The Afghanistan Campaign Medal, front view; awarded to members of the uniformed services of the United States who serve or who have served in Afghanistan (or its contiguous air space) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from Oct. 24, 2001 to a date to be announced. Air Force Awards and Decorations (U.S. Air Force Graphic.)
Afghanistan Campaign Medal, awarded to members of the US uniformed services who serve or have served in Afghanistan or contiguous air space, as defined by such regulations, on or after 24 October 2001 to a date to be determined as prescribed by the Secretary of Defense. Air Force Awards and Decorations (enhance color), U.S. Air Force graphic, AFNEWS/PAND. The JPG image is a stylized version whereas the EPS version is a two-dimensional line art illustration.
Background
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal was established by Public Law 108-234, signed into law by President George W. Bush on May 28, 2004 and implemented by Executive Order 13363, signed by President Bush on Nov. 29, 2004.
Effective dates
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal may be awarded to members of the uniformed services of the United States who serve or who have served in Afghanistan (or its contiguous air space) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from Oct. 24, 2001 to a date to be announced.
Criteria
To be eligible for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, a servicemember must be assigned or attached to a unit participating in Operation Enduring Freedom for 30 consecutive days or for 60 nonconsecutive days in Afghanistan 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 the time in Afghanistan.
-- While participating in Operation Enduring Freedom or on official duties, regardless of time, is killed, wounded or injured requiring medical evacuation from Afghanistan.
-- While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out of, within, or over Afghanistan in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom; each day that one or more sorties are flown in accordance with these criteria shall count as one day towards the 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive day requirement.
-- Servicemembers who qualified for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal by reason of service in Afghanistan between Oct. 24, 2001 and April 30, 2005 shall remain qualified for that medal. However, any servicemember who wishes to do so may be awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for that service. Additionally, any Army soldier authorized the arrowhead device may be awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with arrowhead device in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with arrowhead device.
-- No servicemember shall be entitled to both the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal for the same act, achievement, or period of service.
-- Only one award of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal may be authorized for any individual.
In April 2008, the DoD authorized service stars to recognize service members for participating in the following campaigns:
-- Liberation of Afghanistan: 11 September 2001 - 30 November 2001
-- Consolidation I: 1 December 2001 - 30 September 2006
-- Consolidation II: 1 October 2006 - Date to be Determined (DTBD)
One bronze service star shall be worn for each campaign served. A silver service star will be worn instead of five bronze stars.
Order of precedence
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is worn after the Kosovo Campaign Medal and before the Iraq Campaign Medal.
Medal Description
In the lower half of a bronze medallion, a range of mountains; in the upper half of the medallion, a map of Afghanistan. Following the contour of the medal is the inscription, Afghanistan Campaign. In the center of a bronze medallion, a radiating demi-sun superimposed by an eagle's head facing to the viewer's left. Across the bottom half of the reverse is the three-line inscription "For Service in Afghanistan".
Ribbon Description
The color combination of the ribbon represents the colors of the new Afghanistan flag as well as the United States and its allies. The ribbon as central pinstripes of red/white/blue/white/red, bordered by larger stripes of white, which are in turn bordered by black, red and green.
Authorized Device: Bronze and/or silver service star
