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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use South African English|date=May 2014}}
{{infobox military award
{{infobox military award
| name = Korea Medal
| name = Korea Medal
| image = [[File:Korea Medal (South Africa).jpg]]
| image = [[File:Korea Medal (South Africa).jpg]]
| caption =
| caption =
| awarded_by = [[South African Defence Force]].
| awarded_by = the Governor-General to [[Union Defence Force (South Africa)|Union Defence Forces]] members
| country = {{flagicon| South Africa|1928}} [[Union of South Africa]]
| country = {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
| type =
| type = Military campaign medal
| eligibility =
| eligibility = All Ranks
| for = Campaign service
| for = Voluntary service in the Korean War
| campaign = [[Korean war]] 1950-53.
| campaign = 1950-1953 [[Korean War]]
| status =
| status = Discontinued in 1953
| description = Silver disc, 38 mm diameter
| description =
| motto =
| motto =
| clasps =
| clasps =
Line 22: Line 24:
| precedence_label =
| precedence_label =
| individual =
| individual =
| higher =
| higher = {{plainlist|'''SADF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 15093"/>
*[[Military Merit Medal (South Africa)|Military Merit Medal]] (MMM)
}}
{{plainlist|'''SANDF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>
*[[Chief of the Defence Force Commendation Medal]]
}}
| same =
| same =
| lower =
| lower = {{plainlist|'''SADF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 15093"/>
| related = [[Korea Medal]]
*[[Pro Patria Medal (South Africa)|Pro Patria Medal]]
}}
{{plainlist|'''SANDF precedence:'''<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>
*[[Pro Patria Medal (South Africa)|Pro Patria Medal]]
}}
| related = [[Korea Medal]] <br> [[Korean War Service Medal]]
| image2 = [[File:ZAF Korea Medal.png]]
| image2 = [[File:ZAF Korea Medal.png]]
| caption2 = Ribbon: 32 mm, orange, navy blue, air force blue, navy blue, orange.
| caption2 = Ribbon bar
}}
}}


The '''Korea Medal''' is a [[South African military decorations|military campaign medal]] that was instituted by the [[Union of South Africa]] in 1953. It was awarded to volunteers of the [[Union Defence Force (South Africa)|Union Defence Forces]] for service in Korea during the 1950-1953 Korean War.<ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/>


⚫
==The South African military==
The '''Korea Medal''' was a military [[campaign medal]] of the [[Union of South Africa]]. It was issued to South African volunteers who served in the [[Korean War]] between 1950 and 1953.
The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994 it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).<ref name="SADF 1952-1975">[http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/mil52.htm South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975]</ref>

===Orders, decorations and medals===
In April 1952 a series of military decorations and medals was instituted, consisting of substitutes for many of the British and Commonwealth awards which had earlier been used. More decorations and medals, as well as an emblem for being mentioned in dispatches, were added between 1953 and 1970. In July 1975 the military decorations and medals of the [[South Africa|Republic]] were revised. Some decorations and medals were carried over from the earlier series of 1952-1975 and new awards were instituted, followed by more between 1987 and 1991. Finally, all but one of these earlier awards were discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when a new set of nine decorations and medals was instituted to replace them.<ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/><ref name="Afrikaans 1">[[:af:Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975|Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975]]</ref><ref name="SADF 1975-2003">[http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/mil75.htm South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003]</ref><ref name="Afrikaans 2">[[:af:Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003|Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003]]</ref><ref name="Gazette 25213">[http://us-cdn.creamermedia.co.za/assets/articles/attachments/00893_presidentialwarrant.pdf Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003]</ref>

===Fount of Honour===
Until 1958 the top three awards were reserved for conferment by [[Elizabeth II|the Queen]] while the rest were awarded by the [[Governor-General of the Union of South Africa|Governor-General]], but in 1958 the Governor-General was authorised to also award the top three. In 1961 the State President became the [[Fount of honour|Fount of Honour]], and in 1994 the President.<ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/>

==Korean War==
[[File:South Africa-Korean War Memorial01.jpg|thumb|SAAF members who were killed or went missing in action in Korea]]
The Flying Cheetahs, [[2 Squadron SAAF|2 Squadron]] of the [[South African Air Force]], was South Africa's primary contribution to the [[United Nations Command]] during the [[Korean War]], where it operated under American command. More than 200 officers and some 545 other ranks saw action in Korea between 1950 and 1953, along with some members from other branches of the Union Defence Forces. Altogether 36 South African pilots were [[killed in action]] or were listed as [[missing in action]] during the Korean War. Eight pilots were either shot down by Communist forces or forced to land behind enemy lines and taken prisoner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/korean-war-ends |title=The Korean War ends &#124; South African History Online |publisher=Sahistory.org.za |date=1953-07-27 |accessdate=2014-05-13}}</ref>

==Award criteria for the Korea Medal==
The '''Korea Medal''' was awarded to volunteers of all ranks of the Union Defence Forces who served for one day or more in the Korean theatre of operations between 19 September 1950 and 27 July 1953.<ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/><ref name="Alexander">Alexander, E.G.M., Barron, G.K.B. and Bateman, A.J. (1986). ''South African Orders, Decorations and Medals''. Human and Rousseau.</ref><ref name="Monick">Monick, S, (1988). ''South African Military Awards 1912-1987''. South African National Museum of Military History.</ref>

==Order of precedence==
{{main|South African military decorations order of precedence#Order of precedence}}
The position of the Korea Medal in the official order of precedence was revised twice after 1975 to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first with the integration into the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994 and again with the institution of a new set of awards on 27 April 2003.

;South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994:
*Official SADF order of precedence:
** Preceded by the ''[[Military Merit Medal (South Africa)|Military Merit Medal]] (MMM)''.
** Succeeded by the ''[[Pro Patria Medal (South Africa)|Pro Patria Medal]]''.<ref name="Gazette 15093"/>

*Official national order of precedence:
** Preceded by the ''National Intelligence Service Decoration, Bronze''.
** Succeeded by the ''South African Police Medal for Combating Terrorism''.<ref name="Gazette 15093">Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993</ref>

;South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994:
*Official SANDF order of precedence:
** Preceded by the ''Chief of the Defence Force Commendation Medal'' of the [[Ciskei|Republic of Ciskei]].
** Succeeded by the ''[[Pro Patria Medal (South Africa)|Pro Patria Medal]]''.<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>

*Official national order of precedence:
** Preceded by the ''Chief of the Defence Force Commendation Medal'' of the [[Ciskei|Republic of Ciskei]].
** Succeeded by the ''South African Police Medal for Combating Terrorism''.<ref name="Gazette 27376">Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, ISBN 9771682584003 27376</ref>

The position of the Korea Medal in the order of precedence remained unchanged, as it was on 27 April 1994, when a new series of military orders, decorations and medals was instituted on 27 April 2003.<ref name="Gazette 27376"/>


==Description==
==Description==
;Obverse
The medal is silver in color 36&nbsp;mm in diameter. Around the edge is a laurel wreath, the left branch spreading from the bottom of the medal to the top, the right branch is shorter covering from the bottom to half way to the top allowing space for the word "KOREA". The center has the words "VRYWILLINGERS/VOLUNTEERS" with outlines of the [[Korean Peninsula]] and South Africa (including [[South-West Africa]]). They are connected to one another by a line with an arrowhead at each end, and five wavy lines. Superimposed on the outline of South Africa are the words, "U. van S-A./U. of S.A.".
The Korea Medal is struck in nickel-silver to fit in a circle 38 millimetres in diameter and 3 millimetres thick. Around the edge is a laurel wreath, the left branch spreading from the bottom of the medal to the top, while the right branch is shorter to allow space for the inscription "KOREA". The center has the words "VRYWILLIGERS" and "VOLUNTEERS", with outlines of the maps of the [[Korean Peninsula]] and South Africa, including [[South-West Africa]]. The maps are connected by a line with an arrowhead at each end and five wavy lines. Superimposed on the map of South Africa are the inscriptions "U. van S-A." and "U. of S.A.".<ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/>

;Reverse
The reverse has the [[:File:Coat of Arms of South Africa (1932-2000).svg|pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms]] and Queen Elizabeth's royal cipher (E II R) above the Coat of Arms. The medal number is stamped at the bottom of the medal on the rim.

;Ribbon
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide with a 6 millimetres wide orange band and a 5 millimetres wide dark blue band, repeated in reverse order and separated by a 10 millimetres wide light blue band in the centre.<ref name="SADF 1952-1975"/>

==Mentioned in dispatches==
A recipient of the Korea Medal that was mentioned in dispatches during the Korean War was entitled to wear a bronze oak leaf on the medal ribbon and ribbon bar.

==Discontinuation==
The conferment of the medal was discontinued in 1953.


==See also==
==See also==
⚫
* [[South African military decorations]]
* [[Korea Medal]]
* [[Korea Medal]]
* [[Korean War Service Medal]]
* [[South African honours system]]
* [[South African military decorations]]
* [[South African military decorations order of precedence]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
* Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986). ''South African Orders, Decorations and Medals''. Human and Rousseau.

* Monick, S, (1988). ''South African Military Awards 1912-1987''. South African National Museum of Military History.

==External links==
* [http://samw.hwmw.net46.net/ South African Medals Website]* [http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUvvBGsfKxVRuS2-WlNgXUwqIpWb82iHvUZljFSBxUaifg2_SSTw Image with South African Korea Medal in the center]


[[Category:Military awards and decorations of South Africa]]
[[Category:Military awards and decorations of South Africa]]
[[Category:Korean War]]
[[Category:SA military awards in order of precedence|215]]

Revision as of 22:35, 16 May 2014

Korea Medal
TypeMilitary campaign medal
Country South Africa
EligibilityAll Ranks
Campaign(s)1950-1953 Korean War
StatusDiscontinued in 1953
Established1953
Ribbon bar
Precedence
Next (higher)
SADF precedence:[1]
SANDF precedence:[2]
Next (lower)
SADF precedence:[1]
SANDF precedence:[2]
RelatedKorea Medal
Korean War Service Medal

The Korea Medal is a military campaign medal that was instituted by the Union of South Africa in 1953. It was awarded to volunteers of the Union Defence Forces for service in Korea during the 1950-1953 Korean War.[3]

The South African military

The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994 it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).[3]

Orders, decorations and medals

In April 1952 a series of military decorations and medals was instituted, consisting of substitutes for many of the British and Commonwealth awards which had earlier been used. More decorations and medals, as well as an emblem for being mentioned in dispatches, were added between 1953 and 1970. In July 1975 the military decorations and medals of the Republic were revised. Some decorations and medals were carried over from the earlier series of 1952-1975 and new awards were instituted, followed by more between 1987 and 1991. Finally, all but one of these earlier awards were discontinued in respect of services performed on or after 27 April 2003, when a new set of nine decorations and medals was instituted to replace them.[3][4][5][6][7]

Fount of Honour

Until 1958 the top three awards were reserved for conferment by the Queen while the rest were awarded by the Governor-General, but in 1958 the Governor-General was authorised to also award the top three. In 1961 the State President became the Fount of Honour, and in 1994 the President.[3]

Korean War

SAAF members who were killed or went missing in action in Korea

The Flying Cheetahs, 2 Squadron of the South African Air Force, was South Africa's primary contribution to the United Nations Command during the Korean War, where it operated under American command. More than 200 officers and some 545 other ranks saw action in Korea between 1950 and 1953, along with some members from other branches of the Union Defence Forces. Altogether 36 South African pilots were killed in action or were listed as missing in action during the Korean War. Eight pilots were either shot down by Communist forces or forced to land behind enemy lines and taken prisoner.[8]

Award criteria for the Korea Medal

The Korea Medal was awarded to volunteers of all ranks of the Union Defence Forces who served for one day or more in the Korean theatre of operations between 19 September 1950 and 27 July 1953.[3][9][10]

Order of precedence

Main article: South African military decorations order of precedence § Order of precedence

The position of the Korea Medal in the official order of precedence was revised twice after 1975 to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first with the integration into the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994 and again with the institution of a new set of awards on 27 April 2003.

South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994
  • Official national order of precedence:
    • Preceded by the National Intelligence Service Decoration, Bronze.
    • Succeeded by the South African Police Medal for Combating Terrorism.[1]
South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994
  • Official national order of precedence:
    • Preceded by the Chief of the Defence Force Commendation Medal of the Republic of Ciskei.
    • Succeeded by the South African Police Medal for Combating Terrorism.[2]

The position of the Korea Medal in the order of precedence remained unchanged, as it was on 27 April 1994, when a new series of military orders, decorations and medals was instituted on 27 April 2003.[2]

Description

Obverse

The Korea Medal is struck in nickel-silver to fit in a circle 38 millimetres in diameter and 3 millimetres thick. Around the edge is a laurel wreath, the left branch spreading from the bottom of the medal to the top, while the right branch is shorter to allow space for the inscription "KOREA". The center has the words "VRYWILLIGERS" and "VOLUNTEERS", with outlines of the maps of the Korean Peninsula and South Africa, including South-West Africa. The maps are connected by a line with an arrowhead at each end and five wavy lines. Superimposed on the map of South Africa are the inscriptions "U. van S-A." and "U. of S.A.".[3]

Reverse

The reverse has the pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms and Queen Elizabeth's royal cipher (E II R) above the Coat of Arms. The medal number is stamped at the bottom of the medal on the rim.

Ribbon

The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide with a 6 millimetres wide orange band and a 5 millimetres wide dark blue band, repeated in reverse order and separated by a 10 millimetres wide light blue band in the centre.[3]

Mentioned in dispatches

A recipient of the Korea Medal that was mentioned in dispatches during the Korean War was entitled to wear a bronze oak leaf on the medal ribbon and ribbon bar.

Discontinuation

The conferment of the medal was discontinued in 1953.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993
  2. ^ a b c d e Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, ISBN 9771682584003 27376
  3. ^ a b c d e f g South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975
  4. ^ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975
  5. ^ South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003
  6. ^ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003
  7. ^ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
  8. ^ "The Korean War ends | South African History Online". Sahistory.org.za. 27 July 1953. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  9. ^ Alexander, E.G.M., Barron, G.K.B. and Bateman, A.J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau.
  10. ^ Monick, S, (1988). South African Military Awards 1912-1987. South African National Museum of Military History.
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