The National Defense Service Medal is authorized for the following time periods. The medal is awarded to anyone who served on active duty in the United States military during these periods.
27 June 1950 to 27 July 1954 for service during the Korean War
1 January 1961 to 14 August 1974 for service during the Vietnam War
2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995 for service during the Gulf War
11 September 2001 to a date to be announced for service during the War on Terrorism
Although the Congress authorized military action during those periods, they never passed a formal declaration of war, so these conflicts are referred to under the law as *Periods of National Emergency*. But if you served during the authorized period, you are considered to be a veteran of that war, regardless of where you served.
In addition to the NDSM, service members who actually served in theater are authorized to receive the Vietnam Service Medal. The Vietnam Service Medal is presented to any service member who served on temporary duty for more than thirty consecutive days, or sixty non-consecutive days, attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting ground operations or attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations in the Republic of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos within the defined combat zone (DoD 1348 C6.6.1.1.5. revised September 1996) between the dates of 15 November 1961 and 28 March 1973, and from 29 April 1975 to 30 April 1975.
Personnel who met the criteria for the VSM were also authorized to receive a campaign medal from the Republic of South Vietnam.