An Official KDVA Publication - 1Q2007
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KDVA ACHIEVEMENT RIBBONS AWARDED
 HQ Staff
The Achievement Ribbon and Certificate has been awarded to two members for successful achievement of an initiative requiring personal incentive above and beyond the norm. These members are: 

THOMAS B. NOLAN - 177th USASA CO (1958-1959) Awarded for outstanding achievement in furthering the aims and mission of the Order by reporting the failure of the museum at Aberdeen Proving Grounds to recognize the KDSM in its display of service and campaign medals awarded to members of the U.S. Military, initiating contact with the museum to make correction, monitoring and reporting status to KDVA HQ.  This initiated the KDVA U.S. Army Korea Defense Service Medal Non Recognition Project.  This project closed successfully with the KDSM added to the museum display.   
CHARLES DAVIS, NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICER - F CO, 2/21 INF, 24ID (1955-1956) (U.S. Army Korea Defense Service Medal Non Recognition Project)  Awarded for outstanding achievement in furthering the aims and mission of the Order by engaging U.S. House Representative Don Sherwood (PA - 25th) to investigate the failure of the museum at Aberdeen Proving Grounds to recognize the KDSM in its display of service and campaign medals awarded to members of the U.S. Military and reconcile this failure.  This project closed successfully with the KDSM added to the museum display.  

Members that have been personally engaged in combat with enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on or after 28 July 1954, under any Army MOS or any service branch, and want to receive the Hostile Action Ribbon and Certificate should send documents evidencing their personal participation in a specific hostile incident to: KDVA Awards Committee, PO Box 631, Middlesex, NJ 08846.

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KDVA CHAPLAIN MINISTERS OUTREACH PROGRAM
HQ Staff

   Pastor Lee Tucker, KDVA Headquarters Chaplain, is the founder of the Lakewood Outreach Ministry in Lakewood, NJ.  Although he is slowly losing his eyesight, he has not lost his faith in God, his compassion for his fellow man or his patriotism and loyalty to the military veteran.  His ministry serves the needy and homeless.  He recently has become involved with homeless veterans.
   Tucker was an Infantryman in Korea in 1965 and 1966 serving with HHC, 2/23rd Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division.  Most of his tour he was billeted at Camp Young north of the Imjin River.  During his tour he took part in all types of patrols and stakeouts and responded to several firefights in the DMZ.  On one occasion he received leg burns when the radiator of the M114A1 he was driving took a hit from a missile and sprayed hot water on his legs.  He also remembers seeing an NK with the top of his head blown off after a firefight.  He is an Imjin Scout.
Chaplain Tucker is assisted in his ministry by Minister Steve Brigham and volunteer workers.  They serve the homeless in Lakewood, Brick and Toms River.  His work has drawn the attention of numerous news media including articles in the Asbury Park Press, a large circulation paper in the Shore area of New Jersey and a TV news feature in the New York Metropolitan area by CBS News.  The Outreach program is awaiting an interview with ABC News, New York.
    In the above photo, Pastor Tucker, “Minister Steve” as he is commonly known, and Ron, a homeless veteran, stand in front of the surplus Air Force bus they use to serve those in need.  The seats have been removed to make room for day beds, a shower, a stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer, bins of food and other things they might require.  Minister Steve and others recently gave aid to homeless individuals, including veterans, living in a woods behind a car wash off Route 37.  In just one hour 10 volunteers erected a large tent with a complete shower system inside including heat and hot water.  He is often referred to as the Guardian Angel in a creaky bus.
    Anyone desiring to help the homeless can contact Pastor Tucker or Minister Steve at:  PO Box 326, Lakewood, NJ 08701.   
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3-YEAR ACCOMPANIED TOURS EYED FOR KOREA
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer - Marine Corps Times
Thursday Mar 8, 2007
     The general who commands all U.S. troops in South Korea said Wednesday he wants to stretch normal tours of duty from one year to three and authorize all married U.S. troops assigned there to bring their families.
     Army Gen. Burwell Bell, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, also told the House Armed Services Committee that he wants to change the status of 2,000 family members now in South Korea classified as noncommand-sponsored — that is, in country without military authorization and with limited access to U.S. facilities such as health clinics — to an authorized or “accompanied” status.          “It’s time for us to transition from a one-year combat rotation ... to a normal three-year kind of tour,” Bell said.
     Bell said that despite “highly provocative” actions by North Korea during the past year — referring to ballistic missile launches — he feels “extremely confident” in the Republic of Korea army’s capability to defend South Korea, in concert with U.S. ground, air and naval forces.
     He noted that U.S. forces are gradually moving south, away from the demilitarized zone, as the U.S.-led Korea command moves to cede wartime operational control of South Korean for the first time since 1950, a move due to be completed by 2012. The move will take U.S. forces — and, if approved, their families — further from the conventional threat North Korean forces pose, he said.
     Such a change, Bell said, would help build the U.S.-South Korean alliance “one family at a time.” And, he added, “It would do right by our families.”
     About 2,900 family members currently are authorized to live in South Korea with their military sponsors, generally in areas well away from the demilitarized zone, Bell said. About 29,000 U.S. troops are now in South Korea, down from about 37,000 four or five years ago.
     Maintaining the status quo that prevents most troops from bringing their families with them to Korea contributes to “several debilitating realities,” Bell said in a written statement provided to the committee. “We are needlessly separating our families from their service members — service members who are already relentlessly rotating from their bases in the United States and Europe to repeated combat tours.
     “Given the nature of the Global War on Terrorism, most political-military analysts predict that the U.S. military will continue rotational commitments to combat zones for years to come. We are needlessly contributing to increased rotational turbulence by continuing short tours in a modern Korea.”
     Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., ranking Republican on the armed services committee, asked Bell whether such a change would be a wise move in light of continuing concerns over North Korea’s nuclear weapons development.  “It is not unusual for families of service members to be under the arc of nuclear weapons,” Bell replied, referring to the stationing of family members in Western Europe during the Cold War. r1 aroma

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AF COMBAT ACTION AWARD UPDATE
About U.S. Military 30 Jan 07
CRITERIA
The Air Force will begin awarding a new Combat Action Medal in April.   The Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM) may be awarded to Airmen that have directly participated in active combat, either in the air or on the ground, as part of their official duty.  Airmen serving as a crew member on a C130 providing key support to Coalition forces or Airmen servicing as a convoy escort operation that takes fire, for instance, would be eligible to apply for the award.  Airmen can apply for the award to recognize participation in combat activities dating back as far as Sept. 11, 2001. In order for an Airman to wear the AFCAM, a narrative explanation of the Airman's involvement in combat activities must be submitted by a person with first-hand knowledge of the incident.  The application will be processed through the chain of command and eventually be approved or disapproved by the Commander of Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR).
Since the Air Force started manning convoy operations in support of the war on terror, more Airmen have had an opportunity to put their rifle training to use in real-world scenarios. Today, explosive ordnance disposal and security forces Airmen, along with those performing in-lieu-of taskings, have joined battlefield Airmen working "outside the wire" in Iraq and Afghanistan and are regularly involved in combat situations as part of their duty. It is for those Airmen involved in combat operations, on the ground and in the air, that the Air Force has created the Air Force Combat Action Medal, said Gen. Brady.  To develop criteria for the award and to get a better understanding of what Airmen were looking for in combat recognition, the Air Force consulted with combat-experienced Airmen. General Brady said the AFCAM will be unveiled sometime in April. Then, as part of the unveiling ceremony, some Airmen will be awarded the new medal. At that time, the Air Force will begin to process additional applications for the award.  The AFCAM will be the highest-level Air Force individual award to not earn points under the Weighted Airmen Promotion System.
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U.S. ARMY HISTORICAL FOUNDATION REGISTRY
HQ Staff
   
The U.S. Army Historical Foundation is reaching out to veterans organizations in a concerted effort to work together to honor Army Veterans across the nation.  They have requested that the KDVA  become part of the  Registry of the American  Soldier, a program of the National Museum of the United States Army.  Every registry entry includes a Soldier's name, hometown, rank and service history. There is no charge to be enrolled; however, there is a $10.00 fee to have a photograph added to the registry.  To date the, the names and service histories of over 44.000 Soldiers and Army Vets. have been entered in the registry.

   Once built, the National Army Museum will present a comprehensive history of the Army from Colonial times to the present and educate the public on the Army's role in developing our nation and preserving freedom at home and around the world.

   (Left:  Example of online registry.)
The KDVA will confer with members of the foundation within the next few weeks to discuss how we can be of support in this outstanding opportunity to recognize the Soldiers of our Nation's Army.  The registry can be viewed online at the Army Historical Foundation web site at:  http://www.usarmyregistry.org   Army veterans may establish an account and submit their own historical registry at this site.
   The KDVA will work with all service branches should they develop a similar project to recognize their members.
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RECRUITING, THE LIFE-BLOOD OF AN ORGANIZATION
Casey Clayton
     This message is written in the simplest form.  Recruiting is the life-blood of any organization.  The organization's strength is dependent upon its size in numbers.  The organization's voice is only as strong as its membership.  The organization's membership is dependent upon its members.  Membership develops at the lowest level of the organization.    Let's follow the oldest of recruiting principles, it is:  BRING IN ONE MEMBER TO REPLACE YOURSELF AND ONE MEMBER TO GROW ON.
  When recruiting new members be sure that your name is listed on the application as the recommender for the new member.   The application has a printed line for this information.  This recommender name is processed with the applicant's information and stored in the member data base and is used to verify recruitment.  When a member has recruited five new members they will be awarded the Recruiting Achievement Ribbon.   Appurtenances are affixed to the ribbon for subsequent awards.  These ribbon devices can be found on the Membership page of the KDVA web site.
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UNITED NATIONS MEMORIAL WALL
Korea Vet News ( Canada ) 11 Feb 07
     The United Nations Memorial Wall can be found in the UN Memorial Cemetery, Daeyon-4dong, Nam-gu, Busan Metropolitan City , Korea . It is a little known memorial and work of art measuring two meters high by approximately 150 meters in length (one and one-half football fields) that contains the names of 40,895 allied servicemen who lost their lives on United Nations service during the Korean War.  It is so little known that a search of the U.S. internet to gather data to assist in writing this article revealed no information on it.  In length it is larger in size than the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC which contains the names of 58,253 personnel who fell in service during the Vietnam War. The Memorial Wall was dedicated with virtually no fanfare or publicity on 24 OCT 06, marking the 61st anniversary of the 1945 founding of the United Nations.
     The UN Memorial Cemetery Commission overseas the cemetery and is comprised of the Ambassadors (or their representatives) of the countries of the interred servicemen. The cemetery occupies 14.7 hectare of land donated by the Korean government.  It became a burial ground in APR 51 following relocation of the graves by the UN Forces Command in Korea , which began in January of the same year, from six temporary graveyards scattered around the nation.  These were mainly in the areas of Kaeseong, Incheon, Daejeon, Daegu, Milyang, and Masan . Although there had been about 11,000 of the UN’s fallen braves interred at the cemetery in the years from 1951 to 1954, there now rest only 2,300 since Belgium , Colombia , Ethiopia , Greece , Philippines , and Thailand brought their fallen warriors back home. The US also took back most of theirs and France and Norway transferred some of theirs back home. Currently interred are 281 Australians, 378 Canadians, 44 French, 117 Dutch, 34 New Zealanders, 1 Norwegian, 36 Koreans, 11 South Africans, 462 Turkish, 885 British, 36 Americans, 4 unknown, and 11 non-combatants.
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EUROPE DEFENSE VETERANS OF AMERICA
HQ Staff
EDVA HONOR BLANKET

Commander Joe Martin, Europe Defense Veterans of America, a Marine Corps veteran, stands proudly next to the Honor Blanket exhibiting patches from organizations supporting the EDVA mission for award of a Europe Defense Service Medal for all that served in Europe during the Cold War era.  (Note the KDVA ROK and ROLLERS Biker Brigade and Organization logo patches top row left.)
     The U.S. Forces, from their original inception April 1949 to December 1991, maintained a presence in Europe, the airspace above and contiguous surrounding waters to deter aggressive acts of war from belligerent hostile nations, and to promote peace, freedom and stability upon the European continent.
     Approximately 5 million service personnel from all service branches were deployed as ground forces, on and near the former "Iron Curtain" area of Europe, extending from the Baltic Sea to Czechoslovakia . They were deployed for a distance of approximately 850 miles on the front, and for hundreds of more miles on the northern and southern flanks.
     U.S. Forces engaged in confrontations that included the Berlin Blockade, the Hungarian Uprising, the Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia, the Construction of the Berlin Wall to skirmishes, border disputes, and stand-offs.  The U.S. military presence in Europe was instrumental in the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the Reunification of Germany, and the Dissolution of the Soviet Union-Warsaw Pact nations in 1991.
     At least 62 U.S. Troops were Killed-in-action along the East and West Front of the Iron Curtain in the 45 years of the Cold War in Europe, while at least 18 U.S. P.O.W./M.I.A.'s have yet to be accounted for in-theater, and an estimated 5,660 uniformed U.S. Military personnel were Killed in training exercises and accidents in Germany alone from 1945-91.
     To support the EDVA's mission, visit their web site and sign the petition.  The web site is: http://www.edva.us      
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VA HANDBOOK 2007 NOW AVAILABLE
A new edition of the Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents handbook by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been released. It updates the rates for certain federal payments and outlines a variety of programs and benefits for American veterans. Most of the nation's 25 million veterans qualify for some VA benefits, which range from health care to burial in a national cemetery. In addition to health-care and burial benefits, veterans may be eligible for programs providing home loan guaranties, educational assistance, training and vocational rehabilitation, income assistance pensions, life insurance and compensation for service-connected illnesses or disabilities. In some cases, survivors of veterans may also be entitled to benefits. The handbook describes programs for veterans with specific service experiences, such as prisoners of war or those concerned about environmental exposures in Vietnam or in the Gulf War, as well as special benefits for veterans with severe disabilities. In addition to describing benefits provided by VA, the 2007 edition of the 160-page booklet provides an overview of programs and services for veterans provided by other federal agencies. It also includes resources to help veterans access their benefits, with a listing of toll-free phone numbers, Internet addresses and a directory of VA facilities throughout the country. The handbook can be downloaded free from VA's Web site at http://www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf or http://www1.va.gov/OPA/vadocs/current_benefits.asp or http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/index.asp or purchased with credit card or check from the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). GPO accepts credit card orders for the publication at (866)512-1800 for a cost of $5 each to U.S. addresses, or $67 for bulk orders of 25 copies. It order is by mail make check out to Superintendent of Documents and mail to the GPO at Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.
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ROK SERVICE MEDAL UPDATE
  This report is still unchanged.  The Public Affairs office of USFK has our petition to have the ROKSM reinstated.  They are in communication with members in the Personnel Management Division of the ROK Ministry of National Defense.  The ROK MND acknowledges the creation and awarding of the medal in 1972 and that most recipients were "US service members".  The ROK MND also acknowledges the US/JCS Pentagon rejected the award in 1974.  The issue is now working its way through the various channels at both USFK and the ROK MND where they state there is much work to be done.  This information was provided to the KDVA Defense Affairs Officer by the Department of the Army.
     We will try to use the Korean immigrant population around the country to support this project through nationwide petition signing.  A petition form and explanation cover sheet has been created for this task.  We will also use ROK global industries that are heavily invested in the USA.    
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KDVA COMMEMORATIVE CHALLENGE COIN - YOU ASKED FOR IT
Quartermaster Exchange
  
     The challenge coin commemorating the KDSM award is now in the manufacturing process.  The round coin will be 1 3/4 inches in diameter, hard enamel and satin gold finished, and epoxy coated on both sides for protection.  One side has the KDSM ribbon colors and the Korean Peninsula in the center in color ringed in dark blue enamel with the KDVA Emblem lettering in satin gold.  The other side is the KDSM Medallion in satin gold and ringed in dark blue enamel with the words "KOREA DEFENSE VETERANS TOOK THE HILL DECEMBER 2, 2002" and five stars representing the five service branches.
     The coin is being made by one of the finest coin producers who has created coins for the Joint Chiefs, the White House, many individual units within each of the service branches, corporate entities and schools.  They also provide coins to the Pentagon store.
     The coin will be available in individual plastic packages and velvet cases.  There will be a limited amount of the cased coins.  The prices will be established soon and will include the shipping and handling.  See graphics of the coin on the Quartermaster page.
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RETIREE MEDAL WEARING POLICY
Army Echoes Jan-Apr 07
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson recently urged veterans to show pride in their service by wearing their medals on Veterans Day.  He said he hoped this display of military decorations, which he called the "Veterans Pride Initiative," would become a traditional part of Veterans Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and other patriotic observances.  Guideline for wearing awards are found in Army Regulation 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, retired Soldiers which states, "… retired soldiers may wear all categories of medals (described in this regulation) on appropriate civilian clothing.  This includes clothes designed for veteran and patriotic organizations on Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Armed Forces Day, as well as at formal occasions of ceremony and social functions of a military nature.  Personnel may wear either full-size or miniature medals.  Personnel who wear medals on civilian clothes should place the medals on the clothing in approximately the same location and in the same manner as on the Army uniform, so they look similar to medals worn on the Army uniform."
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KOPITKE OUT OF BUSINESS IN NEBRASKA
Korean War Educator
     Kyle Kopitke faced the Nebraska court system on February 14, 2007, where judicial officials gave Korean War veterans and other veterans a wonderful Valentine's Day present. Kopitke was ordered to dissolve all of his "museums" in Nebraska , return all items to the original owners, and never operate another nonprofit in the State of Nebraska . Congratulations to the State of Nebraska for being the only state in the whole Kopitke mess that had enough fortitude and respect for veterans to lower the boom on the man the Nebraska Attorney General aptly called "a professional con artist."
     The KDVA was represented and did a presentation at the dedication of the Korean War Memorial and Museum in Nebraska in the fall of 2005 along with veterans from other organizations.         
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MILITARY AWARDS REVIEW
Defense Department
     The Department of Defense has begun a comprehensive review of military awards and decorations in order to ensure policies are consistent with the evolving nature of warfare. This comprehensive review will lead to an administrative revision of the Department of Defense Instruction 1348.33-M, the Manual of Military Decorations and Awards. A working group consisting of representatives from each Service, the Joint Staff and the Institute of Heraldry will form the core of the comprehensive review effort. This review is expected to continue over the next six to eight months and will involve but not be limited to the following:
   1. Honor and Valor awards with particular focus on clarity of criteria and processes.
   2. The “V” device and the Purple Heart medals in eliminating disparate qualification criteria among the military services.
   3. Expeditionary medals in regard to how the theatre of operations is defined.
   4. Iraqi and Afghanistan campaign medals with regard to subsequent awards of these campaign medals, with a goal of appropriately recognizing service over multiple tours in those theatres of operations.
     David Chu, under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness comments on the review were, “The evolving nature of warfare demands that we review policies; for example, in the case of expeditionary medals, we must review how we define the operating box - whether it is the theater of direct action, or whether is might extend far beyond” said. “For example, we must consider whether air support originating at great distances or different continents indeed represents expeditionary service for purposes of those awards … When it comes to valor awards, we must clarify criteria, including a review of boundaries that increasingly extend far beyond a particular combat zone, yet involve direct threats to American lives. [Source: DoD News Release Sep 06]
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AGENT ORANGE LAWSUITS UPDATE
Charles Davis, National Service Officer
   The Veterans Benefits Administration held a meeting 7 SEP to brief VSO/MSO organizations on their ongoing information security upgrades and improvements. They also brought the attendees up to date on VBA’s reaction to the recent Agent Orange (Haas v. Nicholson) decision by the Court of Appeals for Veterans Affairs.  This decision opens Agent Orange presumptive conditions to all personnel who were recipients of the Vietnam Service Medal and includes those personnel aboard ships and vessels who were off the coast and did not actually set foot “in-country.”  VBA is currently working with the Department of Justice to perfect their appeal of this decision.  They claim that if this decision is allowed to stand then VBA will have to hire an additional 230 full time employees to review approximately 500,000 cases. They also stated that they would expect approximately 86,000 new applications for the benefits and 14,000 DIC claims. It would also cost in excess of $3 billion, as many of the claims would be retroactive which would be very costly.
   The VBA will accept and acknowledge any new claims based upon the “Haas” decision with letters stating that they have received the claim but any decision on that particular issue will be delayed pending further instructions from VA Headquarters. Current guidance requires each RO to control these claims with a discreet control number (end product) for tracking and control purposes. VA will continue working on any new claims made that are from other medical issues. The briefer also stated that the Haas decision, if allowed, will totally paralyze VA and nothing else would get done. (NAUS Weekly)


If this is such a concern by VBA regarding Vietnam veterans, you know where it puts Korea veterans with Agent Orange concerns.  Once again, Korea Defense veterans are on the bottom of the pile.   All veterans who were stationed in Korea during 1968 and 1969 should go to their nearest Veteran's medical facility and be screened for agent orange.  During the Tet offensive and the Pueblo incident the US was using agent orange in Korea.  We believe the defoliant was used in Korea as early as 1962-1963.  Don't take no for an answer if you were in Korea during these years.
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DMZ RAILROAD ENGINE REMOVED FOR OVERHAUL
By Erik Slavin, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, November 22, 2006
 DEMILITARIZED ZONE, Korea — Han Jun-gi last operated the hulking, rusted locomotive sitting before him on Monday as a crewman on the Kyongui line in 1950. The engine hauled railcars from Seoul to Sinuiju , not far from what was the Korea-China border.  On June 25, 1950, the locomotive became the unofficial property of North Korea when an estimated 135,000 troops swarmed south, beginning the Korean War. It briefly fell back into allied hands before finding its resting place on tracks inside the demilitarized zone, where it has stood still for almost 56 years.  “It’s very sad to see this kind of history rot away in the DMZ,” said Han, 80. “But I’m very happy for what they are doing today.”  On Monday, a crane lifted the locomotive on to a flatbed truck and took it to Imjingak, where it will be spruced up in accordance with its standing as a South Korean national cultural property.  Workers will spend up to two years preserving what is left of the train, but they will not be restoring it to its original condition.  To do that they would probably have to replace most of the original material, which is heavily corroded after 56 winters of inactivity.  “We will use chemical techniques to maintain the locomotive as it is, to slow down corrosion,” said Jeong-seok, Cultural Heritage Administration spokesman. “This will preserve it for the next generation to see.”  The locomotive will be treated in a public glass enclosure at Imjingak, the Imjin River train station that now serves as a tourist park. Imjingak is only about a mile from the restricted access Tong-il “Unification” Bridge, which leads to Camp Bonifas and the United Nations Joint Security Agency.  The locomotive will then be returned to the DMZ, one bridge away from the final South Korean checkpoint and one mile from the military demarcation line that separates the two Koreas .  No decision has been made yet whether to return it in the glass enclosure, or to move only the locomotive, Jeong said.  The U.N. Military Armistice Commission oversaw the locomotive’s transfer out of the DMZ on Monday. The group, known by the U.S. military as UNCMAC, generally includes about 15 U.S. servicemembers who serve alongside other allied-nation servicemembers. As a part of UNCMAC, they do not carry weapons.
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KDVA NEW AND CURRENT RESOLUTIONS FY2006 (see details on Resolutions page)
Charles Pepin, Chief of Staff
   A resolution is being developed to make permanent all awards of the ROK Presidential Unit Citation to units of the 2nd ID given the award after 1965.
Resolution 024 Approved
AWARD THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES KILLED OR WOUNDED BY HOSTILE FORCES WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS
     A petition to the Defense Department for unrestricted and retroactive award of the Purple Heart Medal to any member of the armed services killed or wounded as a result of an act as noted in the resolution.
 Resolution 002 Amended and Approved
AWARD UNITED NATIONS KOREAN MEDAL TO U.S. FORCES IN KOREA  
     A petition to the U.S. JCS to request the United Nations to offer an extension of award of the United Nations Korean Medal for service in the Republic of Korea from 28 July 1954 to a date when U.S. Armed Forces no longer operate under the UN Command, and this petition further requests the United Nations to honor this request from the JCS to extend the eligibility for this award.
 Resolution 003 Amended and Approved
 ACCEPTANCE AND AUTHORIZATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA SERVICE MEDAL
     A petition to the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff to waive the regulation prohibiting the acceptance of the Republic of Korea Service Medal awarded to U.S. Armed Forces in 1972 because no U.S. medal was awarded for this service and the medal was not also awarded to military forces of their own nation.  Korea's more than half century deployment, surpassing the cold war era, is a highly unique circumstance and has been recognized as such by South Korea with this previous award.
Resolution 006 Amended and Approved
RETROACTIVE EXTENSION OF NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL TO 01 NOVEMBER 1955
     A petition to the Secretary of Defense for retroactive extension of eligibility for the National Defense Service Medal to 01 November 1955.
Resolution 012 Approved
AWARD NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL AUTOMATICALLY WHEN A CAMPAIGN/SERVICE MEDAL IS AUTHORIZED
     A petition to the Secretary of Defense for a revision of the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) regulations to remove time bound requirements and replace them with an automatic award when a campaign/service medal is awarded.
Resolution 021 Approved
AWARD THE ARMY COMBAT ACTION BADGE RETROACTIVELY


     A

petition to the Department of the Army to retroactively award the Combat Action Badge to every veteran that applies with required proof of personal presence and active engagement in hostile enemy action or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement, with eligibility date to 07 December 1941.
Resolution 022 Approved
AWARD A COLD WAR VICTORY MEDAL
     A petition to the Secretary of Defense to award a Cold War Victory Medal to all U.S. Armed Forces members who served between 02 September 1945 and 26 December 1991during the highly tense and volatile period marked with global conflict and arms escalation.
Resolution 046 Approved
AWARD ROKPUC TO ARMY 2ND INFANTRY DIVISION UNITS (KOREA 1965 – TBD)
    A petition to the Department of the Army and Joint Chiefs of Staff to grant a special dispensation, or make exemption, and authorize the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for permanent wear and inclusion in the permanent military records of members of units of the 2nd Infantry Division that were previously awarded this unit citation by the Republic of Korea.
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[ REMEMBER  YOUR  DUES  DUE DATE . . . CHECK YOU MEMBER CARD FOR DATE ]
PLEASE PAY YOUR DUES ON TIME
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KDVA SUPPORTED LEGISLATION
Dick Ruppert, National Legislation Officer 
H.R. 43, 04 Jan 05, Representative Filner (CA) - Amend title 46, United States Code, and title II of the Social Security Act to provide benefits to certain individuals who served in the United States Merchant Marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) during World War II.  This bill will provide monthly compensation to veterans that were denied the G.I. Bill of Rights due to Congressional political haggling.
S. 1272, 20 Jun 05, Senator Nelson (NE) -  Senate companion bill to H.R. 43 (text reads the same).
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H.R. 2369, 16 May 05, Representative Filner (CA) - Amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the Purple Heart to be awarded to prisoners of war who die in captivity under circumstances not otherwise establishing eligibility for the Purple Heart.
S. 2157, 21 Dec 05, Senator Boxer (CA) -  Senate companion bill to H.R. 2369 (text reads the same).
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S. 633, 16 Mar 05, Senator Johnson (SD) - To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of veterans who became disabled for life while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States .  KDVA Major project.
H.R.1951, 28 Apr 05, Representative Kelly (NY) - House companion bill to S. 633 (text reads the same).
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House and Senate bills can be viewed in their entirety on the Library of Congress web site in the Thomas Section.  (http://thomas.loc.gov)
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KDVA PROJECTS COMPLETED AND ONGOING
 Charles Pepin, Chief of Staff
     Over these past years the KDVA has been active promoting its petitions and in supporting initiatives by other veteran organizations as well as special interest and coalition groups on behalf of active forces and veterans from all eras.  The KDVA is very pleased that some of these projects were successful and that others are still ongoing.
     Initiatives that have been promoted and supported are:
1. Combat Action Award - Ongoing:  Create a Combat Action award for the Army and Air Force that is equivalent to the Navy/Marine Combat Action Ribbon.  This was a KDVA resolution that was also initiated by active Army leaders and personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq.  The Army created the Close Combat Badge (CCB)  that was rejected by both active forces and the KDVA.  The KDVA then petitioned the Department of the Army to change the award to fairly include all personnel engaged directly in a combat action regardless of one's military occupational specialty.  Army leaders made the same request.  The CCB was renamed the Combat Action Badge and regulations were rewritten to include all job specialties.  The KDVA continues to petition for a change to regulations to allow this award to me made retroactively to the date of the CIB.  After petitioning the Air Force to create a CAR, the petition was withdrawn when the AFESR and later the AFCAM were authorized.
2. Support the Concerned Veterans Communications Coalition - Complete:  We supported the CVCC in their effort to stop the Federal Communications Commission from allowing an increased charge to pre-paid phone Calling Cards used by our active military.  This increase would adversely affect military personnel financially that are currently deployed in the War on Terrorism.  The initiative was successful in killing this price increase.
3. Support the Combat Infantryman’s Association Petition - Ongoing:   We replied affirmatively to the CIA request that we support the project to award the Bronze Star Medal to personnel awarded the CIB during the Vietnam War as was done for WW II infantryman.  This project is ongoing.
4. USPS Purple Heart First Class Stamp - Complete:  The KDVA has petitioned USPS Postmaster, John E. Potter, to extend the use of the current Purple Heart stamp after the new USPS rates become effective 09 January 2006.  This is to support the petition by the Military Order of the Purple Heart.  This effort has been successful and this stamp continues to be issued.
5. FY2007 Independent Budget:  The KDVA joined with the AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the VFW as part of a united veteran advocacy community for the Department of Veterans Affairs.  As a comprehensive, authoritative policy document, The Independent Budget focuses on funding recommendations for veterans’ health care, benefits delivery, medical facilities construction, veterans’ cemeteries and other so-called discretionary programs that will be needed in the coming fiscal year. Congress is required by law to provide sufficient funds for compensation and pension payments and other mandatory spending.
6. State and Local veteran benefits for KDSM recipients - Ongoing:  We have ongoing projects in numerous states to provide the same benefits to KDSM recipients as are offered to veterans of other eras.
7. Veteran Commemoratives recognition - Complete:  A project to bring further recognition to Defense Vets equal to that given to veterans of other eras through the use of award jewelry.
8. KDVA Commemorative Coin - Complete:  A challenge coin commemorating the final and only act of respect for defense veterans by the Defense Department - The Korea Defense Service Medal.  Now available.
9. ROK and ROLLERS Biker Brotherhood - New: The Brotherhood was formed to bring member bikers together to ride for fun and for Korea veteran causes as well as issues affecting all veterans.
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GET YOUR OFFICIAL HAT TODAY
Quatermaster Exchange
     Let your community know you were proud to serve your country and that you are a proud member of the KDVA.  Wear your hat on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, the Fourth of July and on other occasions honoring active armed forces members and veterans.  The hat should be worn to all military funerals attended.
     The new lower price of $26.00 includes the two tone blue hat with red piping and light blue lettering plus your state name embroidered on the left side and the beautiful new embroidered KDVA emblem, KDVA initials and Detachment number on the right side.  Appropriate additional lettering can be added for an extra charge.  All Life Members placing orders get a Life Member Tab applied at no charge.  See the Quartermaster Exchange page for a photo and graphic of the hat.  
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IF YOU MOVED OR CHANGED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS BE SURE TO NOTIFY MEMBER SERVICES TO MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES.  PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR MEMBER NUMBER.

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