Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry · Public domain · source
Name	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Caption	Obverse of the medal and ribbon
Awarded by	United States Department of Defense
Type	Service medal
Eligibility	U.S. military service members
For	Service in support of operations to counter terrorism
Campaign	Global War on Terrorism
Status	Currently awarded
First award	2003 (retroactive to September 11, 2001)
Higher	Kosovo Campaign Medal
Lower	Korea Defense Service Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. This award is a military service medal established by Executive Order 13289 on March 12, 2003, by President George W. Bush. It recognizes service members who supported operations to counter terrorism following the September 11 attacks. The medal is distinct from the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, which is awarded for direct deployment to designated areas.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility requires active participation in, or support of, specific military operations aimed at combating international terrorism as defined by the United States Department of Defense. Service members must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to a unit participating in or directly supporting one or more designated operations for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days, or meet specific criteria for certain personnel like aircrew. The designated operations include, but are not limited to, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Noble Eagle. Service outside the designated areas of eligibility for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal typically qualifies for this service medal, provided it is in direct support of the approved operations.

Appearance and symbolism

The medal's design is bronze and circular, featuring an eagle with wings displayed, grasping an olive branch and arrows, superimposed on a terrestrial globe. This central motif is encircled by the inscription "GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE MEDAL". The reverse bears a laurel wreath surrounding the phrases "FOR OUR FREEDOM" and "AND OUR COUNTRY’S". The ribbon is predominantly red, with narrow stripes of white, blue, white, and black at the edges, symbolizing sacrifice, vigilance, justice, and determination. The eagle and globe symbolize the United States' global reach and commitment, while the wreath represents honor and achievement.

History and establishment

The medal was created in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the subsequent launch of the Global War on Terrorism. President George W. Bush signed the authorizing Executive Order 13289, which was implemented by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Coast Guard. Its establishment formalized recognition for the vast number of service members contributing to the counter-terrorism effort from locations worldwide, not just in forward-deployed combat zones. The award is retroactive to September 11, 2001, and remains active, with the Secretary of Defense authorized to designate qualifying operations.

Order of precedence and wearing

Within the order of precedence of U.S. military awards, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is worn after the Kosovo Campaign Medal and before the Korea Defense Service Medal. When both the service medal and the expeditionary medal are authorized for the same period of service, only the expeditionary medal is worn. Only one award of the service medal is authorized, with subsequent qualifying service denoted by bronze service stars attached to the medal's ribbon. The medal is worn in accordance with uniform regulations set by the individual services like the United States Army and United States Navy.

Notable recipients and operations

While awarded broadly, the medal has been presented to personnel involved in significant operations and units. These include participants in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, support personnel for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and those involved in homeland defense activities under Operation Noble Eagle. Members of the New York National Guard who responded to the World Trade Center site and provided security in the aftermath of the attacks are among the recipients. The medal is also held by service members supporting operations like Operation Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean Sea and Operation Juniper Shield in the Trans-Sahara region.

Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States Category:Global War on Terrorism