A bronze disc with an image of the Korean peninsula on a circular grid above crossed artillery shells, framed by laurel branches.
The medal is suspended from a ribbon 1 3/8 inches in width consisting of the following stripes: 1/4'' Peacock Blue, 1/16'' White, 1/32'' Scarlet, 1/16'' White, 9/16'' Aspic Green, 1/16'' White, 1/32'' Scarlet, 1/16'' White, 1/4'' Peacock Blue.
See Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards.
The following are authorized components:
a. Medal (regular size): Not issued. Available commercially.
b. Medal (miniature size): Not issued. Available commercially.
c. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/610. Commercially available.
The Republic of Korea War Service Medal (KSM) was originally offered to the Armed Forces of the United States by the Ministry of Defense, Republic of Korea, on 15 November 1951. On 20 August 1999, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management Policy) approved the acceptance and wear of the medal for veterans of the Korea War.