Defense Department Introduces Global War on Terrorism Medals

American Forces Press Service ^ | Feb. 26, 2004 | Defense Officials

[Calpernia]

Military members serving at home and abroad in the war on terrorism will now be recognized for that service. Defense officials announced today the final approval of two new medals and their criteria.

Individuals who have deployed to operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom will be awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal will be awarded to those who served in airport security operations in the United States following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks or who supported operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle or Iraqi Freedom.

"These medals recognize the significant contributions members of the armed forces bring to bear in combating terrorism in all forms throughout the world -- for both current and future operations," stated a DoD news release.

Individuals can receive both medals if they meet the individual criteria, officials said.

To be awarded the expeditionary medal, individuals must have been deployed outside the United States for OEF or OIF for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. The time requirement is not needed if the individual engaged in combat, was wounded or killed in action, or was medically evacuated for any reason, officials said.

The area of eligibility encompasses the U.S. Central Command area, excluding the lower Horn of Africa; Middle East; eastern Turkey; Philippines; Diego Garcia; and all air spaces above the land and adjacent water areas, according to the release.

Each day aircrew members fly sorties into designated areas counts as one day of deployment toward the 30- or 60-day requirement.

Individuals engaged in actual combat may be eligible for battle stars on the expeditionary medal. Only a combatant commander can initiate a request for a battle star, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the approving authority for them, the release states.

Personnel eligible to receive the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal must have participated or support operations on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Service medal eligibility dates run from Sept. 27, 2001, until May 31, 2002, for individuals who served in airport security operations.

The same 30- or 60-day requirements apply to the service medal as to the expeditionary medal.

"Each military department will prescribe appropriate regulations for processing awarding and wearing of the medals and ribbons for their service members, to include application procedures for veterans, retirees, and next-of-kin," the DoD release stated.

[Calpernia]

The front of Global War in Terrorism Expeditionary Medal features a shield adapted from the Great Seal of the United States. The back includes the eagle, serpent and swords from the medal's front-side design along with the inscription "War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal." The medal's final approval was announced Feb. 26.

[Calpernia]

Pro Military News!

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal has an eagle and wings display, with a terrestrial globe and the inscription "War on Terrorism Service Medal." The reverse side features a laurel wreath. The medal's final approval was announced Feb. 26.

Private Mail to be added to or removed from the GNFI (or Pro-Coalition) ping list.

[mystery-ak]

come take a look

[Old Sarge]

Personnel eligible to receive the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal must have participated or support operations on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Service medal eligibility dates run from Sept. 27, 2001, until May 31, 2002, for individuals who served in airport security operations.

Oh well. That leaves me out.

[blackie]

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists and the democrats are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[olde north church]

IMHO the medal reflects the appreciation of a nation to those who are putting their lives on the line for our liberty. I do have a comment with the term "expeditionary". I know there are several connotations but there is no shortage of those who would use it to their own political advantage. I don't want those who claimed the war in Iraq was plotted in Texas to be able to use this medal of service against the brave men and women who will have earned it. Does it have that connotation of "looking for trouble" and conjuring up the image of a safari or [There is an exact phrase I can't recall right now]. Does it trivialize the importance of the mission that way or am I reading to much into it?

[ohioWfan]

Wow! Cool!

[MeekOneGOP]

I like it ! ;^)

[Old Sarge]

Does it trivialize the importance of the mission that way or am I reading to much into it?

::kindly:: Yes, FRiend, you're reading too deeply.

Expeditionary Forces have been part of military operations throughout modern history. It means that your troops are leaving friendly shores and lands, venturing into the unknown country of the foe.

What I do like is, the Homeland Defenders are being recognized, as well...

[Arrowhead1952]

War on terror metals ping.

[Miss Marple]

The Armed Forces who went to Europe under Pershing in WWI were routinely referred to in the newspapers as the American Expditionary Forces. It is not a new term and has nothing to do with safaris.

[Severa]

Yep, my husband has as part of his 'chest candy' an Arctic Expeditionary ribbon, as he's crossed the Arctic circle and roamed around that area a few times. I'm not sure if he'll qualify for this ribbon though as he never saw action in the current hot spots of the world. But his cousin David, who is 101st Airborne, certainly will.

[Soaring Feather]

bump

[Jammz]

There is a requirement of having deployed for a certain amount of days to receive this medal. You have to deploy AND serve under a certain operation. If you are not in that theatre of operations you will not receive the medal.

[mike1sg]

Yeah, it's pretty neat, more paper work for the boss to do, we will make sure everybody gets it. I just posted an answer to Ohiowfan on the orders thing, but it looks like I put it on the old dose, should I explain it again?

[Calpernia]

DoD Announces Criteria for Global War on Terrorism Medals

The Defense Department announced today the final approval of the Global War on Terrorism Medals. These medals recognize the significant contributions members of the armed forces bring to bear in combating terrorism in all forms throughout the world -- for both current and future operations.

Presidential Executive Order 13289 previously authorized the medals, which come in expeditionary and service versions. The expeditionary medal is for those who deploy to designated combat areas, and the service medal is for those who serve in support of operations to combat terrorism.

Servicemembers authorized the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal must have deployed overseas for service in the Global War on Terrorism operations on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and to a future date to be determined by the secretary of defense. Initial award of the expeditionary medal is limited to personnel deployed abroad in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The area of eligibility encompasses the United States Central Command area (less the lower Horn of Africa); Middle East; eastern Turkey; Philippines; Diego Garcia; and all air spaces above the land and adjacent water areas.

Each combatant commander has the authority to approve award of the expeditionary medal for personnel deployed within their theater of operation. Under no circumstances are personnel in the United States eligible for the expeditionary medal.

Servicemembers must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit participating in designated operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in the area of eligibility, or meet one of the following criteria:


Be engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action, regardless of time in the area of eligibility;

While participating in the designated operation, regardless of time, be killed, wounded or injured requiring medical evacuation from the area of eligibility; or

Be regularly assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in direct support of Operations Enduring Freedom and/or Iraqi Freedom. Each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as one day toward the 30 or 60-day requirement.

Individuals authorized the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal must have participated in or served in support of Global War on Terrorism operations on or after Sept.11, 2001, and to a future date to be determined by the secretary of defense. Initial award of the service medal will be limited to airport security operations (from Sept. 27, 2001, until May 31, 2002) and to servicemembers who support Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom. Each combatant commander has the authority to approve award of the service medal for units and personnel deployed to their theater of operations.

Servicemembers must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit participating in or serving in support of

designated operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or meet one of the following criteria:

Be engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action, regardless of time in the area of eligibility.

While participating in the designated operation, regardless of time, be killed, wounded or injured requiring medical evacuation from the area of eligibility.

Battle Stars for the expeditionary and service medal, if warranted, may be applicable for personnel who were engaged in actual combat against the enemy and under circumstances involving grave danger of death or serious bodily injury from enemy action. Only a combatant commander can initiate a request for a battle star. The chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff is the approving authority for battle stars.

Only one award of the expeditionary medal and service medal may be authorized for any individual; therefore, no service stars are prescribed. Personnel may receive both the expeditionary medal and service medal if they meet the requirements of both awards; however, the qualifying period of service used to establish eligibility for one award cannot be used to justify eligibility for the other.

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal will be positioned above the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal in precedence; both shall directly follow the Kosovo Campaign Medal.

Each military department will prescribe appropriate regulations for processing awarding and wearing of the medals and ribbons for their servicemembers, to include application procedures for veterans, retirees, and next-of-kin.

In consideration of new military roles in a post-Sept. 11th environment, the department developed these awards for military members to provide flexible and tangible recognition for those serving in the current war against terrorism, a war that spans the globe and includes many diverse campaigns.


Excecutive Order:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030312-6.html

[EQAndyBuzz]

Wonder who voted against this.

[windchime]

Bump!