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I think that since the Korean War has never officially been declared over that everyone that has been there in the last 60 years or so; should be designated a Korean War vet and decorated accordingly as opposed to being designated & decorated as a Korean Defense Vet. What do you all think?
Posted in these groups: 
Korean War
Korean War
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 46
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I would say that we are not actively at war with North Korea and that the Defense status seems to be more than fair. You do receive specific benefits for serving in South Korea because of the status. You are eligible for for the VFW after having only served in Korea. You receive the KDSM and an overseas tour credit. Having known several people who have served during the Korean War when they were actively at war, I cannot even consider comparing myself in this day and age to any of them who served so bravely, certainly a different level of recognition is more than deserved.
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SGT Ray Zavorka
Peacetime in the ROK is something that depends upon where you were and when. I was there between 65 - 67 at Camp St Barbara north of the 38th. I don't recall the exact number but in that year about 70 GI's died. Though peaceful much of the time, it was not a place where you could wander around after dark and we carried a weapon for latrine visits. Do I think that our service compared to our brethren who fought in the war? Not really, they gave a hell of a lot more. Now I live in Baltimore - Now this place compares to a combat zone!
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CPL Baron Thompson
I came incountry July '73 with 1st bn 38th Arty. Did a lot of time Firebase 4P1 and different positions North of the Imjin. Some missions were hot some not. Took incoming Arty fire and shots across the "Z"! Got combat pay and wear the 2ID Combat patch on the right sleeve. So why am I not concidered a war vet? Not to take ANYTHING away from the men that searved in the 50's. Its baffling how the guys that see combat do not get recognized for it!
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SFC Kingsley Adams
Well said, I'm just as proud to say that I'm a small part of that as a Korean Defense Vet.
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Not just no, but HECK NO. I was not at "war" during my time in Korea. I had a bed, a tv, 3 hot meals, time to travel around and whatever else I wanted to do. That is nothing compared to the keys freezing their butts off on the same hills that I walked in the shadow of. I'm good with having the Korean Defense Service Medal. Leave it at that.
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SGT Thomas Lucken
My son had a bed, TV, and so forth in Afghanistan when not out on Patrols!!!!
http://www.pinterest.com/brkeaster/ijmin-scout/
http://www.pinterest.com/brkeaster/ijmin-scout/
Imjin Scout is a distinct 2ID soldier of the US Army. They conducted combat patrols inside the Korean DMZ between 1954 and 1999. There have been over 40,479 combat actions inside the DMZ. These incidents include patrol ambushes, attacks on UN guard posts, artillery and mortar barrages and barracks bombings. At least 1,239 U.S. personnel have been killed, 87 captured, tortured, and held prisoners with more than 2,300 Republic of Korea soldiers...
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My father is a Korean war veteran and was, coincidentally, also there in the Camp Greaves area in 1976 during the Paul Bunyon event....Although he does not discuss much about his time there (or the Vietnam war) I'd assume he would not agree with (and neither do I) that our service there is the same as his during the Korean War.
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SGT Thomas Lucken
Thank you Sergeant Major and your are quite right. I as have posted in several other places on here, Korea for many years was a tough and hard duty. Especially 1991 and the years before that!
Also, Germany wasn't to pleasant before the wall came down in Germany. Ask veterans who served in 11th ACR in the Gap or 2nd ACR on the old Czech border! My brothers who served there can tell you some stories of that life! While they were there, I was in Korea!
Also, Germany wasn't to pleasant before the wall came down in Germany. Ask veterans who served in 11th ACR in the Gap or 2nd ACR on the old Czech border! My brothers who served there can tell you some stories of that life! While they were there, I was in Korea!
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SGT Leigh Barton
Compliments, thanks, and well done. To both you and your father. I don't need to have been in Vietnam to know that Advisory duty early in the conflict was significantly different from duty during Tet in 1968. Yet both produced casualties from enemy action. And where does the crew of the Mayaguez fit in? I also don't need to have been at the Chosin Reservoir to know that duty after the cease fire was signed was significantly different. And the sixteen injured soldiers that were thrown off the 2 1/2 ton truck with me and had to be medevaced? A month before those two trucks lost their brakes simultaneously at the top of a steep grade a tunnel from the north was discovered wide enough for traffic in both directions. Not sabotage? Doesn't matter. I was able to help, I didn't have anything more productive to do, so I did my best to make a difference in whatever corner of the world I found myself. I don't get, or want any benefits. Neither the medical profession nor the government will ever be eligible employers for me again. And recognition is most certainly not why I went. For those that made it home, welcome back, for those that didn't, GODSPEED.
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