Description
A bronze medal, 1 3/8 inches in diameter, with a top view of the globe enclosed at sides and bottom by a wreath and the letters "UN" at the top of the medal. On the reverse side is the inscription "IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE". The United Nations Service Medal Korea is the same design, except the obverse does not include the letters "UN" and the medal has a hanger bar with the inscription "KOREA". On the reverse side of the United Nations Service Medal Korea is the inscription "FOR SERVICE IN DEFENCE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS".
Ribbons
Although the same medal is used for all the United Nations Medals, a different ribbon is authorized for each operation. The operations in which United States military personnel were awarded the medal and authorized by DOD to accept the medal are:
United Nations Truce Supervisory Organization (UNTSO) in Palestine (UNTSO Ribbon). 7/32 inch Bluebird, 3/32 inch White, ¾ inch Bluebird; 3/32 inch White; and 7/32 inch Bluebird.
Wear Policy
Prior to 13 October 1995, all US Military personnel wore the blue and white United Nations Ribbon (UNTSO) regardless of the ribbon awarded. On 13 October 1995, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) approved a change to the wear policy of the United Nations Medal. Effective on that date, personnel who are awarded the United Nations Medal may wear the first medal and ribbon for which they qualify. Subsequent awards of the United Nations Medal for service in a different mission will be denoted by a bronze service star. Not more than one ribbon may be worn at any time.
