United States Army Service Medals Page 2

United States Army Service Medals Page 2.

American Defense Service Medal

Established by order of the President on 28 Jun 1941, for service in the US Armed Forces for one year during the 'Limited Emergency' proclaimed by the President on 08 Sep 1939, or during the 'Unlimited Emergency' proclaimed by the President on 27 May 1941. The one year must have been between 08 Sep 1939 and 07 Dec 1941.

The Foreign Service Clasp may be worn to denote service overseas during this period;
a bronze service star on the service ribbon.

Designed and Sculpted by Lee Lawrie

Women's Army Corps Service Medal

Awarded to women for service in both the:

Women's Army Auxiliary Corps between 20 Jul 1942 to 31 Aug 1943
Women's Army Corps between 01 Sep 1943 to 02 Sep 1945

American Campaign Medal

For service in the US Armed Forces within the American Theater of Operations
from 07 Dec 1941 to 02 Mar 1946.

One bronze service star may be worn for each campaign:

Antisubmarine -- 7 Dec 1941-2 Sep 1945
Ground Combat -- 7 Dec 1941-2 Sep 1945
Air Combat -- 7 Dec 1941-2 Sep 1945

Ribbon colors decoded:

Background; blue represents the United States
Center Grouping; red/white/blue represents the United States
Left and Right Groupings; black/white represents Germany, red/whiterepresentsJapan

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

For service in the US Armed Forces within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations
from 07 Dec 1941 to 02 Mar 1946.

One bronze service star may be worn for each campaign;
one silver service star in lieu of five bronze:

Philippine Islands -- 7 Dec 1941-10 May 1942
Burma, 1942 -- 7 Dec 1941-26 May 1942
Central Pacific -- 7 Dec 1941-6 Dec 1943
East Indies -- 1 Jan-22 Jul 1942
India-Burma -- 2 Apr 1942-28 Jan 1945
Air Offensive, Japan -- 17 Apr 1942-2 Sep 1945
Aleutian Islands -- 3 Jun 1942-24 Aug 1943
China Defensive -- 4 Jul 1942-4 May 1945
Papua -- 23 Jul 1942-23 Jan 1943
Guadalcanal -- 7 Aug 1942-21 Feb 1943
New Guinea -- 24 Jan 1943-31 Dec 1944
Northern Solomons -- 22 Feb 1943-21 Nov 1944
Eastern Mandates -- 31 Jan-14 Jun 1944
Bismarck Archipelago -- 15 Dec 1943-27 Nov 1944
Western Pacific -- 15 Jun 1944-2 Sep 1945
Leyte -- 17 Oct 1944-1 Jul 1945
Luzon -- 15 Dec 1944-4 Jul 1945
Central Burma -- 29 Jan-15 Jul 1945
Southern Philippines -- 27 Feb-4 Jul 1945
Ryukyus -- 26 Mar-2 Jul 1945
China Offensive -- 5 May-2 Sep 1945

Ribbon colors decoded:

Background; yellow-orange represents the final setting of the sun (symbol of Japanese Imperialism)
Center Grouping; red/white/blue represents the United States
Left and Right Groupings; red/white represents Japan

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

For service in the US Armed Forces within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater
of Operations from 07 Dec 1941 to 08 Nov 1945.

One bronze service star may be worn for each campaign;
one silver service star in lieu of five bronze:

Egypt-Libya -- 11 Jun 1942-12 Feb 1943
Air Offensive, Europe -- 4 Jul 1942-5 Jun 1944
Algeria-French Morocco -- 8-11 Nov 1942
Tunisia -- 17 Nov 1942-13 May 1943
Sicily -- 9 Jul-17 Aug 1943
Naples-Foggia -- 18 Aug 1943-21 Jan 1944 (Air);
-- 9 Sep 1943-21 Jan 1944 (Ground)
Anzio -- 22 Jan-24 May 1944
Rome-Arno -- 22 Jan-9 Sep 1944
Normandy -- 6 Jun-24 Jul 1944
Northern France -- 25 Jul-14 Sep 1944
Southern France -- 15 Aug-14 Sep 1944
Northern Apennines -- 10 Sep 1944-4 Apr 1945
Rhineland -- 15 Sep 1944-21 Mar 1945
Ardennes-Alsace -- 16 Dec 1944-25 Jan 1945
Central Europe -- 22 Mar-11 May 1945
Po Valley -- 5 Apr-8 May 1945

Ribbon colors decoded:

Background; brown represents the sands of North Africa and the Middle East,
green represents the forests and fields of Europe
Center Grouping; red/white/blue represents the United States
Left Grouping; green/white/red represents Italy
Right Grouping; black/white represents Germany

*** Something else interesting about the previous three medals;
they were ingeniously designed for recognition
when photographed in black and white.

Victory Medal, World War II

Established by Congress on 09 Jul 1945, and awarded to members of the US Armed Forces
for service between 07 Dec 1941 and 31 Dec 1946.

Army of Occupation of Germany and Japan Medal

Established by the War Department in 1946 and awarded to members of the US Army
and Air Force for thirty days or more consecutive service in the Occupation Forces.

Occupation Zone limits:

Austria -- 09 May 1945-02 Jul 1955
Berlin -- 09 May 1945-02 Oct 1990
Germany -- 09 May 1945-02 Jul 1955
Italy -- 09 May 1945-15 Sep 1947
Japan -- 03 Sep 1945-27 Apr 1952
Korea -- 03 Sep 1945-29 Jun 1949

The Japan Clasp, the Germany Clasp, and the Berlin Airlift Device are all
authorized for wear on the suspension ribbon.

Medal for Humane Action

Awarded to personnel for service of at least 120 days during the period
26 Jun 1948 to 30 Sep 1949 within the boundaries of the Berlin Airlift operations
while participating in, or in direct support of, the Berlin Airlift.

National Defense Service Medal

Awarded for honorable active service of any length, during the national emergency, from:

27 Jun 1950 to 27 Jul 1954
01 Jan 1961 to 14 Aug 1974
02 Aug 1990 to 30 Nov 1995

Persons on active duty for reasons other than 'extended active duty' are not eligible.
Subsequent awards are designated by bronze service stars.

Korean Service Medal

Awarded to members of the US Armed Forces for service
in the Korean Theater of Operations from 30 Jun 1949 to 27 Jul 1954.

One bronze service star may be worn for each campaign;
one silver service star in lieu of five bronze:

UN Defensive -- 27 Jun-15 Sep 1950
UN Offensive -- 16 Sep-02 Nov 1950
CCF Intervention -- 03 Nov 1950-24 Jan 1951
First UN Counteroffensive -- 25 Jan-21 Apr 1951
CCF Spring Offensive -- 22 Apr-08 Jul 1951
UN Summer-Fall Offensive -- 09 Jul-27 Nov 1951
Second Korean Winter -- 28 Nov 1951-30 Apr 1952
Korea, Summer-Fall 1952 -- 01 May-30 Nov 1952
Third Korean Winter -- 01 Dec 1952-30 Apr 1953
Korea, Summer 1953 -- 01 May-27 Jul 1953

Antarctica Service Medal

Established by Congress on 07 Jul 1960, for service on the Antarctic Continent
or in support of US operatios there, subsequent to 01 Jan 1946.

Eligibility as follows:

US Armed Forces or civilians who participate in scientific direct support
or exploratory operations on the Continent
US Armed Forces aircraft crews flying to and from the Continent
US Armed Forces ship crews operating south of latitude 60° South Latitude,
in support of US operations in Antarctica

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Established by order of the President on 14 Dec 1961, for service in military operations
for which no other service or campaign medal has been authorized:

Lebenon -- 01 Jul 1958-01 Nov 1958
Vietnam -- 01 Jul 1958-03 Jul 1965
(AFEM earned for Vietnam service prior to 04 Jul 1965
may be exchanged for Vietnam Service Medal,
but may not revert back to AFEM)
Taiwan Straits -- 23 Aug 1958-01 Jan 1959
Quemoy and Matsu Islands -- 23 Aug 1958-01 Jun 1963
Congo -- 14 Jul 1960-01 Sep 1962
Laos -- 19 Apr 1961-07 Oct 1962
Berlin -- 14 Aug 1961-01 Jun 1963
Cuba -- 24 Oct 1962-01 Jun 1963
Congo -- 23 - 27 Nov 1964
Dominican Republic -- 28 Apr 1965-21 Sep 1966
Korea -- 01 Oct 1966-30 Jun 1974
Cambodia -- 29 Mar 1973-15 Aug 1973
Thailand -- 29 Mar 1973-15 Aug 1973
(Only in 'Direct Support' of Cambodia)
Operation EAGLE PULL [Cambodia] -- 11-13 Apr 1975
Operation FREQUENT WIND [Evacuation of Saigon] -- 29-30 Apr 1975
Mayaguez Operation -- 15 May 1975
El Salvador -- 01 Jan 1981-01 Feb 1992
Lebenon -- 01 Jun 1983-01 Dec 1987
Operation URGENT FURY [Grenada] -- 23 Oct 1983-21 Nov 1983
Operation ELDORADO CANYON [Libya] -- 12-17 Apr 1986
Operation ERNEST WILL [Persian Gulf] -- 24 Jul 1987-02 Aug 1990
Operation JUST CAUSE [Panama] -- 20 Dec 1989-31 Jan 1990
Operation RESTORE HOPE [Somalia] -- 05 Dec 1992-31 Mar 1995
Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY [Haiti] -- 10 Sep 1994-31 Mar 1995
Operation JOINT ENDEAVER [Former Yugoslavia] -- 20 Nov 1995-19 Dec 1996
(DoD approved in addition to the Armed Forces Service Medal)
Operation SOUTHERN WATCH [SW Asia] -- 01 Dec 1995-Date to be Anncd
Maritime Intercept Operations -- 01 Dec 1995-Date to be Anncd
Operation VIGILANT SENTINEL -- 01 Dec 1995-15 Feb 1997
INTRINSIC ACTION and IRIS GOLD --
01 Dec 1995-15 Feb 1997
31 Dec 1997-15 Jul 1998
11 Nov 1998-22 Dec 1998
Operation JOINT GUARD [Former Yugoslavia] -- 20 Dec 1996-20 Jun 1998
(DoD approved in addition to the Armed Forces Service Medal)
Operation NORTHERN WATCH [SW Asia] -- 01 Jan 1997-Date to be Anncd
Operation DESERT THUNDER -- 11 Nov 1998-22 Dec 1998
Operation DESERT FOX -- 16 Dec 1998-22 Dec 1998
Operation JOINT FORGE -- 21 Jun 1998-Date to be Anncd
(Deployed in the countries of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia,
aboard US Naval vessels in the Adriatic Sea, and their air space)
(See Armed Forces Service Medal below)
Operation DESERT SPRING -- 31 Dec 1998-Date to be Anncd

Subsequent awards are designated by bronze service stars;
one silver service star in lieu of five bronze.

Vietnam Service Medal

Established by order of the President on 01 Oct 1965, for service in Vietnam
and contiguous waters or airspace after 03 Jul 1965 and through 28 Mar 1973.
Service in direct support of Vietnam from Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia is also eligible.

One bronze service star may be worn for each campaign;
one silver service star in lieu of five bronze:

Advisory -- 15 Mar 1962-07 Mar 1965
Defense -- 08 Mar 1965-24 Dec 1965
Counteroffensive -- 25 Dec 1965-30 Jun 1966
Counteroffensive, Phase II -- 01 Jul 1966-31 May 1967
Counteroffensive, Phase III -- 01 Jun 1967-29 Jan 1968
Tet Counterofensive -- 30 Jan 1968-01 Apr 1968
Counteroffensive, Phase IV -- 02 Apr 1968-30 Jun 1968
Counteroffensive, Phase V -- 01 Jul 1968-01 Nov 1968
Counteroffensive, Phase VI -- 02 Nov 1968-22 Feb 1969
Tet 69 Counteroffensive -- 23 Feb 1969-08 Jun 1969
Summer-Fall 1969 -- 09 Jun 1969-31 Oct 1969
Winter-Spring 1970 -- 01 Nov 69-30 Apr 1970
Sanctuary Counteroffensive -- 01 May 1970-30 Jun 1970
Counteroffensive, Phase VII -- 01 Jul 1970-30 Jun 1971
Consolidation I -- 01 Jul 1971-30 Nov 1971
Consolidation II -- 01 Dec 1971-29 Mar 1972
Cease-Fire -- 30 Mar 1972-28 Jan 1973

Southwest Asia Service Medal

Established by order of the President on 13 MAR 1991,
awarded to US Armed Forces personnel who served in the Persian Gulf area
from 02 AUG 1990 to 30 NOV 1995;

Service stars awarded for the following campaigns:

Defense of Saudi Arabia -- 2 Aug 1990-16 Jan 1991
Liberation of Kuwait -- 17 Jan 1991-11 Apr 1991
Southwest Asia Cease-Fire -- 12 Apr 1991-30 Nov 1995

Kosovo Campaign Medal

Established by order of the President on 3 MAY 2000,
awarded to US Armed Forces personnel who served in direct support of Kosovo operation(s):

Allied Force--24 MAR 1999-10 JUN 1999
Joint Guardian--11 JUN 1999-To Be Anncd
Allied Harbour--04 APR 1999-01 SEP 1999
Sustain Hope/Shining Hope--04 ARP 1999-10 JUL 1999)
Noble Anvil--24 MAR 1999-20 JUL 1999

Kosovo task force(s):

Hawk--05 APR 1999-24 JUN 1999
Saber--31 MAR 1999-08 JUL 1999
Falcon--11 JUN 1999-To Be Anncd, Coincides With Joint Guardian
Hunter--01 APR 1999-01 NOV 1999

Within the following Kosovo Air Campaign or Kosovo Defense Campaign AOE:

(A) Kosovo Air Campaign (24 March 1999 through 10 June 1999)
AOE: The total land area and air space of Serbia (Including Kosovo), Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy and Slovenia; and the waters and air space of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea north of the 39th North Latitude.

(B) Kosovo Defense Campaign (11 June 1999-TBA)
AOE: The total land area and air space of Serbia (Including Kosovo), Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, and the waters and air space of the Adriatic Seas within 12 nautical miles of the Montenegro, Albania, and Croatia coastlines south of 42 degrees and 52 minutes North Latitude.

SERVICE MEMBERS MUST BE BONAFIDE MEMBERS OF A UNIT PARTICIPATING IN OR BE ENGAGED IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF THE OPERATION FOR 30 CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN THE AOE OR FOR 60 NONCONSECUTIVE DAYS PROVIDED THIS SUPPORT INVOLVES ENTERING THE OPERATIONS AOE OR MEET ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

(A) BE ENGAGED IN ACTUAL COMBAT, OR DUTY THAT IS EQUALLY AS HAZARDOUS AS COMBAT DUTY, DURING THE OPERATION WITH ARMED OPPOSITION, REGARDLESS OF TIME IN THE AOE.

(B) WHILE PARTICIPATING IN THE OPERATION, REGARDLESS OF TIME, IS WOUNDED OR INJURED AND REQUIRES MEDICAL EVACUATION FROM THE AOE.

(C) WHILE PARTICIPATING AS REGULARLY ASSIGNED AIRCREW MEMBER FLYING SORTIES INTO, OUT OF, WITHIN, OR OVER THE AOE IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF THE MILITARY OPERATIONS.

THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE APPROVED AWARD OF THE KCM TO THE FOLLOWING NAVY VESSELS AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE 30 CONSECUTIVE DAYS WITHIN THE KOSOVO AIR CAMPAIGN AOE CRITERIA:

USS NORFOLK
USS MIAMI
USS BOSE
USS ALBURQUERQUE
USS NICHOLSON
USS PHILIPPINE SEA
USS GONZALEZ

One bronze service star shall be worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the Kosovo Campaign Medal for qualified participation during campaigns (I.E., an individual who participated in one campaign would wear one star). Meeting qualifications in each of the 2 campaigns would warrant two bronze service stars. However, if an individual's 30 or 60 days began in one campaign and carried over into the second campaign, they would only qualify for one service star.

Armed Forces Service Medal

Authorized by order of the President on 11 JAN 1996.
Awarded to members of the US Armed Forces who participate as members of units
involved in military operations with no foreign, armed opposition or threat of hostile action.

(This medal is intended to meet the void in the criteria between the AFEM and the HSM.)

Eligibility requirements include:

Service as a member of a unit participating for one or more days in the operation with the designated area of eligibility, or
Be engaged in direct support for 30 consecutive days in the area of eligibility (or for the full period when an operation is less than 30 days duration) or for 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involves entering the area of eligibility, or
Participate as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in support of the operation.

Approved Operations include:

Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR [Former Yugoslavia] -- 01 Jun 1992-19 Dec 1996
(DoD approved in addition to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal)
UN Mission in Haiti -- 01 Apr 1995-15 Apr 1996
US Forces-Haiti -- 16 Apr 1995-29 Feb 1996
Operation PROVIDE COMFORT [Northern Iraq and Turkey] --
01 Dec 1995-31 Dec 1996
US Support Group-Haiti -- 01 Mar 1996-Date to be Anncd
Operation JOINT GUARD [Former Yugoslavia] -- 20 Dec 1996-20 Jun 1998
(DoD approved in addition to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal)
Operation JOINT FORGE -- 21 Jun 1998-Date to be Anncd
(Deployed in the countries of Slovenia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, and Hungary; and their air space)
(See Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal above)

Humanitarian Service Medal

This medal was established on 01 APR 1975, to honor personnel of the US Armed Forces
who have rendered service to mankind.

One bronze service star is worn for second and susequent awards;
one silver service star in lieu of five bronze.

* List of DA approved operations.

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

Established by the President on 9 JAN 1993.
Awarded to members of the US Armed Forces, who subsequent to 31 DEC 1992, perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct, and consequential nature.

Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Established by Congress on 25 Sep 1950, for ten years of honorable and satisfactory service
in the Reserve Components of the US Organized Reserve Corps, Army of the United States, and
Officers Reserve Corps within a twelve year period; or for service of at least one day of active duty
in support of a contingency operation on or after 01 Aug 1990.

The bronze Hourglass Device and the bronze Mobilization "M" Device with bronze Arabic Numerals
are all authorized for wear on the suspension and service ribbons.