The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal - Obverse.

Time Period: Post-WW2
Institution: 12 March 2003
Country: United States

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:

Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF): This operation encompasses military operations in Afghanistan and other locations to combat terrorism and support the Afghan government.
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF): This operation involved military operations in Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein’s regime and combat insurgency.
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.
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR): This ongoing operation involves military operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria.
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel: This operation involves the continued U.S. military presence in Afghanistan to support Afghan security forces and counter terrorism.

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.

Buy a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

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: