Product ID: 236
Significance
The Australian General Service Medal for Korea recognises the service of those former Defence Force personnel who completed 30 days in South Korea during the post-Armistice period from 28 July 1953 to 19 April 1956.
History
On 6 April 2009, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, announced that Her Majesty The Queen had given her in-principle approval to the award of the Australian General Service Medal for Korea.
The establishment of the Australian General Service Medal for Korea was recommended by the Post-Armistice Korean Service Review which reported in December 2005.
Her Majesty The Queen approved the establishment of the Australian General Service Medal for Korea on 24 November 2009 by Letters Patent and Regulations.
How it is awarded
The Medal may be awarded only by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Force or their delegate.
Medal design
Australian General Service Medal Korea - Front and Back
The Australian General Service Medal for Korea is a cupro-nickel medal, 38 millimetres in diameter, surmounted by a connector piece attached to a suspender bar. The connector piece depicts the Federation Star, both on the obverse and the reverse. The obverse of the medal bears a central design of a relief map of South Korea superimposed over polar projection lines representing the United Nations, and surrounded by the words ‘Australian General Service Medal Korea’. Centred on the reverse of the medal are the words ‘Post Armistice Service 1953-1956’, which are surrounded by a wreath of Australian gum leaves and blossoms. The medal has an antique silver finish with a raised and polished outer edge.
Miniature
The miniature of the Australian General Service Medal for Korea is a half-size replica of the medal suspended from a miniature ribbon 16 millimetres wide.
The cupro-nickel circular, chamfered medal is ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward.
The back of the medal is inscribed with the words 'For Efficient Service in the Permanent Forces'.
Medal Ribbon
The ribbon for the Australian General Service Medal for Korea is 32 millimetres wide and has a central yellow stripe 8 millimetres wide flanked by blue stripes 6 millimetres wide, which in turn are flanked by white stripes 6 millimetres wide.
Ribbon Bar
The ribbon bar of the Australian General Service Medal for Korea consists of a strip of full-size ribbon, 32 millimetres wide and 10 millimetres deep, with no emblem.
Wearing
The Australian General Service Medal for Korea shall be worn on the left breast on all occasions when full-size orders, decorations and medals are worn. The miniature medal is worn on all occasions when miniatures of orders, decorations and medals are worn. The ribbon bar is to be worn at all times with service dress.
The medal is to be worn in The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards under the title War medals, campaign medals, active service medals and service medals, (see annex 1)’ and then in order immediately after the ‘Australian Service Medal 1945-1975’.