Korean War Medals Home Page

THE UNITED NATIONS SERVICE MEDAL, French issue - A Catalgoue of Decorations and Campaign Medals
Issued By Canada To United Nations Forces
For The Korean War 1950 - 1954

Home Page  United Nations Unofficial Medals About Us Contact Us
Obverse
Reverse
THE UNITED NATIONS SERVICE MEDAL, French issue 

 

THE UNITED NATIONS SERVICE MEDAL, French issue

Obverse Circular, with the emblem of the United Nations, a raised 22mm diameter polar
projection map of the world, encircled by two olive branches, (the traditional
symbol of peace).
Reverse A 0.5mm raised rim and perfectly plain except for the inscription in French
‘POUR LA DEFENSE / DES PRINCIPES DE / LA CHARTE DES / NATIONS
UNIES’ in 2mm high letters on four lines.
Size 35mm diameter, and 2mm thick.
Suspension Struck in one piece with a claw and straight non-swivelling suspension bar.
Above this is a narrow bar over which the ribbon passes, the inscribed bar of the
medal, and an upper bar.
Composition Bronze alloy.
Designers Unsigned, but designed within the United Nations.
Naming Small impressed block lettering 1.5mm high, e.g. ‘SD-802061 J.A.A. PROVENCHER’.
Ribbon 34mm wide, with seventeen alternate 2mm stripes of United Nations blue (9) and
white (8).
No. of clasps One – ‘COREE’ (KOREA) in French, an integral part of the suspension.
Other emblems Bronze oak leaf - A single bronze oak leaf emblem is worn on the ribbon
denoting a King's or Queen's Commendation for brave
conductor valuable service in the air awarded for non-
operational service.
No. issued Approximately 8,500.
Instituted By the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 483(V)on 12th December
1950 in recognition of the valour and sacrifice of the men and women who have
served on behalf of the United Nations in repelling the aggression in Korea. The
authority for the award was Army Order 149 of 1951 issued on 6th November
1951.
Qualification For French Canadian personnel service under United Nations command in Korea
or the adjacent areas, which included Japan and Okinawa, between 27 June 1950
and 24th July 1954. All officers and other ranks of the French Canadian Forces
the eligibility of those units were published in General Orders by the United
Nations Commander-in-Chief, and served one day or more. Members of specially
approved civilian categories who were certified by the United Nations
Commander-in-Chief as having directly supported military operations in Korea,
providing they wore the approved uniform of their organisation and served one or
more days. This included:-

(1) Cable and Wireless Detachments.
(2) Canadian Red Cross.
(3) Salvation Army, YMCA and WVS.

French coinage UN Medal only issued when requested by Francophone
recipients.