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Kokua Line
Question: The Star-Bulletin had an article about the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, provided to veterans of the Korean War. Does that mean people who served within that time or those physically in Korea? There is no telephone number here to check with. Are these medals for people in the national guard, reserves, air guard from 1950 or whatever? Can you please help? Korean War vets
qualify for medalAnswer: To qualify for the medal, U.S. military personnel must have served between June 25, 1950, when the war broke out, and July 27, 1953, when the armistice was signed; been on permanent assignment or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days during that period; and performed duty "within the territorial limits of Korea, in the waters immediately adjacent thereto or in aerial flight over Korea participating in actual combat operations or in support of combat operations."
This is according to the Department of Defense, which says the eligibility period and criteria were specified by the Republic of Korea.
The medals will be provided free to eligible veterans or surviving next of kin.
The Republic of Korea government decided to issue the medals to mark the 50th anniversary of the Korean War this year, in "tribute to the Korean War veterans for their historic endeavors to preserve freedom of the ROK and the free world," Republic of Korea Defense Minister Seong Tae Cho said in May.
The U.S. and Republic of Korea governments will be holding 50th anniversary celebrations now through 2003, and the medals may be applied for at any time during this period.
To apply, provide a copy of your discharge paper, known as a DD-214, or a corrected version of that document, a DD-215. National guard members must provide their equivalent service form, NGB Form 22.
The Air Force has been designated the lead agency to distribute the medals, so direct your questions or apply for the medal by contacting the Air Force Personnel Center, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (CST) at 1-800-558-1404, or the Awards and Decorations Section, 210-565-2432, or by writing to HQ AFPC/DPPPRA, 550 C Street West, Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78150-4714. Or check its Web site at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/awards
Q: I misplaced my DD-214 record of military service. Who can I write to to get a copy?
A: There are several ways to get a copy of a DD-214, which is your "report of separation from active duty." You must submit a SF 180 Request Pertaining to Military Records form, which you can obtain by:
Writing to the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100.
Auwe
On Sunday morning, July 16, the Tinman bikers disrupted traffic between Hawaii Kai and Kahala. Why was there nothing written about the bike riders, to warn motorists about their route or suggest alternate routes? Normally, events like the marathon give out information on their routes. -- Bob(The Star-Bulletin published a detailed description of the routes bikers and runners would be taking in that race on July 14.)
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com