Korea Service Medal (Queens Korea)

Description

Instituted in July 1951, the Korea Medal was awarded for service in Korea between July 1950 and July 1953. Personnel who served in the Korean War may also be eligible for the United Nations Korea Medal, and Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975.

Design

The medal is a cupro-nickel medallion, featuring the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse depicts an image of Hercules fighting the Hydra.

Ribbon

The ribbon of the Korea Medal has alternating stripes of yellow and light blue in equal size. The colours represent Korea and the United Nations.

Clasps

Personnel awarded with a Mention in Despatches are authorised to wear the bronze oak leaf on the ribbon with the full size and miniature medals, with a small version on the ribbon bar.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Medal history and eligibility Read the full guide to the Korea Service Medal (Queens Korea): its history, who is eligible, and where it sits in the order of wear.

Korea Service Medal (Queens Korea): mounting options explained

Every replica medal can be supplied loose or mounted ready to wear. Here's how the options differ, so you can choose the right one.

Court mounted Required for serving ADF members

The medals are fixed to a stiff backing board so they sit flat and stay in line while worn. It's the neatest presentation, and serving members of the Australian Defence Force are required to wear their medals court mounted.

Swing mounted Traditional style

Each medal hangs freely from its ribbon below a top bar. This was the usual style from the Boer War through to World War II, and there are no fixed rules about who can wear it.

Ribbon bar For everyday uniform wear

Just the ribbons, mounted in order of precedence on a small bar. Ribbon bars are worn on uniform day to day, when full medals would be impractical.

Unmounted Medal and ribbon supplied separately

The medal and ribbon come as separate parts, ready for you or your mounter to assemble. Full size medals come with 30cm of ribbon and miniatures with 15cm.

Full size or miniature?

Miniatures are mounted the same way at a smaller scale. They're worn at evening and formal events, generally anything after 6pm such as dinners, where full size medals would be impractical.

Pin or magnetic?

Every style comes with a traditional pin or a magnetic fitting. Magnetic mounts hold firmly without putting holes in your jacket or uniform, and are easier to put on and take off, which helps anyone with limited dexterity.