Iraq Campaign Medal

Iraq Campaign Medal. The Iraq Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces created by executive order of President George W. Bush on 29 November 2004. It was awarded to members of the U.S. military who served in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn within the defined geographical area of eligibility. The medal recognizes service during a major phase of the Global War on Terrorism following the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Description and appearance

The medal's design is bronze and features a depiction of the Lamassu, an ancient Assyrian protective deity, symbolizing the historical region of Mesopotamia. The reverse side shows a map of Iraq surmounted by two crossed scimitars and the inscription “IRAQ CAMPAIGN”. The ribbon is predominantly shades of red, white, and black, with thin stripes of blue, yellow, and green; these colors are representative of the Flag of Iraq and the arid landscape of the region. The overall aesthetic was chosen to reflect the theater of operations and the historical significance of the area, distinct from other awards like the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility for the medal required service within the borders of Iraq or its contiguous waters or airspace for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days. Personnel assigned to units participating in designated operations, such as Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation New Dawn, qualified, as did those who engaged in combat or were wounded in action regardless of time served. The area of eligibility specifically included the entire country of Iraq, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and portions of the Gulf of Oman. It could not be awarded for the same period of service as the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal or the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Order of wear and devices

In the order of precedence of United States awards, the Iraq Campaign Medal is worn after the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and before the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Authorized devices include bronze and silver service stars to denote participation in specific campaign phases, such as the Liberation of Iraq or National Resolution. A bronze arrowhead device could be awarded for a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, or amphibious assault during a campaign, such as the initial Battle of Nasiriyah. The United States Department of the Army and United States Department of the Navy issued detailed regulations governing the wear of these devices on the medal's suspension ribbon.

History and establishment

The medal was established on 29 November 2004, during the presidency of George W. Bush, to specifically recognize service in the ongoing conflict in Iraq, which began with the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Its creation separated service in the Iraq War from the broader Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, which had previously covered operations in multiple theaters. The award period was defined from 19 March 2003 to 31 December 2011, encompassing the conclusion of Operation New Dawn and the official end of the U.S. combat mission. The establishment followed a precedent set by earlier campaign-specific awards like the Vietnam Service Medal.

Notable recipients

Many high-ranking officers and decorated personnel received the medal, including General David Petraeus, who commanded the Multi-National Force – Iraq during the Iraq War troop surge of 2007. Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions near Baghdad International Airport, was also a recipient. Other notable recipients include Admiral William H. McRaven, then a SEAL officer, and Congressman Tammy Duckworth, who served as a United States Army pilot in Iraq. The award is common among veterans of major engagements like the Second Battle of Fallujah and the Battle of Ramadi (2006).

Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States Category:2004 establishments in the United States