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
Awarded by	United States Armed Forces
Type	Service medal
Eligibility	United States Armed Forces personnel
Status	Currently awarded
Established	2003
First awarded	2003
Last awarded	Ongoing
Related	National Defense Service Medal, War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a service medal presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who have participated in the War on Terror, which includes operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, led by United States Central Command and supported by North Atlantic Treaty Organization and United Nations. The medal was established by Executive Order 13289 signed by President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003, and is also related to the National Defense Service Medal and the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, which are awarded for service in other military operations, including Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield, led by General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. and supported by Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is administered by the United States Department of Defense and is awarded to personnel who have served in support of the War on Terror, including those who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, under the command of General David Petraeus and General Stanley McChrystal.

● Introduction

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal was created to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of United States Armed Forces personnel who have served in the War on Terror, which was launched in response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, planned by Osama bin Laden and carried out by Al-Qaeda. The medal is awarded to personnel who have served in a variety of roles, including combat and support positions, and is intended to recognize their service and dedication to the War on Terror, which has involved operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries, including Pakistan and Yemen, and has been supported by International Security Assistance Force and Coalition Forces. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is one of several medals that have been established to recognize the service of United States Armed Forces personnel in the War on Terror, including the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, which are awarded for service in specific operations, such as Operation Anaconda and Operation Medusa, led by General Tommy Franks and supported by Canadian Armed Forces and Australian Defence Force. The medal is also related to other awards, such as the Presidential Unit Citation and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, which are presented to units that have demonstrated exceptional service and achievement, including the 101st Airborne Division and the 10th Mountain Division, which have served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

● Eligibility

To be eligible for the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, personnel must have served in support of the War on Terror for a period of at least 30 days, either consecutively or non-consecutively, between September 11, 2001, and a date to be determined, which has been extended several times, including by President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump. Eligible personnel include those who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries, including Pakistan and Yemen, as well as those who have served in support roles, such as logistics and intelligence, under the command of United States Central Command and supported by North Atlantic Treaty Organization and United Nations. The medal is awarded to personnel who have served in a variety of branches, including the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, and is also awarded to personnel who have served in reserve and National Guard units, including the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, which have been mobilized to support the War on Terror, led by General Martin Dempsey and General Raymond Odierno. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is also related to other awards, such as the Armed Forces Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal, which are presented to personnel who have served in other types of operations, including Operation Unified Response and Operation Tomodachi, led by United States Southern Command and supported by United States Agency for International Development.

● Design

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a bronze medal that features a eagle in the center, surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves and laurel leaves, which symbolize strength and victory, and is suspended from a ribbon with a black and white stripe, which represents the War on Terror, and a red and white stripe, which represents sacrifice and courage. The medal was designed by the Institute of Heraldry, which is responsible for designing heraldic devices and medals for the United States Armed Forces, including the Presidential Seal and the United States Army Seal, and is administered by the United States Department of Defense. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is one of several medals that have been designed to recognize the service of United States Armed Forces personnel in the War on Terror, including the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, which feature different designs and ribbons, including the Multinational Force Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force, which have been established to recognize the service of personnel who have served in specific operations, such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

● Criteria

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is awarded to personnel who have served in support of the War on Terror for a period of at least 30 days, either consecutively or non-consecutively, between September 11, 2001, and a date to be determined, which has been extended several times, including by President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. The medal is awarded to personnel who have served in a variety of roles, including combat and support positions, and is intended to recognize their service and dedication to the War on Terror, which has involved operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries, including Pakistan and Yemen, and has been supported by International Security Assistance Force and Coalition Forces. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is one of several medals that have been established to recognize the service of United States Armed Forces personnel in the War on Terror, including the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, which are awarded for service in specific operations, such as Operation Anaconda and Operation Medusa, led by General Tommy Franks and supported by Canadian Armed Forces and Australian Defence Force. The medal is also related to other awards, such as the Presidential Unit Citation and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, which are presented to units that have demonstrated exceptional service and achievement, including the 101st Airborne Division and the 10th Mountain Division, which have served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

● Notable Recipients

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal has been awarded to numerous notable recipients, including General David Petraeus, who served as the Commander of United States Central Command and led the surge in Iraq, and General Stanley McChrystal, who served as the Commander of International Security Assistance Force and led the effort to defeat Al-Qaeda and Taliban in Afghanistan. The medal has also been awarded to other notable recipients, including Admiral Mike Mullen, who served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Martin Dempsey, who served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and led the effort to develop the National Military Strategy, which includes the War on Terror, and is supported by North Atlantic Treaty Organization and United Nations. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is also related to other awards, such as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal, which are presented to personnel who have demonstrated exceptional service and achievement, including General Colin Powell and General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., who served in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield, led by President George H.W. Bush and supported by Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

● History

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal was established by Executive Order 13289 signed by President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003, and is one of several medals that have been established to recognize the service of United States Armed Forces personnel in the War on Terror, including the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. The medal was designed by the Institute of Heraldry, which is responsible for designing heraldic devices and medals for the United States Armed Forces, including the Presidential Seal and the United States Army Seal, and is administered by the United States Department of Defense. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal has been awarded to numerous personnel who have served in support of the War on Terror, including those who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries, including Pakistan and Yemen, and has been supported by International Security Assistance Force and Coalition Forces. The medal is also related to other awards, such as the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Service Medal, which are presented to personnel who have served in other types of operations, including Operation Unified Response and Operation Tomodachi, led by United States Southern Command and supported by United States Agency for International Development.

Category:United States military awards and decorations