Korea Medal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Korea Medal
The Korea Medal, obverse (left) and reverse (right)
Awarded for	36mm diameter disk Cupro-nickel, Canada issue: silver
Presented by	The monarch of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom

Obverse of Canadian version

The Korea Medal (French: Médaille de Corée) is a special award given to soldiers, sailors, and air force members from countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. It was created in 1951 to honor those who served during the Korean War. This medal looks almost the same in all these countries, but the Canadian version has a few unique details.

History of the Korea Medal

Why the Medal Was Created

The Korean War (1950-1953) was a major conflict where many countries worked together under the United Nations (UN). This was the first time UN armed forces took on a combat role to stop aggression. The Korea Medal was made in 1951 to specifically recognize military members from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom who helped stop the North Korean takeover of South Korea.

Design of the Medal

What the Medal Looks Like

The Korea Medal was designed by Edward Carter Preston. It is a round medal, about 36 millimeters (1.4 inches) across. Most of these medals were made from a metal called cupro-nickel. However, the Canadian version was made from silver.

The Front of the Medal

On the front of the medal, you'll see a picture of Queen Elizabeth II. This picture shows her as the leader of her forces. When the medal was first planned, King George VI was still alive, and his picture was supposed to be on it. But he passed away in February 1952. So, the image of his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, was placed on the medal instead.

There are a few slightly different phrases around the Queen's head:

• ELIZABETH II DEI GRA. BRITT. OMN. REGINA F.D.: This is a Latin phrase meaning "Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God Queen of all the Britons, Defender of the Faith."
• ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D.: Later medals left out "BRITT. OMN."
• ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA CANADA: This phrase was used for medals given to Canadian participants.

The Back of the Medal

The back of the medal shows a picture of Hercules fighting a monster called the Hydra. This image was chosen to represent the fight against communism during the war. Below this image, the word KOREA is written.

How the Medal Is Worn

The medal is worn on the left side of the chest. It hangs from a ribbon that is about 31.8 millimeters (1.25 inches) wide. This ribbon has five stripes that switch between yellow and blue. The blue color represents the United Nations. If a person was mentioned for their bravery in official reports, they would receive a small bronze oak leaf emblem. This emblem was pinned to the same ribbon from which the medal hung.

Who Received the Medal

Eligibility for Service Members

Members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces could receive the Korea Medal if they served actively in the Korean Peninsula area between July 2, 1950, and July 27, 1953.

• Navy personnel needed to spend at least 28 days on a ship in the operational areas of the Yellow Sea or the Sea of Japan, or have at least one day of duty on land.
• Air force personnel needed to complete one flight mission over Korea or the surrounding seas, or meet the same requirements as navy or army personnel.
• Army personnel needed to serve at least one day with a unit in Korea.

Even if someone didn't meet these exact requirements, they could still get the medal if they were injured or died in combat.

Eligibility for Civilians

In some countries, civilians who worked with groups like the Red Cross, Order of St. John Voluntary Aid Detachment, Salvation Army, or YMCA could also receive the Korea Medal. They had to meet the same service requirements as navy personnel (if on a hospital ship) or army personnel (if on land).

Medals Awarded

About 15,000 Korea Medals were given to Canadian personnel. Among them, 33 members of the Royal Canadian Navy and 248 members of the Canadian Army received the special bronze oak leaf for being mentioned in dispatches.

Everyone who received the Korea Medal also automatically received the United Nations Service Medal for Korea. The South Korean government also offered its own Korean War Service Medal. At first, people from Commonwealth countries couldn't accept this medal. However, in 2001, Queen Elizabeth II approved that all New Zealanders who had the Korea Medal could also receive the Korean War Service Medal.

See also

• Korea Medal (South Africa)
• Australian campaign medals
• British campaign medals
• New Zealand campaign medals
• Canadian order of precedence (decorations and medals)