Netherlands, Kingdom. A Cross For Freedom And Justice For The Korean War

(Kruis voor Vrijheid en Rechtvaardigheid voor de Koreaanse Oorlog). Instituted in 1951. In silvered bronze, measuring 40.5 mm (w) x 47 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, silvered bronze wreathed sword clasp inscribed "KOREA 1950" affixed to its original court-mounted ribbon, soiled fabric label sewn in place on the reverse and maker marked "KONINKLUKE BEGEER VOORSCHOTEN", scattered silvering wear and contact marks on both the cross and clasp, better than very fine.

Footnote: The Cross for Freedom and Justice was instituted on July 23, 1951, to be awarded to members of the N.D.V.N (Nederlands Detachement Verenigde Naties = Netherlands Detachment United Nations), being the Dutch contingent of United Nations forces in Korea. The N.D.V.N. was established on October 15, 1950 and an advance party of Dutch soldiers arrived in Korea from Malaya on October 24, 1950, the first of twenty-six contingents from the Netherlands arriving in early December. A total of 3,972 Dutch soldiers served in Korea, the last unit returning to the Netherlands at the end of 1954. In addition, 1,360 members of the Royal Netherlands Navy served in Korean waters aboard the destroyers Evertsen, van Galen and Piet Heim and the frigates Johan Maurits van Nassau, Dubois and van Zijll. In all, only approximately 4,000 awards were made. Although originally awarded for service in the Korean War (1950-1953), since July 23, 2002, it may be awarded for service in military operations in the interests of the Kingdom.