United Nations Service Medal

Background

This medal was authorized by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 12, 1950. The Department of Defense authorized it for the United States Armed Forces on Nov. 27, 1951.

Criteria

It is awarded to officers and enlisted members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participated in the action in Korea between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954, and who are also eligible for the Korean Service Medal.

Medal description

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.

Ribbon description

The ribbon has seventeen equal alternate stripes of pale blue and white with blue at each edge.

Authorized device

None