United States campaign medals

United States campaign medals
Name	United States campaign medals
Awarded by	United States Department of Defense
Type	Military award
Eligibility	United States Armed Forces personnel
For	Service in designated military campaigns
Status	Currently awarded
First award	American Civil War
Last award	Ongoing

United States campaign medals. These awards are authorized decorations presented to members of the United States Armed Forces for participation in designated wars, expeditions, or operations in specific geographic theaters. They serve as a formal record of a service member’s deployment and combat experience, distinct from individual valor or achievement medals. The system has evolved significantly since its inception, with designs and criteria standardized across the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, and United States Space Force.

History and development

The concept of American campaign recognition originated with the American Civil War, when the Grand Army of the Republic issued commemorative badges. The first official medal was the Civil War Campaign Medal, established in 1907 for the Union Army. Following World War I, the United States Congress authorized a series of medals including the World War I Victory Medal. The United States Navy and United States Marine Corps led early efforts with medals for the Spanish–American War and Philippine–American War. Modern systematization occurred after World War II, under the direction of the United States Department of Defense, which consolidated award criteria across all service branches. Key developments include the creation of the National Defense Service Medal during the Korean War and the establishment of expeditionary medals for operations like the Vietnam War.

Criteria and categories

Eligibility is strictly defined by executive orders from the President of the United States or directives from the United States Department of Defense. Criteria typically require honorable service within a specific geographic area and time period for a designated operation. Medals fall into several categories: wartime service medals for major conflicts like the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; expeditionary medals for smaller operations such as the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; and service medals for broad defense periods like the National Defense Service Medal. Approval for new medals often follows a formal request from a Unified combatant command or service secretary, reviewed by the Heraldry and Insignia branch of the United States Army Institute of Heraldry.

Notable campaign medals

Among the most recognized awards is the World War II Victory Medal, awarded for service between Pearl Harbor and the Surrender of Japan. The Vietnam Service Medal denotes duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. For more recent conflicts, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal were created following operations Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Korean Service Medal commemorates the Korean War, while the European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal covered multiple theaters in World War II. The American Defense Service Medal was awarded for pre-World War II service. Expeditionary medals include the Navy Expeditionary Medal for operations like the 1983 invasion of Grenada.

Design and symbolism

Designs are created by the United States Army Institute of Heraldry and often feature symbolic elements. The World War I Victory Medal displays the winged figure of Victory. The Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal bears a palm tree and B-24 Liberator. Common reverse motifs include phrases like “For Service” or the Great Seal of the United States. Ribbons use colors symbolizing conflict attributes: the Purple Heart ribbon’s purple denotes courage, while the Vietnam Service Medal ribbon incorporates green, yellow, and red. Medals are typically struck in bronze or brass alloy, with service-specific clasps like the Fleet Marine Force combat operation insignia.

Display and order of precedence

Campaign medals are worn in a specific sequence on the United States military uniform, following strict regulations from each service branch. They are placed after personal decorations like the Medal of Honor and Silver Star but before marksmanship awards. The order is generally chronological, with the earliest campaign medal worn closest to the center of the chest. Multiple awards for the same medal are denoted by service stars or campaign stars, as seen on the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Miniature medals are authorized for formal evening wear. Official placement is detailed in manuals like Army Regulation 670-1 and guided by the Department of the Army.

Related awards and distinctions

Campaign medals are part of a broader awards system including the Purple Heart for combat wounds and the Prisoner of War Medal. Service ribbons represent each medal for everyday wear. The Combat Action Ribbon recognizes direct engagement, while the Armed Forces Service Medal honors significant non-combat operations. International awards like the United Nations Medal and NATO Medal may also be authorized for wear. Civilian service in theaters can be recognized by the Department of Defense with the Civilian Service in Afghanistan Medal. Historical societies such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars often provide auxiliary recognition for campaign medal holders.

Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States Category:American military personnel