are unaware of this semi-new award.  I got my father-in-law info on it and what so you know, he was awarded it for a Marine Corps "float" he did in 1960.

Korean Defense Service Medal



The secretary of defense approved the implementing instructions and criteria for the KDSM on 3 Feb 2004.

The Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) is authorized to members of the armed forces who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the republic of Korea from 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined.

The area of eligibility 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. Effective 3 Feb 2004, the Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR) is no longer authorized for overseas tours in the republic of Korea. Service members must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive or for 60 nonconsecutive days, or have been in combat, wounded in the line of duty, a member of an aircrew flying within the area of eligibility. Only one award of the KDSM is authorized for any individual. In order of precedence the KDSM will be worn below the Global War On Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM) and above the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM).

Korean Defense Service Medal - how and where to request

www.defenselink.mil/faq/

Korean Defense Service Medal

Question
How do I go about getting information on the Korean Defense Service
Medal?

Answer
You may wish to read our News Release entitled: "DoD Announces Korean
Defense Service Medal" at the following web page,
www.defenselink.mil/releases/2004/nr20040209-0334.html.

Each military department will prescribe appropriate regulations for
administrative processing, awarding and wearing of the Korean Defense
Service Medal (KDSM) and ribbon for their service members, to include
application procedures for veterans, retirees, and next-of-kin. We are
providing below the mailing addresses and telephone numbers for each of
the military departments Awards and Decorations Office.

U.S. Total Army Personnel Command
Awards and Decorations Office
ATTN: TAPC-PD-PA
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22302-0471
Telephone: 703-325-8700

Chief of Naval Operations
Awards and Special Projects Branch
CODE: NO9B33
2000 Navy Pentagon, Room 4D453
Washington, DC 20350-2000
Telephone: 703-325-1770

Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps
Awards and Decorations Office
Manpower and Reserve Affairs (MMMA)
3280 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22314-5103
Telephone: 703-784-9342

U.S. Department of the Air Force
Headquarters, Air Force Personnel Center
ATTN: DPPPRA
500 C Street West, Suite 12
Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4714
Telephone: 210-565-2516

Like I said, my father-in-law was awarded the medal but he never would have known about it had I not brought it up in casual conversation while we were watching a show on the Korean War on the History Channel.

I just got a response from the National Personnel Records Center in the mail.  I have been authorized the award and should receive it from the Air Force shortly.

w00t!

Congratulations!  I'm glad someone else benefited from this information.

I saw this same info a few days ago and plan to submit my stuff to get it too. If you were awarded the overseas service medal for Korea you have to remove that and wear this instead.

I qualify.I did 3 deployments to Korea from Okinawa in 1995,1996,1997