Army Achievement Medal
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Example Display Recognition
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • Issue Regulations
      • Who May Apply
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How To Apply For This Display Recognition and/or Medal
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Other Display Recognitions
      • Army Service Websites
      • Example Display Recognition:
        Actual Size: 8 1/2 x 11



        Who May Apply

        • Veteran recipients
        • Active Duty recipients
        • Family Members of recipients
        • Estate Inheritors

        Display Types

        You have several display types to choose from:
        Black & White (No Color)
        Heavy Bond Enclosure

        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        Colors: Regal, Black, Navy
        Trimmed inAppearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements

        You must submit the following:

      • An unaltered photocopy of your DD-214, WD AGO, NAVPERS, NG or other military issued document clearly displaying your award of the Army Achievement Medal.
      • Contact The War Library if you do not have a DD-214, WD AGO, NAVPERS, NG or other Report of Separation: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone).
      • NOTICE

        This Display Recognition is available ONLY to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility. (See "Issue Requirements"). To obtain either a Display Medal or a Display Recognition for your authorized award you will be required to provide military-issued documentation authorizing your award. There are no exceptions.

        WARNING!
        You must NOT submit a military issued document or photocopy that:

        • has been altered in any way by you after
          the original's official issue
        • contains information or corrections or
          additions that you entered
        • lists awards or training you knowingly did not receive
        • contains highlighting, colorizing or other markings you entered

        Be advised that on request any knowingly fraudulent document sent by you will be released to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that may result in prosecution and/or fine/imprisonment.

        Email Questions, or Phone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

        Personnel Branch
        Processing and Delivery

        Style Admin Shipping Total
        Full Color .PDF (Printable) $7.50 Emailed $7.50
        Published Document only (Full Color) $14.00 $10.50 USPS $24.50
        Published Document in Heavy Bond Enclosure (Full Color) $19.00 $10.50 USPS $29.50
        Full Color Printable Certificates
        on CD-Rom (minimum 20 Certificates)
        $7.50 $7.50 By Count

      • Total/Shipping fees, above, apply to 50 U.S. states
      • Contact The War Library for international shipping cost
      • How to Apply

        You may apply for your Display Recognition using a...

      • Check Debit card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Charge card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Personal, Business, Bank or Cashiers Check ( Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • Money Order (* Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • (* Upon reception of required documentation)

        Complete and MAIL this APPLICATION FORM.
        Don't forget to include an unaltered COPY of your DD-214, WD AGO 53-55 or other pre-arranged document(s).

        DISPLAY RECOGNITION and/or MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

        Mailing Address

        Records Chief (REC-AMW)
        The American War Library
        817 East Via Carmelitos Ste 319
        Long Beach CA 90805-7549

        Questions?

        Click here for answers to common questions

        Email: Army Achievement Medal Display Recognition Inquiry

        Telephone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

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        Issue Regulations
        Army Achievement Medal

        Click for larger image

        Establishing Authority

        The Army Achievement Medal was established on March 2, 1981, by Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh, Jr.

        Effective Dates

        The Army Achievement Medal has been in effect since August 1, 1981.

        Criteria

        The Army Achievement Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces below the rank of colonel who, while serving in any capacity with the Army in a noncombat area, distinguish themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service, but not of a nature that would warrant the award of an Army Commendation Medal.

        Order of Precedence

        The Army Achievement Medal is worn after the Joint Service Achievement Medal and before the Prisoner of War Medal.

        Devices

        Additional awards of the Army Commendation Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters.

        Designer and Sculptor

        The Army Achievement Medal was designed by Jay Morris and sculpted by Donald Borja, both of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

        First Recipient

        The identity of the first recipient is unknown.

        Description and Symbolism

        Obverse

        In the center of a bronze octagon one and a half inches in diameter (one angle at the top), the elements of the Department of the Army Seal. The shape of the medal was adopted to distinguish it from all other Army decorations, and the Army Seal denotes the authority under which the award is given.

        Reverse

        Centered in three lines in the upper half, the words FOR MILITARY ACHIEVEMENT. At the bottom of the medal there is a double spray of laurel, which represents achievement.

        Ribbon

        The ribbon consists of a central stripe of blue with a white center stripe. The blue is bordered by white, green, white and is edged in green.

        1. Description: A bronze octagonal medal, 1 1/2 inches in diameter, with one angle at the top centered. On the obverse is a design consisting of the elements of the Department of the Army (DA) plaque and the date "1775" at the bottom. On the reverse, in three lines, are the words "FOR MILITARY ACHIEVEMENT" above a space for inscription and below there are two slips of laurel.

        2. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/8 inch green 67129; 1/16 inch white 67101; 1/8 inch green; 1/16 inch white; 9/32 inch ultramarine blue 67118; center 1/16 inch white; 9/32 inch ultramarine blue; 1/16 inch white; 1/8 inch green; 1/16 inch white; and 1/8 inch green.

        3. Criteria: The Army Achievement Medal is awarded to any member of the armed forces of the United States, or to any member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation, who while serving in any capacity with the Army in a non-combat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished himself by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for award of the Army Commendation Medal. The Army Achievement Medal will not be awarded to general officers.

        4. Components: The following are authorized components of the Army Achievement Medal:

        a. Decoration (regular size): MIL-D-3943/102. NSN 8455-01-127-7338 for decoration set. NSN 8455-01-128-2438 for individual medal.

        b. Decoration (miniature size): MIL-D-3943/102. NSN 8455-01-128-2439.

        c. Ribbon: MIL-R-11589/280. NSN 8455-01-128-2440.

        d. Lapel Button: MIL-L-11484/135. NSN 8455-01-128-1849.

        5. Background: a. As part of the Army Cohesion and Stability Study (ARCOST) of 1980, a recommendation was made to establish the Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, and the NCO Professional Development Ribbon. On 18 February 1981, MILPERCEN requested TIOH initiate action to develop the recommended awards. Designs were prepared by TIOH and forwarded to MILPERCEN on 18 March 1981. On 10 April 1981, the Secretary of the Army approved establishment of the decorations recommended by the ARCOST group. On 13 April 1981, the DCSPER approved a design which had been submitted by TIOH and directed development be initiated.

        b. Order of precedence and wear of decorations is contained in Army Regulation (AR) 670-1. Policy for awards, approving authority, supply, and issue of decorations is contained in AR 600-8-22.

        Approval Authority: Lt Colonel commander and above

        For other services: Major general and above

        For foreign personnel: MACOM commander

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