Korean War Veterans Association Membership Requirements:

If you have EVER honorably served in Korea as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces September 3, 1945 to Present, or served outside of Korea June 25, 1950 to Jan. 31, 1955, you qualify to be a Regular Member of the Korean War Veterans Association, Inc.

Membership in the KWVA consists of Regular Members, Associate Members and Honorary Members. No person is excluded from membership because of race, color, creed, sex, national or ethnic origin, or physical or mental disability, so long as the individual meets the service requirements.

Regular Members

• Service in the United States Armed Forces
  Any person who has seen honorable service in any of the Armed Forces of the United States, defined as Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, is eligible for membership if:
  – Said service was within Korea including territorial waters and airspace at any time, September 3, 1945 to Present
  OR
  – Said service was outside of Korea, June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955.
  OR
  – Said service was as a member of the Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) any time September 3, 1945 to Present, who has become a citizen of the United States of America.
• Medal of Honor: Any person qualifying to be a Regular Member, who is a Medal of Honor recipient, is eligible for free life membership. A signed statement of their eligibility for membership must be provided for approval.
• Prisoner of War: Any person qualifying to be a Regular Member and was held as a prisoner of war by the North Koreans, Chinese, or Russian forces during and after the period of hostilities from June 25, 1950 forward, is eligible for free life membership. A signed statement of their eligibility for membership must be provided for approval.

Associate Members

• Must not be eligible for Regular membership.
• Any person with a legitimate interest in the affairs of this Association and who wishes to support its aims, and not being eligible for Regular Membership; and who agrees to accept the terms and conditions set forth in the KWVA Charter and its Bylaws and Standard Procedure Manual (hereinafter referred to as SPM), shall be eligible for Associate Membership in the Association. A signed statement of their eligibility for membership must be provided for approval.

Gold Star Parents

•  Any person whose son/daughter was killed in action, or was missing in action, or died as a prisoner of war while serving within Korea including territorial waters around and airspace above during the Korean War (June 25, 1950 to the present) is eligible for free life membership. A signed statement of their eligibility for membership must be provided for approval.

Gold Star Spouses

• Any person whose spouse was killed in action, or was missing in action, or died as a prisoner of war while serving within Korea including territorial waters around and airspace above during the Korean War (June 25, 1950 to the present) is eligible for free life membership. A signed statement of their eligibility for membership must be provided for approval.

Honorary Members

• Honorary Members: Any person of good character may be elected as Honorary Member by vote by the Board of Directors.

Ineligible

• Any person who has been separated from the service of the Armed Forces of the United States under conditions other than honorable shall be ineligible for membership in this Association.