Updated: 2 June, 2009

United States

• Military Awards Program - DoD Instruction 1348.33, August 26, 1985. Explains DoD policies and procedures on awarding Defense decorations and Service awards; non-military decorations; the acceptance of foreign military decorations by members of the Armed Forces of the United States. Also describes the various Defense awards; the basis and eligibility requirements for the award; and who is eligible to receive and who is eligible to authorize the award. It tells how to prepare, submit, and process recommendations for Defense decorations and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award (JMUA).
  • Manual of Military Decorations and Awards - DoD 1348.33-M, 09/1996

• Cole attack Hero to be Honored (Major Jeff Davis, formerly of the 75th Airlift Squadron, Awarded Aerial Achievement Medal and Meritorious Service Medal) (Oct 01)

• Dept. of Defense honors ATA employees For more than 20 years, Indianapolis-based ATA has transported troops and military supplies to staging areas around the world. "This is our way of giving back, helping in the situation," says flight attendant Cindy Crafton. As part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, ATA flew nearly 700 missions carrying about 7,000 troops for Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is for those efforts that the Department of Defense honored more than 1,000 pilots, flight attendants and crew members. For those pilots, flight attendants and crew who flew seven missions or more the Department of Defense awarded them the Aerial Achievement Award Medal. wthr.com 13 Dec 05

Afghanistan Campaign Medal

• Afghanistan Campaign Medal  Public Law 108-234, signed into law on May 28, 2004, authorized separate campaign medals for members of the uniformed services who participate in Operation Enduring Freedom and to members of the uniformed services who participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Some interpret this law to mean there will be separate campaign medals for the Afghanistan Campaign and for the Iraqi Campaign. We will report updates as they become available. Eligibility: Subject to limitations as prescribed by the President and by the Secretaries of the military departments and subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense. Design of the medal and design approval will probably take a year or more. Image courtesy of Ed Emering Nov 04

• Separate medals for Afghan and Iraq campaigns President George W. Bush ordered separate medals to be issued to honor US soldiers who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism medal previously accorded to troops involved in both campaigns. In an executive order signed this week, Bush declared that "the Afghanistan Campaign Medal shall be awarded to members of the uniformed services of the United States who serve or have served in Afghanistan or contiguous air space, as defined by such regulations, on or after October 24, 2001, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense." He also created a separate Iraq Campaign Medal for troops serving in Iraq or in its adjoining waters or air space on or after March 19, 2003. Bush declared that troops are eligible only to receive either an Iraq or Afghanistan campaign medal or the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. "No member shall be entitled to the award of more than one of these three medals for the same period of service," the executive order stipulated. However, soldiers who have already qualified for the war on terrorism medal will remain eligible for that honor, it noted. The Iraq and Afghanistan medals may also be awarded posthumously, according to the November 29 decree. timesofindia.inidatimes.com 01 Dec 04

• Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) - Pesident Bush signed the Executive Order authorizing this new medal. The final design has been approved and the US Army Institute of Heraldry is working with the appropriate contractors to produce the ribbons and planchets. It is anticipated that the medal will be available for issue by May/June 2005. iraqwarveterans.org Feb 05

• New Campaign Medals Recognize Iraq, Afghanistan Service The Defense Department announced the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal for military members who directly support Operation Enduring Freedom between Oct. 24, 2001, and a date to be determined in the future or Operation Iraqi Freedom between March 19, 2003, and some future date.  DoD Announces Criteria for Two New Campaign Medals

• Air Force officials have authorized Airmen to wear the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal The Department of Defense campaign medals apply to active-duty Airmen, reservists and guardsmen deployed on or after Oct. 24, 2001, for Operation Enduring Freedom and March 19, 2003, for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Airmen must have been assigned, attached or mobilized to units operating in Afghanistan or Iraq for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days to be eligible. The ACM is awarded for service for all land areas within and all airspaces above Afghanistan. The ICM is for service covering all land areas within Iraq, all adjoining water areas out to 12 nautical miles and all airspaces above those areas. Airmen are not entitled to more than one campaign and/or expeditionary medal for the same action, achievement or period of service. There are also no devices for either campaign medals or the Global War on Terrorism-Expeditionary Medal. A period of service is defined as an area of deployment and includes the number of days criteria outlined above. Airmen begin a second period of service when they forward deploy or return to home station and then deploy later. Airmen deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, who have 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days between the eligibility period and April 30, may elect to wear either the appropriate campaign medal or the GWOT-E medal, but not both. Those who deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq, who have 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days after April 30 can only earn the respective campaign medal for the area they served in. Air Force Personnel Center officials here will do a mass system update in August to convert GWOT-E medals to campaign medals for Airmen who are eligible. Airmen who do not want the GWOT-E medal converted need to notify their commander's support staff or military personnel flight, officials said. The campaign medal for Afghanistan shall be positioned below the one for Kosovo and above the medal for Iraq. i-newswire.com 27 Jun 05

• Stars not authorized for OIF, OEF medals During recent visits to stateside installations, two top Marine leaders repeatedly fielded questions about whether or not star devices are authorized for wear on Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals to mark multiple tours, Marine officials said recently. Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, are encouraging leaders to clarify the issue among Marines. Marine Administrative Messages 172/05 and 173/05 address the wear of the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal respectively. Both messages state stars are not authorized for either medal. Marine Administrative Message 172/05 for the Iraq Campaign Medal states Marines must have participated in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 19, 2003. Iraq's area of eligibility encompasses all land and airspace within the country to include a contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles. Marines must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in order to receive the medal, with few exceptions. MARADMIN 173/05 for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal states Marines must have participated in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom since Oct. 24, 2001. Afghanistan's area of eligibility encompasses all land area and airspace within the country. Marines must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in order to receive the medals, with few exceptions as well. "Marines want to be recognized for how many times they have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan," Mastriano said. "Currently, there is no provision that denotes subsequential tours to Iraq and Afghanistan." For service stars to be a part of the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals for Marines, the Headquarters Marine Corps Military Awards Branch must approve the change, he said. okinawa.usmc.mil 19 Jan 07

 Air Force Achievement Medal

• Patrolmen lauded for life-saving response A base Airman is alive today thanks to four patrolmen with the 366th Security Forces Squadron. This month, the 366th Fighter Wing showed its gratitude by selecting Tech. Sgt. Rich Richardson, Tech. Sgt. Galen Dickerson, Staff Sgt. Tom French and Senior Airman Renee Hvizdak to receive Air Force Achievement Medals. Sergeant Dickerson and his fellow patrolmen paused to reflect on what happened the afternoon of Oct. 26. According to police reports, the Airman left his work center saying he was going to lunch. Instead, he headed for a park in a secluded area in the base housing area where he deliberately hurt himself. acc.af.mil 30 Nov 06
• Airman earns medal for lifesaving efforts An Airman here was presented the Air Force Achievement Medal recently for saving the life of a 7-year-old boy who was choking on candy. Airman 1st Class Kyle Thomas was bowling while on leave in Norman, Okla., after competing six weeks of basic training and six months of technical training when he heard a man call for help.  He picked Nick Cardenes up under his arms and began administering the Heimlich maneuver. He said after four compressions the candy fell from the child's mouth. af.mil 1 Mar 07

Air Force Campaign Medal

• Air Force Campaign Medal - Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) Creates New Medal, Awards - 3 July 2002 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force’s top civilian leader recently authorized the creation of a new medal and two new awards to recognize outstanding achievement or service in wartime operations. The Air Force Campaign Medal will recognize significant direct contributions to wartime operations, according to Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche. “The awarding of campaign medals to specially recognize people and units who fight our wars is a long-standing military tradition,” Roche said. “Historically, the Department of Defense’s criteria for such awards have centered on geography to define the area of combat operations,” he said. “In light of the expeditionary aerospace force environment and the transformation in the way the Air Force carries out its missions today, such criteria doesn’t allow us to appropriately recognize our people who contribute directly and significantly to the success of wartime campaigns from outside the area of combat operations.” Therefore, in accordance with DOD policy, Roche authorized the creation of a medal to be given to Air Force people who are not eligible for a DOD campaign medal but directly supported combat operations from a location outside the geographic area of operations. The secretary said he also wants to ensure units are properly recognized for their actions in support of wartime efforts and has established two new Air Force unit awards. The first award, the Gallant Unit Citation (GUC), will recognize units for their significant combat heroism below that currently required for the Presidential Unit Citation. The second, the Meritorious Unit Award, will honor units for their outstanding achievement in direct support of combat operations. The specific design and criteria for the new medal and awards are currently being reviewed, and a final decision on what they will look like and who is authorized to wear them will be reached in the next few months, Roche said. (Ref: Mike Smith)

• Air Force Campaign Medal
  • Recognition will go to airmen outside of combat operations - Arlington, Va. — Air Force personnel fighting the war on terror may soon have another ribbon to wear, even if their duties have kept them far from Afghanistan. Air Force Secretary James Roche has authorized the Air Force to create the Air Force Campaign Medal and two unit citations, the Gallant Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Award. Air Force officials are reviewing the new ribbons and expect to make a decision in the next few months on the design and who is authorized to wear them. Individual military services traditionally bestow campaign medals to people or units who have distinguished themselves in battle. However, “historically, the Department of Defense’s criteria for such awards have centered on geography to define the area of combat operations.” “That criteria doesn’t allow us to appropriately recognize our people who contribute directly and significantly to the success of wartime campaigns from outside the area of combat operations.”  Thus, the Air Force Campaign Medal will be given to airmen who are not eligible for a Defense Department campaign medal, “but who have nonetheless directly supported combat operations from a location outside the geographic area of operations,” Roche said. Roche also authorized the Gallant Unit Citation, which will recognize units for significant combat heroism at a level below that required for the Presidential Unit Citation; and the Meritorious Unit Award, which will honor units for their outstanding achievement in direct support of combat operations. None of the new citations will have any point value for promotions. Asked Monday whether the other services intend to authorize similar “out of area” citations or medals for their own personnel, spokesmen for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps said they were unaware of such plans. The Defense Department already has one all encompassing “war on terrorism” award, the National Defense Service medal, authorized in May. The NDS has traditionally been bestowed on all active duty U.S. personnel during wartime, beginning with the Korean War. Every full-time service member on duty since Sept. 11, 2001, is eligible for the current NDS, regardless of where they have serve or in what capacity. Mobilized members of the reserve forces are also eligible. (Ref: Stars and Stripes- Lisa Burgess) (9 Jul 02)

Air Force Air and Space Campaign Medal

• US Air Force Air and Space Campaign Medal - This medal, authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on 24 Apr 2002, may be awarded to members of the United States Air Force who, after 24 March 1999, participated in or directly supported a significant U.S. military operation designated by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The medal is awarded only to personnel who provided direct support of combat operations from outside a geographic area determined by the Joint Chief of Staff. Service members must be assigned or attached to a unit engaged in the operation. Personnel must be engaged in direct support for at least 30 consecutive days or for 60 nonconsecutive days. For this medal, direct support is defined as: 1) deploying in support of an operation, or 2) if at home station, performing functions or missions that historically were deployed forward, or entirely new and future missions, which due to technological advances, are no longer constrained by geographic location. This includes, but is not limited to, sortie generation, intelligence, surveillance, targeting, computer network attack operations, etc. No individual shall be eligible for both the ASCM and a DoD campaign/service medal awarded during a single tour in the designated operation. Participants are limited to only one ASCM for assignment to a designated operation. A second award of the ASCM is only authorized to individuals for nonconsecutive and nonconcurrent assignments to separate operations, provided the participants meet the criteria for each. For each succeeding operation that justifies award of the ASCM, a service star is worn on the ribbon/medal. Multiple award of the ASCM for assignments or rotations to the same operation is not authorized. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force designates the military operations that qualify for the ASCM. The Commander Air Force Forces will designate those organizations that provided direct qualifying support. (Ref: Mike Smith - Apr 03)

• Hill employee receives Medal of Valor Jimmy Snyder was awarded the Air Force’s Civilian Medal of Valor by Ogden Air Logistics Center commander Maj. Gen. Kevin Sullivan earlier this month for his actions which prolonged the life of another Hill employee in July. hilltoptimes.com 15 Dec 05

• Tinker civilian lauded for valor A Tinker Air Force Base civilian was lauded for his heroism Jan. 9 during a 72nd Mission Support Group commander's call. Johnnie Pickett, a materials examiner and identifier with the 72nd Services Division's Recycling Department, was presented with the U.S. Air Force Command Civilian Award for Valor after rescuing a 3-year-old girl from a burning car last summer. The ceremony marked the first time the civilian award, equivalent to the military Airman's Medal, has been presented at Tinker. blackanthem.com 1 Feb 06

Air Force Combat Action Medal

• Combat medal available for airmen in April A combat-recognition medal for airmen should be available in April, according to the Air Force’s top personnel officer. Officials have agreed on the award’s design and the criteria for receiving it, Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, told Air Force Times on Friday. Brady said the medal “speaks to our heritage in an elegant way,” and added that airmen would be eligible to receive it for combat exploits both in the air and on the ground. “Combat, historically in the Air Force, has been viewed ... as the purview of ... aviators. That’s changed,” Brady said. “It’s changed with the nature of the enemy and changed with some of the missions we’ve been asked to take on.” Likely candidates for the award, which will be retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001, include those airmen who perform missions alongside the Army and Marine Corps — or in lieu of those troops, Brady said. That includes convoy escorts, explosive ordnance disposal technicians and members of provincial reconstruction teams, among others. These airmen have been in the line of fire, sometimes “nose to nose” with the enemy, he said. The combat-action award will be available to airmen through the rank of colonel, Brady said. No current general officers will be eligible for it. Moreover, the award will have no bearing on an airmen’s promotion, he said. In December, more than 20 airmen met at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, to hash out criteria for the award, Brady said. “We had people [there] who had been there, done that and had the T-shirt,” he said, alluding to the combat veterans in on the discussions. And while some opposed the idea of a combat-recognition medal, most supported it, Brady said. They looked in detail at the criteria for combat-action awards issued by the sister services. Although those medals and ribbons have been awarded historically to troops who have come under and returned fire, the individual branches have tweaked their criteria somewhat. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the enemy has fired on troops using improvised explosives — meaning the attacker may not be present. “We don’t have to be exactly like the other services,” Brady said, “but it should be consistent with the other services.” As with the other combat action awards, returning fire is not a prerequisite for receiving the Air Force award, he said, but an airman must come under enemy fire as part of performing his duties. It’s not for airmen in the wrong place at the wrong time. For that reason, even though the award eligibility will date back to 9/11, airmen at the Pentagon when it was attacked will not qualify.  “There are other awards … to handle people who are unfortunately in the way of hostile action,” Brady said. Airmen will apply for the medal by filling out a form and providing a witness’ statement. The Central Command Air Forces commander, currently Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, will serve as command authority. “This is not an ‘I-was-a-hero award,’ ” Brady said. “[Airmen] are heroes, yes, because they’re doing the nation’s business, and they’re getting shot at. “But [this is] an ‘I-was-there-in-combat award and I performed honorably.’ It doesn’t necessarily mean … valiantly or heroically, but we ought to recognize it.” airforcetimes.com 28 Jan 07

• Air Force releases combat action medal criteria Air Force officials at the Air Force Personnel Center released criteria this week for award of the new combat action medal, an award for Airmen who have been involved in direct fighting situations where they risked their lives in an enemy engagement. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley authorized the medal's creation March 15. Any Airman who believes he or she may be eligible can now submit an award package for consideration. The first approval of the Air Force Combat Action Medal is expected with in the next few weeks, according to John Balducci, the chief of Air Force recognition programs. Airmen are eligible for the combat action medal "if their primary role includes performing duties in a combat zone, either on the ground or from the air, by entering into an unsecured area away from an established installation," Mr. Balducci said. "While performing their duties, they must have come under fire or fire upon an enemy to qualify." A combat zone is defined as a geographic area for which an Airman receives imminent danger/hostile fire pay. In addition, while encampments, compounds and protected areas aren't normally qualifying locations for the AFCAM, Airmen augmenting a defensive fighting position could be eligible should they meet the award criteria, Mr. Balducci said. Aircrew members must be flying in direct support of a combat zone and in combat. They also must be performing official duties and not manifested as a passenger. While performing close air support, taking fire from an enemy is not a prerequisite as long as the Airman is at "great risk," Mr. Balducci said. "For Airmen still on active duty who believe they may be eligible for the medal, their submission must include a narrative explanation of circumstances on an Air Force Form 3994 describing the event, to include date, time, location and incident details, as well as witness statements," Mr. Balducci said. "That package should be submitted to the first 0-6 (colonel) in their operational chain of command, who will submit it to the commander of Air Force forces." Award eligibility is retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001, through a date to be determined and is available across the total force. Personnel no longer on active duty can submit packages to the Board for Correction of Military Records. This will apply to posthumous awards as well, he said. The medal does come with some restrictions. For example, only one can be awarded during a qualifying period, and for now, operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom count as one eligible time frame. In addition, there are no promotion points for the AFCAM. However, events that garner the combat action medal also can be referenced for other decorations, Mr. Balducci said. The AFCAM is worn between the Air Force Achievement Medal and the Air Force Presidential Unit Citation.  The medal is designed to evoke Air Force heritage, scarlet with diagonal yellow stripes - adapted from the art insignia on the aircraft of Gen. Billy Mitchell, who coordinated the first air-to-ground offensive in history. Further, the AFCAM features an eagle grasping arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other, the arrows reflecting preparedness for war while the olive branch represents a goal of peace, according to official Air Force wear guidance. af.mil 9 Apr 07

• United States - Updated illustration of Combat Action Medal released Just when you thought the Combat Action Medal was a done deal, the Air Force has changed direction — so to speak.  Don’t worry. The medal is still in production, and the service still expects to award the first one within a few weeks, but officials at the Pentagon have released an updated illustration of it. At first glance the revision may look just like the image that’s been in circulation since February: same red-and-gold ribbon, same imposing eagle. The bird’s perch, however, has changed. Rather than “looking forward to peace,” as the medal’s early concept signified with its placement of an olive branch under the eagle’s gaze, the bird now faces a bundle of arrows, symbolizing “preparedness for war and protecting the homeland,” officials say. This change makes the medal consistent with its inspiration, an insignia that decorated the plane flown by iconic World War I aviator Billy Mitchell. On his plane, the eagle faced arrows to represent lethality. airforcetimes.com 24 Apr 07

• 6 airmen to get Combat Action Medal- The Air Force will present six airmen with the service’s first Combat Action Medals during a ceremony  at the Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C. The six, who will receive the medal from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, are:

  * Maj. Steven A. Raspet of New Braunfels, Texas, an A-10 pilot currently assigned to the 559th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas;

  * Capt Allison K. Black of North Point, N.Y., an AC-130H gunship navigator with the 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla.;

  * Senior Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez of Bridgeport, Conn., with the Air Force Pararescue/Combat Rescue Officer School, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.;

  * Master Sgt. Byron P. Allen of Birmingham, Ala., MH-53 aerial gunner with the 1st Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla.;

  * Master Sgt. Charlie Peterson of Detroit, Mich., and Ashland, Miss., a vehicle operator with 927th Logistical Readiness Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.;

  * Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Paxton of Abingdon, Va., an aeromedical evacuation technician with the Air Force Aerospace Medical Center, Brooks City Base, Texas.

  Also slated to attend the ceremony are relatives of legendary airman Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell, whose World War I aircraft — specifically a personal symbol from the plane — was the inspiration for the new medal’s design. airforcetimes.com 10 Jun 07

• Modernizing an old design a challenge for medal makers The designer of the Air Force Combat Action Medal said it was a challenge giving the medal a World War I feel but at the same time modernizing it. Graphic designer Susan Gamble used artwork from photos of Brig. Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell's aircraft to inspire the design of the medal, which was presented for the first time to six Airmen during a ceremony here June 12.  General Mitchell was one of the military's earliest advocates of air power. The medal was created to recognize Airmen engaged in air or ground combat "outside the wire" in a combat zone. This includes members who are under direct and hostile fire or who personally engaged hostile forces with direct and lethal force. Mrs. Gamble, a professional artist and master designer for the U.S. Mint, designed the medal in conjunction with the Army Institute of Heraldry in Washington D.C. Normally a coin designer, Mrs. Gamble, wife of Air Force Col. Mike Gamble, had to overcome many challenges while creating the concept for the medal. She wanted to keep a World War I feel to the medal, while also updating the design. "World War I art has a different style," Mrs. Gamble said. "There are more points and fewer curves, kind of like art deco," she said. "The medals back then were made with a pewter finish, not bright and shiny." After Mrs. Gamble designed three prototypes, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley made the final selection.  He also selected a ribbon made with diagonal stripes. "The diagonal stripe is a contemporary look," Mrs. Gamble pointed out. "The ribbon is what brings the medal into the 21st Century." The diagonal stripe is so rare the heraldry institute officials had difficulty finding a ribbon-making company that could loom the ribbon.  They finally found one in Pennsylvania. "My initial feedback on the medal has been very positive," Mrs. Gamble said. "The diagonal stripe got a lot of attention. Everyone I've shown the medal to has said it has a World War I feel to it, which I'm thrilled about because I thought I would be the only one who could see it. It's old fashioned, yet modern." Charles Mugno, the Institute of Heraldry director, said the medal is very unique. "I think it's one of the greatest medals we've ever designed," Mr. Mugno said. "It's very bold." He said the institute will start mass producing the medal in about three weeks. presszom.com 12 Jun 07
• Airmen receive medals for heroism in face of danger Three Air Force Combat Action Medals and one Airman's Medal was awarded to Eglin Airmen during a ceremony at Nomad Hall Nov. 20 here.  Master Sgt. Noel Murphy, Staff Sgt. Ryan Otero and Senior Airman Aaron Jones, 96th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight, all received the combat action medal for their actions in separate events. Sergeant Murphy was also awarded an Airman's Medal for risking his life to save others when a helicopter plunged into a lake in Iraq while attempting an emergency landing.
  Sgt. Murphy
  Sergeant Murphy was assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Nov. 5, 2004, when a vehicle in front of his was struck by an improvised explosive device. His team quickly assessed the situation, and then proceeded to disarm the original IED they were responding to. Their convoy was hit twice more by small arms fire while returning to base. No one was hurt during these attacks.
  Sgt. Otero
  Sergeant Otero was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat, 82nd Airborne Division, when his team came under sniper fire from anti-Iraqi forces Feb. 2, 2007, while responding to an IED call near the Jabouri Peninsula. During a break in the firefight, Sergeant Otero loaded the robotics into the Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicle and established an over watch position in the turret.
  Sr. Airman Jones
  While supporting a U.S. Army cavalry unit in Iraq, Airman Jones and his team were struck by an IED. After conducting a blast assessment, the team moved on to their original objective. Before reaching their target, they were struck twice more by IEDs, which disabled their joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicle and knocked Airman Jones unconscious. The EOD team engaged in sporadic small arms fire for more than 12 hours until relief could arrive. Eventually, the team returned to base to treat injuries.
  Sgt Murphy
  Sergeant Murphy was also awarded the Airman's Medal for his actions at Haditha Dam Dec. 3, 2006 after a Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter tried to make an emergency landing. Sixteen people in full combat gear were plunged into the cold, 300-foot deep waters of Lake Quadisiya, the dammed up portion of the Euphrates River. Seeing what happened, Sergeant Murphy ran across the helicopter pad narrowly missing the blades from another chopper that was on approach for landing. He scaled the dam to reach the banks below and dove in head-first to start extracting drowning victims.
  The first person he came to was fighting to stay above the water nearly 40 meters from the shore. The individual nearly took Sergeant Murphy under the frigid water with him as they struggled to reach safety. Ignoring his body's cries to stop and warm up, he kept swimming. Repeatedly, Sergeant Murphy dove into the water to help rescue the passengers of the downed helicopter. Despite the frigid water's effects, Sergeant Murphy pressed on because "there were people that needed help." With the help of bystanders, a daisy chain was assembled to help rescue as many people as possible. In the end, 12 of the 16 passengers were rescued. Only eight Airman's Medals have been awarded in 2007. community.emeraldcoast.com 23 Nov 07

Air Force Commendation Medal

• Senator replaces stolen medal Charles Davis was 20 years old when he received a Commendation Medal in 1970, honored by the Air Force for coming up with a good idea -- service "above and beyond the call of duty" that helped to save some American lives. "There was something called a brake shoot on the airplanes," said Davis, who repaired bullet holes in aircraft sheet metal in Phang Rang, Vietnam. "They were messing up and causing some of the planes to crash. I came up with an idea to fix that." Made out of bronze, Davis' Medal of Commendation wasn't worth much money. But it meant something to him. When somebody stole it from his Marion home last Father's Day, Davis figured he'd never get it back. (Dec 02)

• CSAF Honors Sept 11 Heroes  - Ten Air Force members, including Lt. Gen. Paul Carlton Jr., the Air Force surgeon general, received the Airman’s Medal for their contributions on that fateful day. Another eight received the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, while eight others received the Air Force Commendation Medal. One person received the Army Commendation Medal and one other received the Air Force Scroll. Master Sgt. Noel Sepulveda, who received the Airman’s Medal, also received the Purple Heart for injuries he incurred during the attack. The Airmen’s Medal recipients were: Carlton; Lt. Col. Gary W. Holland; Maj. Joseph A. Milner; Chief Master Sgts. Ricky L. Arnold, Paul D. Miller, and John K. Monacio; Senior Master Sgt. Kevin M. Andrews; Master Sgts. Paul R. Lirette and Sepulveda; and Staff Sgt. Gregory D. Fechner. The Meritorious Service Medal recipients were: Col. John S. Baxter; Lt. Cols. Janet Deltuva, Maureen E. Massey and Terry P. Kane; Maj. Michael Moore; Chief Master Sgts. Troy J. McIntosh and Robert Walko; and Tech. Sgt. Randall B. Federspill. Recipients of the Air Force Commendation Medal were: Lt. Col. Matthew D. Swanson; Majs. James G. Cusic and Andrew H. Weaver; Senior Master Sgt. Anthony J. Twitty; Tech. Sgt. Bernard Kimbrough; Staff Sgts. Lisa A. Ducharme and Charles V. Hawkins; and Airman 1st Class Evandra D. Spruell. Lt. Col. William Mitchell received the Army Commendation Medal. (Apr 02)

• Crew nets medals for C-5's return Capt. Zach Zeiner talks with members of the press before men from his C-5 crew received medals. The 10 Travis Air Force Base aircrew who successfully brought their wounded C-5 Galaxy safely back to the ground after it was hit by an Iraqi missile were honored. Air Medals were awarded to Capt. Zach Zeiner, Capt. Steve Radtke, Master Sgt. Geoff Miller and Tech. Sgt. Eric Troutt. Air Force Commendation Medals were awarded to Capt. Jeff Krulick, Tech. Sgt. Reggie Bazemore, Tech. Sgt. Marcus Rettig, Staff Sgt. Jeff Stanhope, Senior Airman John Cooper and Airman Mohammed Seidu. Daily Republic 6 Mar 04

• Lexington airman earns commendation medal Air Force Senior Airman Jaz L. Pope has been decorated with the Air Force Commendation Medal. The medal is awarded to those who demonstrate outstanding achievement or meritorious service in the performance of their duties on behalf of the Air Force. Pope, a unit deployment manager, is assigned to the 314th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.  kentucky.com 21 Jul 04

• Security forces Airmen recognized for valor Three Airmen in the 28th Security Forces Squadron here received medals for their heroism displayed in Iraq in 2005. Senior Master Sergeant Gregory Williams and Master Sergeant Kelly Mixson each earned the Bronze Star Medal, with valor, for their heroism while deployed to Balad Air Base between March and September. Senior Airman Pamela Bolton earned the Air Force Commendation Medal, first oak leaf cluster with valor, for her accomplishments while deployed to Balad AB between February and August. blackhillsbandit.com 5 Jan 06

• Canadian officer garners Air Force medal A Canadian officer, previously assigned to the 21st Operations Support Squadron, returned to the 21st Space Wing Headquarters Building for an award ceremony in her honor. Capt. Teresa Holla is the fourth of 50 Canadian Team Pete members over the past five years to receive a U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal. She is currently the exercise planner in the Exercises, training and development section, North American Aerospace Defense Command. Captain Holla served as the 21st OSS chief of the systems integration section from July 11, 2002, until June 30, 2004. "Her position was particularly critical at that time, as the 21st Operations Group was undergoing heavy upgrades and system changes," said Maj. Jason Gross, 21st OSS operations officer. "She directly supported all 21st SW Space Warning and Space Control squadrons." Captain Holla was recognized for several medal-worthy accomplishments while serving as section chief. She not only streamlined approval processes, eliminating 840 man hours per year; but she played a pivotal role following the system decertification of a Deep Space Sensor. Captain Holla coordinated with various agencies to reduce the range error from 1,480 meters to 100 meters, which allowed the system to be recertified. blackanthem.com 6 May 06

• 914th reservists receive awards for valor in Iraq Reserve Master Sgt's Luann Van Peursem and Joseph Kinney, both assigned to the 914th Logistics Readiness Squadron Niagara Falls ARS, recently received the Air Force Commendation Medals with Valor for placing themselves in harms way to assist two other 914th Airmen injured during an enemy attack on Sather Air Base, Iraq. At approximately 5:30 pm on June 20, the building that both Van Peursem and Kinney were located in was hit by indirect fire from a mortar attack. "We are subject to regular attacks, intended to intimidate us inside the defense perimeter," said Van Peursem. Master Sgt. Kinney said this attack was different from the others they had experienced. "I felt the walls rattle and the explosion was louder than usual, and then I heard yelling outside that individuals were wounded." Master Sgt. Van Peursem knowing she had two staff that were working outside ran to the door and heard cries for help, looking through the smoke at ground level to see Tech. Sgt. Tim Juliano. "At that moment Kinney came over to assist and I went over to Tech. Sgt. Steve Paddison, who also was injured. I didn't know if we were going to be hit again, so I dragged Paddison into a bunker and proceeded to administer immediate first aid to him." Master Sgt. Kinney administered first aid to Juliano after Master Sgt. Van Peursem went to aid Paddison. "I went outside and saw Juliano laid out on the ground. I went to him and assessed the severity of his wounds, and then helped him get into a better position to open his airway," Kinney explained. "Van Peursem came back and I informed her of the wound to Juliano's leg, and I kept pressure on his facial wound, reassuring him that he was okay and everything would be fine." niagara.afrc.af.mil 20 Aug 07
• 914th: Airmen honored for their service Master Sgt. Joseph Kinney doesn’t think he deserves a Medal with Valor for his actions on June 20 while he was stationed in Baghdad. That’s the day he and other members of the 914th Airlift Wing saved the lives of two of their own after a rocket attack outside their building at Balad Air Base. “I’m humbled and honored with a medal, but I wish the situation I’m receiving it for didn’t have to happen,” said Kinney, a Niagara Falls resident and firefighter. “The medal doesn’t make you a hero. To me, anybody who puts on a uniform is a hero.” Kinney, 39, was among four airmen of the 914th honored during a formal military ceremony Saturday morning at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. He and Master Sgt. Luann Van Peursem, 50, received the Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor. Tech. Sgts. Timothy Juliano and Steve Paddison, the two airmen injured during the events of June 20, were awarded the Purple Heart, the oldest honor given in the U.S military. lockportjournal.com 6 Jan 08

• Maxwell trainee receives medal Officer Trainee Christian Pardue was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. He's in training to become an officer at the Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base.  Pardue witnessed a collision between a tractor trailer and a compact car. He was the first person on the scene and rendered assistance to the driver of the car, who was unconscious. He directed someone to call 911 and then proceeded to try and assist the passenger of the car, who suffered severe lacerations to his head and face and was coughing up blood. Pardue and another civilian tried to pull the passenger from the vehicle, but the passenger’s side of the car had taken the brunt of the collision, and the passenger was pinned in. Paramedics soon arrived on scene and rescued the passenger. No one died from the crash. montgomeryadvertiser.com 15 Dec 08

Air Force Cross

Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon

• Expeditionary Service Ribbon honors deployed members Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche has approved award of the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon to recognize servicemembers’ support of air expeditionary force deployments. The ribbon will be awarded to Air Force active-duty, Reserve and Guard members who completed a contingency deployment after Oct. 1, 1999. Hilltop Times  02 Oct 03

• Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon (AFESR)

Air Force Gallant Unit Citation

• Recognition will go to airmen outside of combat operations - Arlington, Va. — Air Force personnel fighting the war on terror may soon have another ribbon to wear, even if their duties have kept them far from Afghanistan. Air Force Secretary James Roche has authorized the Air Force to create the Air Force Campaign Medal and two unit citations, the Gallant Unit Citation (GUC) and the Meritorious Unit Award. Air Force officials are reviewing the new ribbons and expect to make a decision in the next few months on the design and who is authorized to wear them. Individual military services traditionally bestow campaign medals to people or units who have distinguished themselves in battle. However, “historically, the Department of Defense’s criteria for such awards have centered on geography to define the area of combat operations.” “That criteria doesn’t allow us to appropriately recognize our people who contribute directly and significantly to the success of wartime campaigns from outside the area of combat operations.”  Thus, the Air Force Campaign Medal will be given to airmen who are not eligible for a Defense Department campaign medal, “but who have nonetheless directly supported combat operations from a location outside the geographic area of operations,” Roche said. Roche also authorized the Gallant Unit Citation, which will recognize units for significant combat heroism at a level below that required for the Presidential Unit Citation; and the Meritorious Unit Award, which will honor units for their outstanding achievement in direct support of combat operations. None of the new citations will have any point value for promotions. Asked Monday whether the other services intend to authorize similar “out of area” citations or medals for their own personnel, spokesmen for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps said they were unaware of such plans. The Defense Department already has one all encompassing “war on terrorism” award, the National Defense Service medal, authorized in May. The NDS has traditionally been bestowed on all active duty U.S. personnel during wartime, beginning with the Korean War. Every full-time service member on duty since Sept. 11, 2001, is eligible for the current NDS, regardless of where they have serve or in what capacity. Mobilized members of the reserve forces are also eligible. (Ref: Stars and Stripes- Lisa Burgess) (9 Jul 02)

• Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche approved two new medals recognizing units for outstanding heroism in combat and for achievement or service in direct support of combat operations. The Gallant Unit Citation (GUC) and the Meritorious Unit Award (MUA) can be awarded to Air Force active-duty, Reserve and Guard units for actions or service while directly supporting combat operations. The Gallant Unit Citation is awarded to units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States. The action must be while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force on or after Sept. 11, 2001. This ribbon is worn immediately before the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. Subsequent awards will be denoted by oak leaf clusters. Meritorious Unit Awards are awarded to units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding achievement or service directly supporting combat operations for at least 90 continuous days. The military operations must be against an armed enemy of the United States on or after Sept. 11, 2001. This ribbon is worn immediately before the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Subsequent awards will be denoted by oak leaf clusters. Both medals are currently in the design phase, which may take several months before they are ready for wear, AFPC officials said. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service) 12 Apr 04

Air Force Good Conduct Medal

• Good Conduct Medal poised for comeback The Air Force Good Conduct Medal, discontinued by the service in late 2005, is poised for a comeback, and enlisted airmen were happy to hear it. The medal’s reappearance stems from January’s awards summit — a meeting held every four to five years to discuss awards and decorations. There was collective agreement among the personnel office representatives to reinstate the award, Air Force spokesman Capt. Thomas Wenz said. A proposal to that effect is awaiting approval of Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, who is expected to decide on the proposal within 30 days. If the proposal is approved as is, the medal would be retroactively awarded from the date it was discontinued, giving tens of thousands of airmen a shot at the award. Criteria for the medal remain the same, Wenz said. The decision to discontinue the Good Conduct Medal came out of a meeting of the Air Force Uniform Board in October 2005, which decreed that no more GCMs would be awarded, though airmen who had received the award could continue to display them and keep the awards in their records. Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley approved the change. In a Feb. 8, 2006, news release announcing that decision, the Air Force offered this rationale for discontinuing the decoration: “[G]ood conduct is expected, and should not be regarded as exceptional.” However, the medal’s demise rankled many airmen, especially among the enlisted corps, the only airmen eligible for the  Medal. The medal’s historical value was a key factor in the decision to propose its return, Wenz said, adding the reversal is “a part of our efforts to reclaim the heritage of the Air Force. We want people to embrace the heritage of the Air Force, especially our younger troops.” airforcetimes.com 16 May 08
• Air Force Good Conduct Medal Reinstated Air Force officials announced Feb. 11 the reinstatement of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal for enlisted members, effective immediately and retroactive to Feb. 6, 2006, when the medal was discontinued. Airmen who are eligible should see an update automatically in their records on the virtual Military Personnel Flight Web site.  Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley announced the reintroduction of the medal. "This is a great day for the Air Force," said Chief McKinley. "The Air Force Good Conduct Medal has a positive impact on good order and discipline in the unit. It's part of our history and we needed to bring it back to where it rightfully should be, part of our enlisted heritage.  "When an Airman is pinned with their first good conduct medal it's an event they will never forget," he said. "I still remember, vividly, receiving my first Good Conduct Medal."  General Newton echoed Chief McKinley's words. "Bringing this medal back shows the Air Force commitment of being all in when taking care of our Airmen and their families," Gen. Newton said. "This is a great tool for our commanders to recognize deserving Airmen." The return of the medal comes after the secretary of the Air Force approved a recommendation from a January 2008 awards summit co-hosted by representatives of the office of the secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs and the directorate for manpower and personnel. Both directorates contended that the AFGCM, one of the oldest military decorations dating back to World War II, has a long-standing tradition in the Air Force and links Airmen with those who served throughout the history of the service. In addition, Air Force officials solicited input from the field regarding the Good Conduct Medal. "All services present the Good Conduct Medal to those who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, so Airmen will now have the same opportunity for recognition as Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen," said Gen. Newton. "Chief McKinley is exactly right that this is a great day for the Air Force. A time-honored tradition is back." af.mil 12 Feb 09

Air Force Meritorious Unit Award (MUA)

• Recognition will go to airmen outside of combat operations
- Arlington, Va. — Air Force personnel fighting the war on terror may soon have another ribbon to wear, even if their duties have kept them far from Afghanistan. Air Force Secretary James Roche has authorized the Air Force to create the Air Force Campaign Medal and two unit citations, the Gallant Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Award. Air Force officials are reviewing the new ribbons and expect to make a decision in the next few months on the design and who is authorized to wear them. Individual military services traditionally bestow campaign medals to people or units who have distinguished themselves in battle. However, “historically, the Department of Defense’s criteria for such awards have centered on geography to define the area of combat operations.” “That criteria doesn’t allow us to appropriately recognize our people who contribute directly and significantly to the success of wartime campaigns from outside the area of combat operations.”  Thus, the Air Force Campaign Medal will be given to airmen who are not eligible for a Defense Department campaign medal, “but who have nonetheless directly supported combat operations from a location outside the geographic area of operations,” Roche said. Roche also authorized the Gallant Unit Citation, which will recognize units for significant combat heroism at a level below that required for the Presidential Unit Citation; and the Meritorious Unit Award, which will honor units for their outstanding achievement in direct support of combat operations. None of the new citations will have any point value for promotions. Asked Monday whether the other services intend to authorize similar “out of area” citations or medals for their own personnel, spokesmen for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps said they were unaware of such plans. The Defense Department already has one all encompassing “war on terrorism” award, the National Defense Service medal, authorized in May. The NDS has traditionally been bestowed on all active duty U.S. personnel during wartime, beginning with the Korean War. Every full-time service member on duty since Sept. 11, 2001, is eligible for the current NDS, regardless of where they have serve or in what capacity. Mobilized members of the reserve forces are also eligible. (Ref: Stars and Stripes- Lisa Burgess) (9 Jul 02)

• Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche approved two new medals recognizing units for outstanding heroism in combat and for achievement or service in direct support of combat operations. The Gallant Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Award can be awarded to Air Force active-duty, Reserve and Guard units for actions or service while directly supporting combat operations. The Gallant Unit Citation is awarded to units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States. The action must be while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force on or after Sept. 11, 2001. This ribbon is worn immediately before the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. Subsequent awards will be denoted by oak leaf clusters. Meritorious Unit Awards are awarded to units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding achievement or service directly supporting combat operations for at least 90 continuous days. The military operations must be against an armed enemy of the United States on or after Sept. 11, 2001. This ribbon is worn immediately before the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Subsequent awards will be denoted by oak leaf clusters. Both medals are currently in the design phase, which may take several months before they are ready for wear, AFPC officials said. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service) 12 Apr 04

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal

• Airman remembered for helping others - Senior Airman Jason Cunningham, one of seven Americans killed in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan on Monday, was hit by machine-gun fire as he treated wounded soldiers and pulled others to safety, said his commander.  Cunningham was with the 38th Rescue Squadron and was trained as a parachutist, a diver and as a combat medic. Air Force officials awarded him a Purple Heart for his wounds in Afghanistan and the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal for rescue work. (Mar 02)

• CSAF Honors Sept 11 Heroes  - Ten Air Force members, including Lt. Gen. Paul Carlton Jr., the Air Force surgeon general, received the Airman’s Medal for their contributions on that fateful day. Another eight received the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, while eight others received the Air Force Commendation Medal. One person received the Army Commendation Medal and one other received the Air Force Scroll. Master Sgt. Noel Sepulveda, who received the Airman’s Medal, also received the Purple Heart for injuries he incurred during the attack. The Airmen’s Medal recipients were: Carlton; Lt. Col. Gary W. Holland; Maj. Joseph A. Milner; Chief Master Sgts. Ricky L. Arnold, Paul D. Miller, and John K. Monacio; Senior Master Sgt. Kevin M. Andrews; Master Sgts. Paul R. Lirette and Sepulveda; and Staff Sgt. Gregory D. Fechner. The Meritorious Service Medal recipients were: Col. John S. Baxter; Lt. Cols. Janet Deltuva, Maureen E. Massey and Terry P. Kane; Maj. Michael Moore; Chief Master Sgts. Troy J. McIntosh and Robert Walko; and Tech. Sgt. Randall B. Federspill. Recipients of the Air Force Commendation Medal were: Lt. Col. Matthew D. Swanson; Majs. James G. Cusic and Andrew H. Weaver; Senior Master Sgt. Anthony J. Twitty; Tech. Sgt. Bernard Kimbrough; Staff Sgts. Lisa A. Ducharme and Charles V. Hawkins; and Airman 1st Class Evandra D. Spruell. Lt. Col. William Mitchell received the Army Commendation Medal. (Apr 02)

• Awards show RED HORSE has served country with honor
Seven members of the Ohio Air National Guard's 200th RED HORSE Squadron who will be receiving bronze star medals. The seven guardsmen -- Commander Col. H. Dewey Perkins, Lt. Col. Michael Skomrock, Capt. Michael Hrynciw, Sr. Master Sgt. Edward Lacroix, Sr. Master Sgt. Terry Eishen, Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Reed and Master Sgt. Michael Crosser -- are receiving the medals for their "meritorious achievement or service" overseas in Qatar and Afghanistan during the past two years. The unit as a whole, will also be receiving an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for projects done both in the United States and abroad. Port Clinton News Herald 5 Dec 03

• Taft honors area guardsmen After toiling through months of heavy labor under wartime conditions in Southwest Asia, the Ohio Air National Guard 200th RED HORSE Squadron is hauling in honors. The Camp Perry-based group received the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award during a star-studded ceremony Saturday morning, drawing applause from the engineers' families and friends. Seven officers also won individual Bronze Star Medals for their wartime achievements. The local recipients: Col. H. Dewey Perkins of Port Clinton, Capt. Michael Hrynciw of Fremont, Senior Master Sgt. Terry Eishen of Lindsey, Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Reed of Fremont, Master Sgt. Michael Crosser of Port Clinton, Lt. Col. Michael Skomrock and Master Sgt. Edward Lacroix. News Herald 8 Dec 03

• 110th Fighter Wing recognized for bravery The 110th Fighter Wing received its sixth Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. The citation, awarded for the first time to the 110th "with valor," was given for the group's role during Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the subsequent home station performance after their safe return in 2003. battlecreekenquirer.com 5 Dec 05

 Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon

• Polar Airmen earn an 'A' - 12/12/02 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- Airmen with service time in the Arctic Circle are now eligible for a new Overseas Short Tour Ribbon device. A bronze-colored letter "A" device will recognize active-duty, Reserve and Guard members who complete a short tour at latitudes higher than 66 and one-half degrees north. Thule Air Base, Greenland, located 950 miles below the North Pole, is the northernmost U.S. military base and currently the only one within the Arctic Circle boundary. Airmen on active duty Feb. 10, 2002, and after can wear the "A" device, regardless of when they served in the Arctic. The "A" device needs to be centered on the Overseas Short Tour Ribbon officials said. If the wearer has oak leaf clusters, the "A" goes to the wearer's right of them. Only one "A" can be worn. This is the first new device since 1990, when the "M" device -- for contingency support -- became available for wear on the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, said Tech. Sgt. Jeff Simmons, superintendent of awards and decorations at the Air Force Personnel Center here. The new award recognizes the isolation, harsh climate and limited services airmen deal with at extreme northern latitudes. Temperatures around minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit are common at Thule and the nearest "town" is the village of Qaanaaq, 65 miles away. A morale visit to Thule in 2000 by the former commander of Air Force Space Command led to the rekindling of an idea for Arctic recognition, which was submitted in 1999, by former Thule airman, Tech. Sgt. Edward Crowson, now a master sergeant at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, officials said. Crowson proposed an Air Force Arctic service award after hearing about the Navy's Arctic Service Ribbon from some visiting Navy divers. "I never expected anything to come of it and quite frankly, I'm floored," said Crowson who had all but given up on his idea since he'd originally been informed that it had been rejected. "Thule was something totally different than anything I've ever experienced. I'm really glad that this got approved, especially for everybody there now," he said. An Antarctic Service Medal has been given to members of all branches who served there since 1946, but there is no universal award denoting Arctic service. The Navy, Marines and Coast Guard already offer Arctic service decorations that people can earn without being stationed there. The "A" devices are expected to arrive at clothing sales stores and military personnel flights by next summer, said Lt.Col. Mike Goolsby, chief of recognition programs at the Pentagon. "The Arctic service device is part of an ongoing strategic plan to ensure Air Force people get the recognition they deserve," he said. Local personnel flights have more information. (Courtesy of AFPC News Service) (Dec 02)

Air Medal

 Armed Forces Service Medal

• Storm-relief medals authorized The Joint Staff has authorized the award of the Humanitarian Service Medal and Armed Forces Service Medal to soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and members of the Coast Guard — active, Guard and Reserve — who participated in relief operations for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Humanitarian Service Medal is authorized for those who supported immediate relief operations in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas — east of 96 degree west longitude — from Aug. 29 to Oct. 13, 2005. The Armed Forces Service Medal is authorized for those who provided, or are providing, direct support to relief efforts for 30 consecutive days, or 60 nonconsecutive days anywhere in the United States from Aug. 27, 2005, to Feb. 27, 2006. Service members who are awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal may also qualify for the Armed Forces Service Medal, provided their direct support occurred after the qualifying dates for the HSM. The military has categorized disaster relief operations for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as one operation. marinecorpstimes.com 9 Dec 05

• Military, Civilian Medals Approved for Hurricane Relief Work Servicemembers and civilians who took part in Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief efforts may be eligible for a medal. The director of the Joint Staff has approved awarding the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Armed Forces Service Medal for U.S. military personnel. Department of Defense civilians may receive the Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal. To qualify for the HSM, servicemembers must have provided direct support to immediate relief operations for at least one day in the area of eligibility -- east of and including Houston (designated as 96 degrees longitude), Alabama, Louisiana or Mississippi -- from Aug. 29 to Oct. 13, 2005. Servicemembers eligible to receive the AFSM must have provided direct support to relief operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in the continental United States from Aug. 27, 2005, to Feb. 27, 2006 -- minus the specific area and time-period used to qualify for the HSM. If a member receives an HSM for Katrina relief operations, he or she cannot receive a second HSM for Rita. The same applies for the AFSM. However, people who receive the HSM may later qualify for the AFSM if their direct support does not include the dates and actions used in their qualifications for the HSM.To qualify for the AFCSM, civilians must have provided direct support to relief operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in the same area of eligibility and period as the AFSM. military.com 3 Jan 06

Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal

• Military, Civilian Medals Approved for Hurricane Relief Work Servicemembers and civilians who took part in Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief efforts may be eligible for a medal. The director of the Joint Staff has approved awarding the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Armed Forces Service Medal for U.S. military personnel. Department of Defense civilians may receive the Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal. To qualify for the HSM, servicemembers must have provided direct support to immediate relief operations for at least one day in the area of eligibility -- east of and including Houston (designated as 96 degrees longitude), Alabama, Louisiana or Mississippi -- from Aug. 29 to Oct. 13, 2005. Servicemembers eligible to receive the AFSM must have provided direct support to relief operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in the continental United States from Aug. 27, 2005, to Feb. 27, 2006 -- minus the specific area and time-period used to qualify for the HSM. If a member receives an HSM for Katrina relief operations, he or she cannot receive a second HSM for Rita. The same applies for the AFSM. However, people who receive the HSM may later qualify for the AFSM if their direct support does not include the dates and actions used in their qualifications for the HSM.To qualify for the AFCSM, civilians must have provided direct support to relief operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in the same area of eligibility and period as the AFSM. military.com 3 Jan 06

Army Achievement Medal

• Soldier Decorated with Army Achievement Medal (Army Spec. Matthew J. Schmidt has been decorated with the Army Achievement Medal) (Mar 02)
• 3 reservists win medals Sgt. Blanche A. Woffindale of Rochester and Spc. Daniel Zarpentine of Spencerport awarded Army Achievement Medal for service in Afghanistan. Not present for her Army Achievement medal was Spc. Alison R. Kastner. (Dec 02)
• Soldiers receive award for valor Medals awarded to members of 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment for actions taken while under enemy fire in a May 18 battle near Al Hawija, Iraq. The “V” designation denotes valor: 

  • Spc. Billy Barnes — Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with “V” for gunshot wound suffered in firefight, and, after being injured, helping to protect John Sullivan, an embedded journalist traveling with the unit.
  • Spc. Dante Cammarata — Bronze Star Medal with “V” for using his body to shield Barnes from enemy gunfire.
  • Staff Sgt. Scott Eisom — Army Commendation Medal with “V” for securing and protecting enemy prisoners of war.
  • Sgt. Clinton Johnson — Army Commendation Medal with “V” for effectively placing Mk-19 [grenade launcher] fire to protect platoon leaders.
  • Capt. Mario Soto — Bronze Star with “V” for actions in directing the platoon while separated from the battalion and without communications.
  • Sgt. 1st Class Michael Williamson — Bronze Star with “V” for coordinating the successful medical evacuation of Barnes while directing platoon fire against the enemy.
  • Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Wright — Bronze Star with “V” for coming forward to assist in the medical evacuation of Barnes.
  • Spc. John Zagyva — Bronze Star with “V” for initially spotting and firing upon enemy troops. Stars and Stripes 12 Nov 03

• Aviators recognized for Egypt crash mission Six members of Aviation Company, 1st U.S. Army Support Battalion, were awarded Army Achievement Medals for their rescue efforts following the crash of Flash Airlines Flight FSH604 on the morning of Jan. 3. Staff Sgt. Bobby Brown, crew chief, Sgt. Jarrett Nielsen, the team’s flight medic, Warrant Officer 1 Thomas Hamilton, co-pilot. Army Public Affairs 21 Jan 04

• Sgt. Kerri Norman receives medals Sgt. Kerri A. Norman was recently assigned to the 45th Infantry Brigade in Afghanistan with Operation Enduring Freedom. She is stationed at Fort Carson, Colo., with the 66th Military Intelligence Company, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment. She was sent to Bosnia in 2000 for SFOR 7. She joined the National Guard in 2001 as an intelligence analyst for 245MICO. She received two Army commendation medals and three Army Achievement Medals for her intel analysis work. News-Star.com 28 Sep 03

• FR-born Marine a hero A Marine was recently awarded the Army Achievement Medal for saving the lives of two Army Air Force Exchange Service employees’ lives. According to U.S. Marine reports, Staff Sgt. Jonathan S. Lindquist was among a convoy resupplying bases in Iraq when he came upon a series of improvised explosive devices along the route. "I was really surprised," Lindquist said of the award, which typically goes to Army personnel." zwire.com 3 Oct 04

• Corpsmen Earn Army Medals for Joint New Orleans Missions Three Navy corpsmen on duty within the East Bank Branch Health Clinic in downtown New Orleans developed an “exceptional partnership” with the medical staff of the Army’s 82nd Airborne during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and were each awarded the Army Achievement Medal Sept. 13. Chief Hospital Corpsman Shawn Frederick of the Naval Ambulatory Care Clinic (NACC) on the West Bank in New Orleans, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Thomas Santos and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Scott Moore, both of Naval Hospital (NH) Pensacola, Fla., were presented the medals by the 82nd Airborne for their efforts during missions beginning Sept. 6, to clear a nursing home, Tulane and Charity hospitals, and the Superdome. news.navy.mil 20 Sep 05

• Mobile Security Squadron 2 Sailors Receive Army Awards An awards ceremony was held to honor Sailors from Mobile Security Squadron 2, who recently supported Army exercise Bright Star in the Egyptian desert. Army Maj. Efran Delacruz, from the 3rd Transportation Command Element, presented 14 Sailors with the Army Achievement Medal and Army Commendation Medal for “a job well done” while they were deployed to Dukaylah, Egypt, in support of exercise Bright Star. Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SW) John Brooks, a member of Mobile Security Detachment 27’s boat team. Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class John Joyce, a member of Detachment 21. Detachments 21 and 27's primary mission was to provide waterborne security to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) assets in Egypt. Chief Master-at-Arms (SW) Darryl Everett from Detachment 21. Lt. Todd Mills was presented the Army Commendation Medal. news.navy.mil 6 Dec 05

• Arviso Awarded Army Achievement Medal U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Oliver Arviso of the 4/394th Postal Company from Long Beach, Calif., was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for exceptional service while serving in Iraq. blackanthem.com 22 Jan 06

• County man earns combat medal in Iraq Lance Cpl. Clinton Severcool has received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal With Combat V for bravery in the April battle for Husaybah, Iraq. newage-examiner.com 19 Jan 05

• Soldiers nominated for medals after assisting injured Korean motorist Spc. Norman P. Portillo, left, and Spc. Nathan A. Bird, of the 36th Signal Battalion, have been nominated for Army Achievement Medals after assisting an injured South Korean motorist. estripes.com 13 Aug 05

• Army Achievement Medal Spc. Robert Lancaster, right, of Juneau, receives the Army Achievement Medal from Lt. Col. David Osborn, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 297th Infantry Alaska Army National Guard, during an awards ceremony Oct. 8 at Camp Buering, Kuwait. Lancaster is one of approximately 600 battalion soldiers preparing to return home in mid-October after a 15-month deployment. As a civilian, Lancaster works for Alaska Housing Finance Corp. junoempire.com 12 Oct 07

Army Commendation Medal

Army Distinguished Service Medal

• Army awards MooreMart the Distinguished Service Medal The New Hampshire Army National Guard recently presented the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Nashua attorney Paul s. Moore and Carole Moore Biggio, co-founders of MooreMart. The award is the highest civilian award given by the Army. In a surprise visit during the most recent MooreMart "packing day," representatives from the New Hampshire Army National Guard joined dozens of MooreMart volunteers to thank the Moore family for the 4,000 care packages sent to more than 500 soldiers over the last 2 1/2 years. nashuatelegraph.com 6 Nov 06

Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal

• Ceremonies honor Korean War author, vet (The Army recently honored a retired World War II and Korean War veteran whose 29-year-old firsthand account of fighting in Korea, "This Kind of War," is required reading for all soldiers assigned to Korea and a recommended selection on the Army chief of staff's professional reading list. Army Secretary Thomas E. White handed Lt. Col. T.R. Fehrenbach the Distinguished Civilian Service Award) (Jun 02)
• Army Honors Man Who Exposed Fake Records B.G. "Jug" Burkett received the military branch's Distinguished Civilian Service Award on Monday from former President George H.W. Bush at the Bush Library in College Station. "He exposed a mass distortion of history that cost taxpayers billions of dollars" in undeserved veteran benefits, said John W. Nicholson, an undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "He returned to the Vietnam veterans their good name." In the 1980s, Burkett began researching to find out who fought in Vietnam and debunk some of the myths about veterans. In a latter book, he and a co-author showed that 75 percent of those killed were volunteers, not draftees. Mercury News 2 Dec 03

• Former NW Ayer Copywriter Receives Army Medal for `Be All You Can ... Earl Carter, a former N.W. Ayer copywriter who created the Army's "Be All You Can Be" theme and advertising strategy, received the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal during a U.S. Army Recruiting Command annual awards banquet Jan. 23 in Nashville, Tenn. Yahoo News - 11 Feb 2003

Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal

• Military Honors The following people received awards from B Co. 2/127th Infantry of the Wisconsin Army National Guard in Green Bay. They are: Spc. Nicholas Pichette of Sturgeon Bay received the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal. Spc. Jason Smits of Suamico received the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal and Sgt. James Elie of Green Bay received the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal. greenbaypressgazette.com 4 Jul 05

 Army Superior Civilian Service Medal

•  Grand Island native receives Superior Civilian Service medal Marilyn (Bell) Richardson was presented the Superior Civilian Service Medal for her service with the United States Army Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence. The award was her second, an unusual feat for a civilian employee. Richardson was also presented with a flag that was flown over the Pentagon in honor of her 35 years of service. theindependent.com 3 Nov 04

• American, European-African-Middle Eastern and Asiatic-pacific Campaign Medals (Executive Order 9265 –Nov 6, 1942)

• Antarctica Service Medal

  • Broken Link - For information purposes only:

    • Army gives 6 medals to WWII cook (Carmelo Mangano earned the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Antarctica Service Medal and the Honorable Service Lapel Medal) (Nov 01)

• Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Executive Order 10163 – Sep 25, 1950) Amendment (13013- Aug 6, 1996) (PDF file)

• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Executive Order 10977 – Dec 4, 1961) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for El Salvador Armed Forces Service Medal - Established on January 11, 1996, and awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who, after June 1, 1992, have participated in a U.S. military operation deemed to be a significant activity encountering no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action. Areas of activity include foreign territory on which troops have actually landed or are present and specifically deployed for the operation, adjacent water areas in which ships are operating, patrolling, or providing direct support of the operation and the air space above and adjacent to the area in which operations are being conducted. No more than one medal can be awarded to any one service member. Subsequent awards are denoted by 3/16" bronze service stars. A 3/16" silver star is worn instead of five bronze stars. Armed Forces Expetionary Medal (List of USAF Approved Areas) (USAF Website)

• Armed Forces Service Medal

  • Armed Forces Service Medal (List of  USAF Approved Areas) (USAF Website)

• Battle Streamers

• Bronze Star

• Campaign Medals (Foxfall)

• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Distinguished Public Service Medal (No info available)

• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Outstanding Public Service Medal (No info available)

China Service Medal

• Veteran of WW II and Korean War awarded seven medals for his service Berryville resident Roy Newborn right, along with wife Joi Newborn, holding picture of a young Roy, and Lt. Colonel Steve Gray were all smiles Jan. 31 after Gray officially awarded Newborn with seven medals for his service in both World War II and the Korean War. Medals awarded to Newborn include: China Service; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign; American Campaign; National Defense Service; United Nations Korean; Korean Service; and World War II Victory. eurekaspringstimesecho.com 7 Feb 06

Civilian Awards

• Army

• Civilian Service Medal created (Jan 98)

• Coast and Geodetic Service Ribbons (Executive Order 9590 – Jul 21, 1945)

• US Coast Guard awards two area Bay guardsmen for saving several people The U.S. Coast Guard is honoring two Bay Area guardsman at the San Francisco International Airport today with separate awards for their efforts that helped save more than 50 people in the last two years. Lt. Commander Eric Smith is receiving a Distinguished Flying Cross, the country's oldest military aviation award, for his efforts in rescuing 39 people during the Pacific Northwest floods of 2007. Petty Officer Robert Custer is receiving the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, an award established by former U.S. Secretary of Treasury Douglas Dillon in 1964, for his efforts in rescuing 26 people from a grounded yacht in San Mateo in December. mercury news.com 30 Jan 09

• World War II hero finally get his medal It took six decades, but George Varner finally is receiving recognition for saving a man's life during World War Two. The Grapevine resident was a 19-year-old Coast Guard seaman in the Philippines ands when a small boat containing U-S Army troops began taking on water. Most of the men went into a small launch, but Varner and another man dove in to help two men who were struggling in the water. Varner received the Coast Guard Commendation Medal. kltv.com 28 Nov 04

Coast Guard Medal

• ‘ Perfect Storm ’ heroes receive medals for saving lives The United States Coast Guard honored the crew of the Cutter Tamaroa who rescued four Air National Guardsmen when their ocean-rescue helicopter ran out of fuel and crashed 75 miles off Nantucket Island during the so-called "No-Name Storm" of Halloween 1991. Among the honorees is Petty Officer Robert Jackson. Jackson and 18 other sailors received the Coast Guard Medal, the highest military award for valor outside of combat. Portsmouth Herald, NH - Apr 03

• Rescuers awarded medals for valor The Coast Guard awarded one of its highest medals for heroism yesterday to a rescue swimmer who plunged into an icy chemical spill in the ocean off Virginia a year ago to save six seamen from the sunken tanker Bow Mariner. Petty Officer 3rd Class Dave Foreman received the Coast Guard Medal for entering the 44-degree ocean and helping the six exhausted men from a life raft into a hovering rescue helicopter. Foreman, the rescue swimmer, asked his superiors for permission to enter the water, which was full of spilled ethanol and bunker oil. For 33 minutes, he loaded all six survivors into the basket so they could be lifted to safety. Other members of the helo crew said Foreman appeared to succumb briefly to the chemical fumes at several points during the rescue. timesdispatch.com 23 Feb 05

• Petty Officer Receives DHS Valor Award Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Steven M. Ruh has been selected to receive the Department of Homeland Security Secretary's Award for Valor. Ruh will be recognized for his heroic rescue of a drowning woman in the summer of 2006. On August 15, 2006, Coast Guard Station Oswego received a call from the local 911 operator stating that two persons had been swept into Lake Ontario by a large wave. The Coast Guard dispatched a 47' motor lifeboat to assist the local fire department already on scene. The victims were being pounded by large waves at the base of a cliff on the rocky shoreline. Upon arrival, the boat crew was forced to contend with 8-10 foot seas and winds in excess of 25 knots. With deteriorating weather conditions, the boat crew quickly developed a plan. The rocky shore made it impossible to get the 47' rescue boat close enough to make the rescue. Petty Officer Steven M. Ruh, the designated rescue swimmer, entered the water to rescue the trapped victims. Through 8-10 foot waves, Petty Officer Ruh swam over 100 feet to the nearly unconscious victim. Fighting the pounding surf, he positioned his own body between the victim and the rocks as he quickly placed a life jacket on the victim and began the difficult swim back to the boat. Once aboard the boat, the crew assessed the injuries of the victim and began searching for the second victim. The crew was unable to locate the second victim. Suffering from shock, a broken leg, severe lacerations and losing consciousness, the first victim was transported to shore and an awaiting ambulance. The deceased second victim was later recovered by a New York State Police helicopter. For his heroic actions Petty Officer Ruh was awarded the Coast Guard Medal. military.com 9 Dec 07

Coast Guard Commendation Medal

• Coast Guard Pilot Honored Coast Guard rescue pilot from Air Station Savannah has been recognized for his bravery. Lt. Dale Taylor was awarded the Coast Guard Medal for his heroic action during a rescue mission in Key West, Florida. Taylor and his crew saved the lives of two people stranded in the ocean, after their small sailboat was pounded by 15-foot seas. Taylors' crew, Lt. Bill Strickland and petty officer Brian Jerritt, received the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for their work during the rescue. wtoctv 19 Mar 04

• United States Coast Guard Crew to Receive Medals for Valour Rescue The Coast Guard helicopter crew that rescued one of the crew membersfrom the tug Valour 65-miles off thecoast of Myrtle Beach, S.C., will receive an award for their life-saving efforts. Lt. Patrick Lineberry and Petty Officer 2nd Class David Fanelli will both receive the Coast Guard Commendation medal in recognition of their actions during the dramatic case. The Valour, a 135-foot sea-going tug, was struggling in 20-foot seas and fierce, 70-knot winds when itbegan taking on water and requested assistance Jan. 18, 2006. Thehelicoptersearch and rescue crew immediately launched from Air Facility Charleston, S.C., and traveled 120-miles through sever thunderstorms tofind the Valour. The rescue swimmer was lowered into the dark and violent seas once the aircrew was on scene. The aircrew spotted one crewmember in the water withouta survival suit and out of reach from the sinking Valour.The rescue swimmer successfully battled gusting winds andpounding surf to reach the crewman and hoist him to the safety of the helicopter. The helicopter crew then vectored the tug Justine Foss to the scene to render assistance to the remaining crew members of the Valour. The aircrew was forced to fly through heavy thunderstorms, severe turbulence and low visibilityto reach the nearest airport before reaching a critical fuel state. verticalmag.com 28 Feb 07

• Medals for Freeway Lifesavers Traffic at midnight in Los Angeles is not unheard of. For Coast Guard Seaman Alberto Castilleja and Coast Guard Fireman Sean Reisner it was getting frustrating.  On the night of December 15, 2007 they were on the 405 freeway heading home after a 14-hour law enforcement patrol aboard the Coast Guard cutter Halibut. It looked as though they were going to be in bumper-to-bumper traffic for at least another hour. "At first I thought it was just another accident. People were just driving by." said Fireman Reisner, age 19 of Gloucester, Va.  However, as the two neared the crumpled car in the middle of the busy freeway they both realized there was someone still inside. Time was short as flames began to engulf the engine compartment. "We had to pull him out, the car was catching on fire," said Castilleja. They both could feel the rush of air as cars passed within feet of them. While Castilleja attempted to pull the driver out, Reisner used a fire extinguisher from a passing motorist to put down the flames. The driver was wedged underneath the steering wheel and dashboard. "He was in there tight, but both of us were able to pull him out through the window," said Castilleja. They provided first aid until the highway patrol and paramedics arrived. For their heroic actions and placing themselves in harms way they were both awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal. military.com 25 Jan 08

Cold War Medal

• DoD decides not to create Cold War medal - The Department of Defense will not be creating a Cold War Service medal, and Army officials said any commemorative medals made by private vendors are unauthorized on the military uniform Jan 02

• Cold War Medal (Ref: email Scott Laird)

• Cold War Recognition Certificate

• Les congressmen US au garde-à-vous instituent la Médaille de la guerre froide According to a story in the Russian newspaper Novosti, the US Congress has approved the establishment of a Cold War Victory Medal. Apparently, it was part of the defence appropriation bill. The Secretary of Defence has been tasked with the design and production of the medal which will be awarded to all US servicemen for 6 months service during the Cold War period. Article in French. armees.com 12 May 06

  • New medal for American Uniform Not so long ago the U.S. Congress unanimously voted for the institution of a Cold War Victory Medal. To be honest, when I heard about this from a colleague, I thought he was joking because the whole idea seemed utterly ridiculous. Later, when I found out that this was true, I still felt perplexed for a long time - what could explain this yearning to put one more medal on the American uniform for a remote war, and a cold one for that matter? And why institute it now, and not right after the disintegration of the USSR? Quite a bit of time has gone by since then. Why don't Italians go for a medal for the victory in the Gallic war? It would be more logical because ancient Gaul was a site of a real war. There could be several ways to explain why the U.S. has decided to go for the medal now. Maybe Washington, thinking that Moscow has become too independent, has decided to remind it who came out the winner in the confrontation last time. Or, maybe it wants to uplift the spirit of the American nation. In recent years, having won militarily the first war in Iraq, the U.S. then sustained a disgraceful moral and political defeat, leaving Saddam Hussein's political opponents, who naively hoped for U.S. help, at the dictator's mercy. The second Iraqi war has been even more shameful - having occupied the country (under a false pretext), the Americans have proved unable to control it. Finally, it is not ruled out that a new war is in the making, now against Iran. It will be even dirtier, and will take a bigger toll on innocent lives, considering that Washington is seriously debating the use of nuclear weapons during a new military operation. The third version is perhaps the most probable, and human - Congressmen simply want to show off their new medal to their wives, secretaries, and lovers. The attitude to the Congress decision depends on which version is the right one. It may be perceived with humor, or in real earnest. The first two versions are not amusing. If the U.S. is serious about exerting even indirect pressure on Russia, it is making a political mistake. As I said, the train has already left the station - today's Russia is not what it was yesterday. Whatever Washington says, the Kremlin will defend its interests and its views on both global problems and democracy at home. If the U.S. is trying to raise the spirit of the Americans, then that's its own business. But this effort is not likely to succeed, especially if the Bush Administration gets involved in a war with Iran. Finally, it's high time to clear up the main question. The U.S. did not win a Cold War against the USSR. The USSR lost it to the U.S. These are different things. Decay and inefficiency were genetically programmed into the Communist system. For this reason, its disintegration started at birth. Only the Soviets (councils) were a peculiar form of democracy, but Lenin had completely emasculated the Soviet system by subjugating all government bodies to the Bolshevik Party. The Soviets died for good after the suppression of the well-known Kronstadt uprising in 1921. It would be fair to confer the U.S. medal on Lenin, albeit posthumously. Krushchev deserves it in an equal measure for exposing Stalin's personality cult, and thereby depriving the nation of its ideological support. Finally, Gorbachev surely deserves it as well, although he was not guided by Western radio voices, these Cold War champions. He dreamt of "socialism with a human face," and was drawn to Euro Communism rather than Western democracies. But having let the genie out of the bottle, he couldn't stuff it back in. Russia followed its own road independently. There are Cold War heroes in the U.S. as well. Take Zbigniew Brzezinski, who once told the French press how he drew the USSR into the Afghan venture, which proved suicidal for the Kremlin. But the end was sad not only for the Soviet Union, but also for the United States. Trained by the CIA for fighting the Russians in Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden is responsible for the September 11 tragedy in New York. It's a big question whether Brzezinski should be awarded or punished. But if the U.S. Congress opted for the medal, it will certainly find its way to the chest of the heroes. en.rian.ru 19 May 06

 Combat Action Ribbon

Congressional Gold Medals

• Paralegal returns from Iraq with new call sign, medal A paralegal with the 50th Space Wing Judge Advocate Office came home from his recent deployment to Iraq with a new call sign and a new medal.  Tech. Sgt. Daniel Velarde earned the name "High Speed" for his performance while deployed as part of Multinational Force Iraq's Task Force 134. He also earned a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, making him only the second mid-level Air Force NCO in Task Force 134 to receive the prestigious award. Sergeant Velarde's deployment began at the American embassy in Baghdad's International Green Zone, where he was in charge of six other paralegals in the joint-service Combined Review and Release Board. The job varied from one day to the next. "We handled detainee boards," he explained. "We would gather evidence, file it and make sure photos and evidence were marked appropriately." Detainees included Iraqi insurgents and third-country nationals suspected of attacking Americans and coalition members and planting roadside improvised explosive devices. He and other servicemembers would also escort Iraqi members of the board, who in turn decided whether to detain individuals based on the evidence gathered. During Sergeant Velarde's brief tenure, the board conducted reviews for more than 9,000 detainees. He also had the chance to watch the nascent Iraqi justice system in action during the trial of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. schriever.af.mil 1 Jun 07

• Best-selling Author Earns Superior Public Service Award from the Navy Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England presents author James Bradley the Department of the Navy Superior Public Service Award for his contributions in keeping alive the history of the Navy and Marine Corps. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael Hagee was also on hand to congratulate the best-selling author. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Craig P. Strawser. (RELEASED)

   

• Atsugi IT director earns Navy medal for savings Steven Miller, regional information technology supervisor at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, is the recipient of the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award. estripes.com 22 Nov 05

   Navy Awards Singer Toby Keith Superior Public Service Medal The Department of the Navy gave the Navy Superior Public Service Award to country music singer Toby Keith Oct. 7 at a concert outside of Washington, D.C. Wounded service members were special guests at the concert and some were present during the awards presentation backstage. Rear Adm. Samuel Locklear, director of the OPNAV Staff programming division, presented the award to Keith backstage prior to the concert. He said that the award is a prestigious one, given by the former Secretary of the Navy, now Deputy Secretary of Defense, Gordon R. England. He said the award is only given to civilians who make a difference in the day-to-day lives of American troops. “When a true patriot celebrity comes forward and can continue telling the rest of America how wonderful our troops are, the kind of work they are doing, and stay behind them when the going gets tough, is really a super thing,” Locklear said. For the last five years, Keith has been touring around the world in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bosnia and Kosovo. He said he designates 17 days a year to the troops, along with his visits to Walter Reed and Bethesda military hospitals. news.navy.mil 11 Oct 06

Distinguished Federal Civilian Service

• Distinguished Federal Civilian Service Medal (Executive Order 10717 – Jun 27, 1957)  

Distinguished Flying Cross

• Broken Link - For information purposes only:

  • Spielberg awarded Medal for Distinguished Public Service  

Distinguished Service Cross

Distinguished Service Medal

Foreign Awards to US Citizens

• Gallant Unit Citation

• Spec Ops unit honored for OIF gallantry The 352nd Special Operations at RAF Mildenhall, England, has been honored with the  for its roll in the opening weeks of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 352nd joins a select list of Air Force units to receive award, including the 16th Special Operations Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla., and 919th Special Operations Wing, Duke Field, Fla. The Mildenhall unit’s award covers operations from Feb. 12 to May 12, 2003. During that time, the 352nd helped open the northern front of Iraqi Freedom, flying in elements of the Army’s 10th Special Forces Group to Kurdish-held locations and setting the stage for the arrival of conventional Air Force and Army units. Because Turkey had denied the U.S. permission to fly into Iraq from Turkish airspace, the 352nd’s MC-130H Combat Talons II had to reach Kurdish strongholds on March 22, 2003 by flying at low levels across Iraq, at times taking heavy enemy fire. The mission became known as Operation Ugly Baby, after an Army NCO saw the mapped flight route and declared, “Boy, that is an ugly baby.” The citation is presented for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after Sept. 11, 2001, according to the Air Force’s award standards. The citation requires a lesser degree of gallantry, determination and esprit de corps than that required for the Presidential Unit Citation. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Silver Star which is awarded for individual gallantry and heroism of high degrees, including risk of life in action. airforcetimes.com 5 Mar 07

Global War on Terrorism Medal

• Life-Saving Service, Lighthouse Service, Revenue Cutter Service Personnel who were awarded the Gold Life-Saving Medal (USCG Website) (Apr 02)
• Coxswain Bernie WebberRemembered as a humble hero The Coast Guardsman who orchestrated the rescue of 32 men from the stricken tanker Pendleton in 1952, and in so doing, gained a place in U.S. maritime history, has died.  Warrant Officer Bernard C. “Bernie” Webber was 80. During a fierce blizzard on Feb. 18, 1952, Station Chatham dispatched one lifesaving crew to attend to the tanker Fort Mercer, and Mr. Webber was sent to help the crew of the Pendleton.  He assembled an unlikely team and crossed the Chatham Bar into mountainous seas in the 36500, a wooden motor lifeboat; the first ocean wave to strike the boat nearly caused it to founder, breaking the windshield and sweeping the compass away. With crewmen Richard Livesey and Irving Maske at the bow and engineer Andrew Fitzgerald in the engine room, Mr. Webber maneuvered the lifeboat close to the towering wreck, allowing crewmen to jump aboard, one by one from a Jacob’s ladder.  Of the 33 men aboard the stern section of the tanker, 32 were taken safely aboard the rescue boat.  One man was crushed to death during the rescue, an image that Mr. Webber said haunted him for many years. No one could explain how the crippled lifeboat made it back across the Chatham Bar. Mr. Webber said he was certain that there was a divine hand on the tiller that night.  He and his crew received the Treasury Department’s Gold Lifesaving Medal for what has been called the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history.  Mr. Webber became an overnight hero, a role he played reluctantly.  At least in the public eye, the Pendleton rescue eclipsed the remainder of Mr. Webber’s distinguished career. capecodchronicle.com 29 Jan 09
• Aloha teen, deceased in ocean resuce attempt, to receive Gold Lifesaving Medal The Coast Guard has posthumously awarded a Gold Lifesaving Medal to Ross Barfuss, a 16-year-old teenager from Aloha, Oregon, for his unselfish and heroic actions despite imminent personal danger. Barfuss died while attempting to rescue a child who was caught in heavy ocean surf near Cutler, Oregon, in March of 2008. bendweekly.com 19 Mar 09

Gold Medal of Remembrance

• Good Conduct Medals (Foxfall)

Persian Gulf War Medals (Ed Emering) (Mar 02)

• Gulf War Medals (GulfLinks)

• Gulf War Medals - Some of the medals  US military personnel could have been awarded as a result of service during the Gulf War are: The medals are: National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Liberation of Kuwait (Saudi Arabia), and Liberation of Kuwait (Kuwait).  The South West Asia Service Medal (SWASM) was given until December 1995.  There were three Campaigns, the last one, Cease-fire Campaign, ran from April 1991 to December 1995.  The continuing overflights in the south, called Southern Watch qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFSM).  Subsequent operations in the south (Desert Fox etc.) also qualified.  In the north, Operation Provide Comfort II ( Jun 91- Dec 96) rolled over to Northern Watch in January 1997.  From the ending of the SWASM in December 1995 to the awarding of the AFSM in January 1997, there was no medal awarded until this past fall (Sep 99).  Operation Provide Comfort II personnel (Dec 95-Dec 96) now qualify for the Armed Forces Service Medal.  In 1993 the US accepted the Kuwaiti Kuwait Liberation Medal (apparently the issue was that it came in 5 classes/degrees).  The Kuwaiti Medal ran to August 1993 as opposed to the Saudi Arabia medal for the Liberation of Kuwait, which ended in Feb 91. (Ref: Paul Skvarka  - Note: Paul deployed to Operation Provide Comfort I and worked in Southern Turkey/Northern Iraq from April to June 1991, and qualified for the SWASM with one campaign star and the Humanitarian Service Medal).  

• Broken Link - for information purposes only - Gulf War Commemorative Medal  A 60mm Desert Storm Commemorative medal was issued by Torii Station Okinawa to those individuals, who worked in support roles during the Gulf War. (Ref: Ed Emering)

• The Most Misundertood Medal (Humanitarian Service Medal) (Soldiers Online)

• Humanitarian Service Medal (List of USAF Approved Areas) (USAF Website)

• Storm-relief medals authorized The Joint Staff has authorized the award of the Humanitarian Service Medal and Armed Forces Service Medal to soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and members of the Coast Guard — active, Guard and Reserve — who participated in relief operations for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Humanitarian Service Medal is authorized for those who supported immediate relief operations in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas — east of 96 degree west longitude — from Aug. 29 to Oct. 13, 2005. The Armed Forces Service Medal is authorized for those who provided, or are providing, direct support to relief efforts for 30 consecutive days, or 60 nonconsecutive days anywhere in the United States from Aug. 27, 2005, to Feb. 27, 2006. Service members who are awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal may also qualify for the Armed Forces Service Medal, provided their direct support occurred after the qualifying dates for the HSM. The military has categorized disaster relief operations for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as one operation. marinecorpstimes.com 9 Dec 05

• Military, Civilian Medals Approved for Hurricane Relief Work Servicemembers and civilians who took part in Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita relief efforts may be eligible for a medal. The director of the Joint Staff has approved awarding the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Armed Forces Service Medal for U.S. military personnel. Department of Defense civilians may receive the Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal. To qualify for the HSM, servicemembers must have provided direct support to immediate relief operations for at least one day in the area of eligibility -- east of and including Houston (designated as 96 degrees longitude), Alabama, Louisiana or Mississippi -- from Aug. 29 to Oct. 13, 2005. Servicemembers eligible to receive the AFSM must have provided direct support to relief operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in the continental United States from Aug. 27, 2005, to Feb. 27, 2006 -- minus the specific area and time-period used to qualify for the HSM. If a member receives an HSM for Katrina relief operations, he or she cannot receive a second HSM for Rita. The same applies for the AFSM. However, people who receive the HSM may later qualify for the AFSM if their direct support does not include the dates and actions used in their qualifications for the HSM.To qualify for the AFCSM, civilians must have provided direct support to relief operations for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in the same area of eligibility and period as the AFSM. military.com 3 Jan 06

• Comfort Crew to Receive Humanitarian Medal for Hurricane Relief Efforts The Joint Staff authorized the Humanitarian Service Medal for service members who participated in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief operations. National Naval Medical Center Sailors who deployed with USNS Comfort are eligible for the Humanitarian Service Medal. Sailors provided medical assistance and aid in Pascagoula, Miss., and New Orleans, La. Comfort deployed Sept. 2 to aid Hurricane Katrina victims. The 700-member crew arrived in Pascagoula Sept. 9 and treated over 1,800 patients in 10 days. The ship then set sail to New Orleans. During its 10 days in New Orleans, Comfort crewmembers worked with civilian physicians to treat over 200 trauma patients. Comfort returned to its homeport in Baltimore, Md., Oct. 13. dcmilitary.com 12 Jan 06

Iraq Campaign Medal

• Iraqi Campaign Medal Public Law 108-234, signed into law on May 28, 2004, authorized separate campaign medals for members of the uniformed services who participate in Operation Enduring Freedom and to members of the uniformed services who participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom.    Some interpret this law to mean there will be separate campaign medals for the Afghanistan Campaign and for the Iraqi Campaign. We will report updates as they become available. Eligibility: Subject to limitations as prescribed by the President and by the Secretaries of the military departments and subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense. Design of the medal and design approval will probably take a year or more. Image courtesy of Ed Emering Nov 04

   

• Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) -  President Bush signed the Executive Order authorizing this new medal. The final design has been approved and the US Army Institute of Heraldry is working with the appropriate contractors to produce the ribbons and planchets. It is anticipated that the medal will be available for issue by May/June 2005.  iraqwarveterans.org Feb 05

   

• New Campaign Medals Recognize Iraq, Afghanistan Service The Defense Department announced the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Iraq Campaign Medal for military members who directly support Operation Enduring Freedom between Oct. 24, 2001, and a date to be determined in the future or Operation Iraqi Freedom between March 19, 2003, and some future date.  DoD Announces Criteria for Two New Campaign Medals

   

• Stars not authorized for OIF, OEF medals During recent visits to stateside installations, two top Marine leaders repeatedly fielded questions about whether or not star devices are authorized for wear on Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals to mark multiple tours, Marine officials said recently. Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, are encouraging leaders to clarify the issue among Marines. Marine Administrative Messages 172/05 and 173/05 address the wear of the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal respectively. Both messages state stars are not authorized for either medal. Marine Administrative Message 172/05 for the Iraq Campaign Medal states Marines must have participated in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March 19, 2003. Iraq's area of eligibility encompasses all land and airspace within the country to include a contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles. Marines must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in order to receive the medal, with few exceptions. MARADMIN 173/05 for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal states Marines must have participated in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom since Oct. 24, 2001. Afghanistan's area of eligibility encompasses all land area and airspace within the country. Marines must be assigned, attached or mobilized to a unit operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days in order to receive the medals, with few exceptions as well. "Marines want to be recognized for how many times they have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan," Mastriano said. "Currently, there is no provision that denotes subsequential tours to Iraq and Afghanistan." For service stars to be a part of the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals for Marines, the Headquarters Marine Corps Military Awards Branch must approve the change, he said. okinawa.usmc.mil 19 Jan 07

• Joint Meritorious Unit Award
  • Joint Meritorious Unit Award - Joint Task Force SHINING HOPE - Joint Meritorious Unit Award: This unit award was approved by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for members assigned to Headquarters, Joint Task Force-SHINING HOPE, Einsiedlerhof, Germany for the period 3 April 1999 to 1 July 1999. Humanitarian Service Medal: The Humanitarian Service Medal was approved for personnel directly supporting Operation SHINING HOPE and identified in the Operation SHINING HOPE personnel listing, during the period 3 April 1999 to 5 Jun 1999. The by-name listing of personnel has been provided to the Components (USAFE, USAREUR, MARFOREUR and NAVEUR). (Ref: HQ United States European Command Awards and Decoration FAQ, 29 Oct 99) (Thanks Paul Skvarka)
  • Joint Meritorious Unit Award - Joint Task Force NOBLE ANVIL - Joint Meritorious Unit Award: This unit award was approved by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for members assigned to Headquarters, Joint Task Force-NOBLE ANVIL, Naples, Italy for the period 31 January 1999 to 20 July 1999. Other awards members assigned to JTF-NA may be eligible for if criteria is met: Kosovo Campaign Medal (with Bronze Service Stars) and the NATO Medal for Kosovo (90 days in Italy). (Ref: HQ United States European Command Awards and Decoration FAQ, 29 Oct 99) (Thanks Paul Skvarka)

  • Joint Meritorious Unit Award (List of USAF Approved Areas) (USAF Website)

• Separate medals for Afghan and Iraq campaigns President George W. Bush ordered separate medals to be issued to honor US soldiers who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism medal previously accorded to troops involved in both campaigns. In an executive order signed this week, Bush declared that "the Afghanistan Campaign Medal shall be awarded to members of the uniformed services of the United States who serve or have served in Afghanistan or contiguous air space, as defined by such regulations, on or after October 24, 2001, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense." He also created a separate Iraq Campaign Medal for troops serving in Iraq or in its adjoining waters or air space on or after March 19, 2003. Bush declared that troops are eligible only to receive either an Iraq or Afghanistan campaign medal or the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. "No member shall be entitled to the award of more than one of these three medals for the same period of service," the executive order stipulated. However, soldiers who have already qualified for the war on terrorism medal will remain eligible for that honor, it noted. The Iraq and Afghanistan medals may also be awarded posthumously, according to the November 29 decree. timesofindia.inidatimes.com 01 Dec 04

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

• 218th Brigade receives national military honor One of the nation's highest honors for a military unit has been awarded to the S.C. National Guard's 218th Brigade Combat Team for its role in Afghanistan. The Joint Meritorious Unit Award, presented by the Defense Department's Joint Chiefs of Staff, went to members of the brigade's Headquarters Company. That unit was the command element of Task Force Phoenix VI, which was responsible for advising and training the Afghan army and police from May 2007 through April 2008. heraldonline.com 12 May 09

Joint Service Commendation Medal

• Airmen get medal for Somalia Action  (Mar 99)

• Pineville man receives medals 30 years late Donald Ray Hudson picked up a Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, second award, Army of Occupation Medal with Berlin Airlift device, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star and one silver service star, Combat Infantry Badge 1st Award and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with device (1960), in addition to the Purple Heart with one bronze oak leaf cluster. The Town Talk 9 Jan 03

• Nanuet man cited for bravery in Iraq When Sgt. Eddie Boeringer's mother found out her son had received a Joint Service Commendation Medal for his bravery during an ambush in Iraq, she cried. On April 8, while the Marine was providing security to coalition forces traveling from the Coalition Provisional Authority Palace to Camp Cuervo in Baghdad, a large group of men on the roadside carrying weapons started shooting at the four-vehicle convoy. According to Boeringer's citation, which he received in May, he got out of his unprotected vehicle and returned fire. Boeringer and other members of the convoy then pursued the group of men, who retreated next to a building with tall grass. The end result was nine enemy dead and zero casualties for the coalition. thejournalnews.com 6 Jul 04