United Nations operations in Korea commemorative medal The United Nations operations in Korea commemorative medal ( ) was a French commemorative war medal established on 8 January 1952 by decree 52 - 34 for award to members of the French armed forces who fought in the Korean war . On 25 June 1950 , North Korean forces invaded South Korea in an effort to unify both countries under the northern communist government . A United Nations military force composed of seventeen nations under the command of American general Douglas MacArthur , soon began to arrive in theatre . France joined the U . N . forces in a 23 August decision , this force , composed of a battalion of 1 , 051 volunteers , both reservists and members of the regular force from the three services , set sail from Marseille on 25 October 1950 . This battalion was under the command of general Raoul Magrin - Vernerey , who accepted a temporary demotion to lieutenant - colonel for the chance and honour to command this unit in Korea . The French were thrown into the fight immediately upon arrival in theatre and particularly distinguished themselves at the battles of Wonju , Chipyong - ni and Heartbreak Ridge . Out of a total of 3 , 421 Frenchmen who fought in Korea , 262 were killed , 1008 were wounded and 7 remain unaccounted for . Even with its relatively small contribution in manpower due to the ongoing campaign in Indochina , the French government felt this small force had brilliantly served French interests in the eyes of the World and in the words of a press release " had resurrected the glory of Verdun and of the Marne " . Award statute . The United Nations operations in Korea commemorative medal was awarded to soldiers of the French United Nations detachment in Korea and to naval personnel for a minimum of two months in theatre . The two month in theatre minimum time period could be waived for members cited to the War Cross for foreign operational theaters ( ) or for those evacuated due to wounds received during operations in theatre . The medal could also be awarded to foreign nationals who served under French command . In this case , permission to award the medal was required from the soldier ' s country of origin through normal diplomatic channels . Quite exceptionally , in line with the instructions contained in paragraph IV of the decree of 12 February 1952 , this medal was bestowed freely with its accompanying certificate , at no cost to the recipients . Award description . The United Nations operations in Korea commemorative medal was a 36mm in diameter circular medal struck from bronze . Its obverse bore on a background of sun rays radiating out from its center , the relief image of the national emblem of the Republic of South Korea on a flower - like eight lobe geometric form superimposed over a lit torch with its flame extending 7mm over the medal ' s upper edge and forming the suspension loop . The torch also bisected a relief laurel wreath extending along all but the upper most of the medal ' s circumference . The straight ribbon mount was adorned with a bronze decoration resembling the top of a pagoda . The medal ' s reverse bore the relief inscription on seven lines " MÉDAILLE " " COMMÉMORATIVE " " FRANÇAISE " " DES OPÉRATIONS " " DE L ' ORGANISATION " " DES NATIONS UNIES " " EN CORÉE " ( ) surrounded by the relief circular inscription " RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE " ( ) . The medal hung from a 36mm wide silk moiré ribbon in the colours of the United Nations and France . It ' s multicoloured vertical stripes were disposed as follows beginning with three central equal width light blue , white and light blue stripes totalling 20mm , these were bordered by three equal width dark blue , white and red stripes totalling 8mm , the dark blue being closer the ribbon ' s edge .