Noriko Takaya Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 Sorry to be so way OFF TOPIC, but I am so flabergasted with this I had to share it with you guys, some of you who have served in the military. I just found out that I am going to be awarded the Korean Defense Service Medal for time in country operating near the DMZ in 1983. For those of you vets out there who served during the Cold War years and did not do time in wonderful spots like Nam, Beruit, Grenada, and Panama among others, you probably have the same group of ribbons I do associated with peacetime activity. While this may seem trivial to some, this is exciting news for me, even though I never fired a shot in anger. Sorry to sound like I'm bragging. I'm just excited to have something to add to my piddly overseas service award and good conduct medal. And, if there are any members here who served in Korea near the DMZ, PM me if you would like to find out if you are eligible for the award. Mods, close the thread when its run its course. Thanks! Quote
Jemstone Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 Let me say "Congrats" before this thread gets locked. Quote
JsARCLIGHT Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 Booyeah! I'll trade you my crackerjack kuwaiti liberation medal for that! Quote
Hurin Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 Congrats! Dude, that's a combat zone! You earned it! There's only a cease-fire in effect there. I don't think most people realize that. Though, you obviously do! Quote
zeo-mare Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 congratulation on the medal and for service to your country chris Quote
robokochan Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 Congrats on the medal! I spent a few months in and out of Korea. Mostly for Operations Team Spirit....and a few other pass by's. But yes if you spent any time there you definatly earned it! Rob Quote
Flaming Guantlet Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 '83 eh, I think I was born that year oh wait I was. Seriously though congratulations on your medal! Quote
MGREXX Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 Camp Hovey (1992-1993). I don't miss the ROK at all......except for the yaki mandu and the Soju. Quote
Bariaburu Faita Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 Congrats also. I am also the owner of a KLM from serving in a HFZ in operation southern watch. Appreciated the combat pay and no taxes withdrawn from pay more though Quote
bsu legato Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 Congrats, Noriko. Pardon my ignorance on the subject, but is it so common to award this type of medal so long after the fact? Explain it to a dumb civilian. Quote
Mechamaniac Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 (edited) Congrats dude! And BSU, yeah, it happens. My dad used to get stuff like that for the stuff he did in Viet Nam, but YEARS later. He was one of the few to receive an air assault badge when the Army first (or finally) recognized that certification. Apparently, he did that kind of stuff all the time in Nam, but back then, they didn't have a purty badge to go with it. Edited May 2, 2005 by Mechamaniac Quote
kensei Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 Congratulations! Now go out and celebrate this weekend! Quote
Pat Payne Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 Congrats, Noriko :thumbsup: ! (Shawn/Graham, can we have that smiley back, puhleez?) And, actually, I know about those medal snafus also, although not at first hand (I was never in the military myself) My grandfather on my dad's side had fought in WW2 as an infantryman in the Pacific and was involved in Guadalcanal. He apparently (I say that since he was very reticent about his experiences in the war) saw a large amount of combat, and at least enough to earn the Combat Infantry Badge. After the end of WW2, the US Army had instituted rules that said that any soldier who had earned the CIB prior to (IIRC) September 2, 1945 was automatically entitled to wear the Bronze Star. Many vets, including my grandfather, never knew that they were so entitled to wear the decoration. We're also unsure of what medals he did recieve during the war (with the exception of the CIB) as his medals and uniforms disappeared on his way back from the Pacific and his records were destroyed in the US Army archives fire in St. Louis in 1972. Quote
1st Border Red Devil Posted May 2, 2005 Posted May 2, 2005 Congrats Noriko. Already have your Cold War Service Medallion? Quote
Noriko Takaya Posted May 3, 2005 Author Posted May 3, 2005 Congrats Noriko. Already have your Cold War Service Medallion? No, I do not have the Cold War Service Medal as it was never approved by the military. I do have the certificate though. As for the KDSM, the medal was passed into law by G.W. Bush back in 2002, to honor veterans who served in Korea. See the links provided to see if you are eligible. http://foxfall.com/csm-common-kdsm.htm http://www.amervets.com/replacement/kdsm.htm The form to fill out if you meet the criteria but have been out of the service for a while is here: https://lnweb1.manpower.usmc.mil/manpower/m...doc?OpenElement Mind you this is for Marine Corps personel only. The Army has their own system which I am unsure of Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.