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Category: United States

The Achievement Medal – Coast Guard

The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the  Armed Forces for the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel

The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal. Award authority rests with local commanders, granting a broad discretion of when and for what action the Achievement Medal may be awarded.

Each military service issues its own version of the Achievement Medal, with a fifth version authorized by the U.S. Department of Defense for joint military activity. The United States Coast Guard created its own Achievement Medal in 1967.

The Achievement Medal Design

The following devices may be authorized to be worn on the following achievement medals suspension ribbon and service ribbon:

  • All Achievement Medals, “C” device, which signifies meritorious performance “under combat conditions”, after January 2016
  • Army Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Air Force Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
  • Joint Service Achievement Medal (all service branches), for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Operational Distinguishing Device (“O” device)
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Combat Distinguishing Device (Combat “V”)

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The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (USA)

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is a military decoration awarded to any members who performed duty within the borders of Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (or ACM) is a military award of the United States military created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and became available for general distribution in June 2005. The medal is retroactive to October 24, 2001, and is active until a date to be determined. 

The medal is awarded to any member of the United States military who has performed duty within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days.

Personnel who have been engaged in combat with an enemy force, or personnel who have been wounded in combat within Afghanistan, may receive the ACM regardless of the number of days spent within the country. The medal is also awarded posthumously to any service member who dies in the line of duty within Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries such as accidents and mishaps.

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal Design

The medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is bronze in appearance and measures 1 1⁄4 inches in diameter. It depicts above a range of mountains a map of Afghanistan. Around the top is the inscription “AFGHANISTAN CAMPAIGN.”

On the reverse, a radiating demi-sun superimposed by an eagle’s head couped. Inscribed across the bottom half of the reserve side are the three lines “FOR SERVICE IN AFGHANISTAN“, enclosed by a laurel wreath.

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The Iraq Campaign Medal (USA)

The Iraq Campaign Medal is a military award of the Armed Forces awarded during the Iraq War, from 29 November 2004 to 31 December 2011.

The Iraq Campaign Medal (or ICM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was created by Executive Order 13363 of U.S. President George W. Bush on 29 November 2004, and became available for general distribution in June 2005.

The Iraq Campaign Medal was awarded to any member of the U.S. military who performed duty within the borders of Iraq (or its territorial waters) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days. The medal was also awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within Iraq, including from non-combat injuries such as accidents and mishaps.

The Iraq Campaign Medal replaced the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) for service in Iraq from 19 March 2003, through 30 April 2005.

The Iraq Campaign Medal Design

The medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is bronze in appearance, 1 1⁄4 inches (32mm) in diameter.

The obverse depicts a north-oriented relief of the map of Iraq, surmounted by two lines representing the Tigris and Euphrates rivers throughout, superimposed over a palm wreath. Above is the inscription “IRAQ CAMPAIGN.” On the reverse, the Statue of Freedom surmounts a sunburst, encircled by two scimitars pointing down with the blades crossing at the tips. Below is the inscription “FOR SERVICE IN IRAQ.”

The medal is suspended from a ribbon 1 3⁄8 inches (34.9 mm) wide. The stripes of the ribbon invoke the colors of the Iraqi flag and are: 5⁄32 inch scarlet at the edges, followed by 1⁄16 inch white, 1⁄32 inch green, and 1⁄16 inch white. The white is separated by a 5⁄32 inch black with a 7⁄16 inch stripe in chamois in the center.

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The National Defense Service Medal

The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces created by President Eisenhower in 1953. 

The National Defense Service Medal (or NDSM) is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. Currently, the National Defense Service Medal is the oldest service medal (as opposed to decorations for particular achievements) currently awarded by all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

It was first intended to be a “blanket campaign medal” awarded to service members who served honorably during a designated time period of which a “national emergency” had been declared during a time of war or conflict. It may also be issued to active military members for any other period that the Secretary of Defense designates. While no document is known which explains the rationale for the award, it was apparently established to recognize all service members who served during the Korean War to include those who did not serve in the war zone.

To date, the NDSM has been awarded for four specific time periods, which roughly correspond to the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf War eras as well as the Global War on Terrorism. As the NDSM has been awarded to all military personnel during four wartime periods, it has millions of recipients and is probably the most widely awarded medal in the history of the United States military, with the possible exception of World War II Victory Medal.

The National Defense Service Medal Design

The obverse of the medal shows a North American bald eagle, perched on a sword and palm. Above this, in a semicircle, is the inscription “National Defense“. The reverse shows a shield, taken from the coat of arms of the United States; it is half encircled below with an open wreath, the right side of oak leaves and laurel leaves the left.

The ribbon has a wide yellow stripe in the center, flanked by narrow stripes of red, white, blue, white and wide red stripes.

How Do You Request a National Defense Service Medal?

If you are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) and need to request a replacement or a new one, you can typically do so through the appropriate military branch’s records office or the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

You can submit your request through various means, including mail, fax, email, or online, depending on the specific requirements of the records office you are dealing with.

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Other Service Medals

A service medal is a type of military decoration awarded to members of the armed forces, government employees, and, in some cases, civilians in recognition of their service, participation in specific military campaigns, or the fulfillment of certain criteria. Here are related to this one:

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (or GWOT-EM) is a United States Armed Forces award created by George W. Bush on 12 March 2003

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (or GWOT-EM) is a United States Armed Forces award created by George W. Bush on 12 March 2003, to recognize those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from 11 September 2001 to a date to be determined.

To be awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal a military service member must perform duty in a deployed status and must participate in designated anti-terrorism operation for a period of either 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty. For those who were engaged in combat, killed, or wounded in the line of duty (for example, those injured and requiring medical evacuation), the time requirement is waived.

Prior to 30 April 2005, the medal was awarded for service within Iraq and Afghanistan, but has been replaced with the Iraq Campaign Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal and now serves primarily as recognition for personnel who have deployed in support of the War on Terror to locations beyond Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Medal Service Stars

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal may be awarded with service stars denoting subsequent awards of the medal. Each service star represents a subsequent deployment or campaign for which the medal was awarded.

These stars are typically worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal to indicate multiple awards of the GWOT-EM. Service members who have been deployed to multiple qualifying areas or campaigns in support of the Global War on Terrorism may receive additional service stars to recognize each deployment or campaign.

The Medal Operations

Some of the major approved operations and campaigns that qualify for the GWOT-EM include:

  1. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF): This operation encompasses military operations in Afghanistan and other locations to combat terrorism and support the Afghan government.

  2. Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF): This operation involved military operations in Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein’s regime and combat insurgency.

  3. Operation New Dawn: This operation succeeded Operation Iraqi Freedom and focused on supporting the Iraqi government and security forces after the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops.

  4. Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR): This ongoing operation involves military operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria.

  5. Operation Freedom’s Sentinel: This operation involves the continued U.S. military presence in Afghanistan to support Afghan security forces and counter terrorism.

A U.S. Army crew chief with 17th Cavalry Regiment surveys the area over Jalalabad, Afghanistan.
A U.S. Army crew chief with 17th Cavalry Regiment surveys the area over Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Design

The medal was designed by John Sproston of the Army’s Institute of Heraldry. The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal may be awarded with the devices:

  • Arrowhead device – For qualified Army and Air Force service members.
  • Service stars – effective 9 February 2015, to recognize individual participation in each of the approved operations that a service member participates in, a 3⁄16 inch bronze service star is worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal, with a 3⁄16 inch silver star being worn in lieu of five bronze stars.
  • Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia – for qualified Navy service members such as hospital corpsmen assigned to Marine Corps units that participate in combat during the assignment.

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Other Service Medals

A service medal is a type of military decoration awarded to members of the armed forces, government employees, and, in some cases, civilians in recognition of their service, participation in specific military campaigns, or the fulfillment of certain criteria. Here are related to this one:

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the U.S Armed Forces created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy. 

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (or AFEM) is a military award of the United States Armed Force created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy. The medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participated in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations (UN), or U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations.

Since its original conception in 1961, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal has been awarded for United States participation in over forty-five designated military campaigns. The first was the Cuban Missile Crisis (military service between October 1962 and June 1963.) The AFEM was made retroactive to 1958 and issued for actions in Lebanon, Taiwan, Republic of the Congo, Quemoy and Matsu, and for duty in Berlin between 1961 and 1963. 

During the early years of the Vietnam War, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was issued for initial operations in South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. In 1965, with the creation of the Vietnam Service Medal, the AFEM was discontinued for Vietnam War service. 

In 2003, with the creation of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the AFEM was discontinued for Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Operations

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is awarded for participation in U.S. military operations that are designated as “expeditionary” in nature. Some of the operations for which the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal may be awarded include:

  1. Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada)
  2. Operation Just Cause (Panama)
  3. Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm (Gulf War)
  4. Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti)
  5. Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo)
  6. Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
  7. Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq)
  8. Operation Odyssey Dawn (Libya)

It’s worth mentioning that, while Operation Southern Watch was not explicitly designated as an expeditionary operation, service members who participated in the operation may have been eligible for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) if they met the criteria outlined by the Department of Defense.

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Design

The medal is issued as a bronze medal, 1-1/4 inches in diameter. The obverse consists of an eagle, with wings addorsed and inverted (representing the strength of the United States Armed Forces), standing on a sword loosened in its scabbard, and superimposed on a radiant compass rose of eight points, (representing the readiness to serve wherever needed) all within the circumscription “ARMED FORCES” above and “EXPEDITIONARY SERVICE” below with a sprig of laurel on each side.

On the reverse side of the medal is the shield from the United States Coat of Arms above two laurel branches separated by a bullet, all within the circumscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA“.

The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/32 inch Green; 3/32 inch Golden Yellow ; 3/32 inch Spicebrown ; 3/32 inch Black ; 7/32 inch Bluebird ; 1/16 inch Ultramarine Blue ; 1/16 inch White ; 1/16 inch Scarlet; 7/32 inch Bluebird; 3/32 inch Black; 3/32 inch Spicebrown; 3/32 inch Golden Yellow; and 3/32 inch Green.

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Other Service Medals

A service medal is a type of military decoration awarded to members of the armed forces, government employees, and, in some cases, civilians in recognition of their service, participation in specific military campaigns, or the fulfillment of certain criteria. Here are related to this one:

The Vietnam Service Medal

Authorized by executive order in 1965, the Vietnam Service Medal is a U.S. medal to honor service members who served in SE Asia.

Authorized by executive order in 1965, the Vietnam Service Medal is a U.S. medal to honor service members who served in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and/or Thailand from 1965 to 1973 for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days. It was established on 8 July 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson.

For those who participated in campaigns like the Tet counteroffensive in 1968 and the air offensive phases from 1966 to 1969, bronze stars on mounted on the ribbon for participation.

South Vietnam also issued its own service medal for the Vietnam War, known as the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. This is a separate military award which was accepted by the U.S. Congress and the U.S. military in accordance with DoD 1348 C7. Six months of service in support of South Vietnamese military operations was the general U.S. requirement for the award.

The Vietnam Service Medal Design

The distinctive design has been attributed to both sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry and Mercedes Lee who created the design.

The medal is rounded and bronze shaped and measures 1 1⁄4 inches in diameter. The obverse consists of a figure of an oriental dragon (representing the subversive nature of the conflict) behind a grove of bamboo trees located above the inscription “REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM SERVICE“. On the reverse, a crossbow (representing the ancient weapon of Vietnam) facing upwards with a ready to be fired lighted torch of the Statue of Liberty, above an arched inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA“.

The colors of the ribbon are green, yellow, and red, which represents the flag of the Republic of Vietnam at the time—yellow with red stripes running horizontally—and the green Vietnamese jungles. In addition, the three red stripes indicate the three ancient empires of Vietnam Tonkin, Annam, and Cochin China.

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The Davis Guard Medal

The Davis Guard Medal is a military decoration bestowed by the State of Texas for the victory at the Second Battle of Sabine Pass.

The Davis Guard Medal is a military decoration bestowed by the State of Texas to the members of F Battery, 1st Texas Heavy Artillery Regiment, for the victory at the Second Battle of Sabine Pass. Some consider it to be the only medal issued by the Confederate States of America during the war.

The award was funded by a collection from Houston citizens. It was presented as a one-time award to exactly 50 men. In addition to the 49 members of the battery, the award was also presented to Jefferson Davis as the unit’s honorary commander. President Davis had his medal on him at the time of his capture in May 1865, but it was stolen by a Union soldier. A replacement was given him by three veterans in 1875.

The Davis Guard Medal Design

The medal consisted of a silver Mexican coin polished smooth with the letters “DG” on the front above a cross pattee. The reverse bore the inscription “Sabine Pass Sept. 23, 1864” in cursive script.

The medal hung from a green ribbon, in honor of the Irish origins of the unit’s members. The 50 recipients of the Davis Guard Medal were also listed on the Confederate Roll of Honor.

The Prisoner of War Medal (USA)

The Prisoner of War Medal is a military award authorized by Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on 8 November 1985.

The Prisoner of War Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that was authorized by Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on 8 November 1985. It is awarded to any person who was taken prisoner or held captive while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing Armed Force; or while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The Prisoner of War Medal may be awarded to any person who was a prisoner of war after April 5, 1917 (the date of the United States’ entry into World War I was April 6). The person’s conduct, while in captivity, must have been honorable. This medal may be awarded posthumously to the surviving next of kin of the recipient. 

Due to a provision in the FY1996 National Defense Authorization Act, service secretaries are required to award the Purple Heart to any POW Medal recipients wounded in captivity. The law specified that “[a] person shall be considered to be a former prisoner of war for purposes of this section if the person is eligible for the prisoner-of-war medal under section 1128 of title 10, United States Code.”

The Prisoner of War Medal Design

The medal was designed by Jay C. Morris of the United States Army Institute of Heraldry. The activities of the institute encompass research, design, development, standardization, quality control, and other services relating to official symbolic items—seals, decorations, medals, insignia, badges, flags, and other items awarded to or authorized for official wear or display by government personnel and agencies. Limited research and information services concerning official symbolic items are also provided to the general public. The Institute of Heraldry is located at Fort Belvoir, a military installation within the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C. The staff consists of thirty-two civilians.

No more than one Prisoner of War Medal may be awarded. For any subsequent award of the medal, service stars will be awarded and worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal.

The Coast Guard Commendation Medal

The Coast Guard Commendation Medal is a United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service.

The Coast Guard Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration that is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service within the Coast Gard forces. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces has its own version of this medal, with a fifth version existing for acts of joint military service performed under the Department of Defense.

The U.S. Coast Guard awards a separate Coast Guard Commendation Medal, with a ribbon similar in design to that of its Navy and Marine Corps counterparts. This was initially established as the Coast Guard Commendation Ribbon in 1947, and redesignated as the Coast Guard Commendation Medal in 1959. 

The Coast Guard Commendation Medal Design

The Commendation Medal was originally only a service ribbon awarded by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard (this was around 1943). In 1949, the Navy, Coast Guard, and Army Commendation ribbons were renamed the “Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant” and by 1960, the ribbons were authorized as full medals.

The Coast Guard Commendation Medal is gold with silver 5/16 inch stars to denote additional awards. 

Other Commendation Medals

The different versions of the Commendation Medal in the United States military are typically associated with specific branches of service. While the criteria for receiving the Commendation Medal remain similar across branches, the designs may vary to reflect the unique identity and traditions of each service.

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