Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Example Display Recognition
      • Applicable Military Branches
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • Eligible Campaigns/Operations/Missions
      • Issue Regulations
      • Who May Apply
      • Executive Order 10977
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How To Apply For This Display Recognition and/or Medal
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Other Display Recognitions
      • Military Medals Website
      • Military Medals Discussion Forum
      • Example Display Recognition:
        Actual Size: 8 1/2 x 11
        Displayed: U.S. Army.
        All Five Service Branches, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard,
        Marine and Navy are Applicable.



        Military Branches

        All Military Service branches are applicable:
        Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy

        Who May Apply

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

        Display Types

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

        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        Colors: Regal, Black, Navy
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements
        You must submit the following:

      • An unaltered photocopy of your DD-214 or DD-214 and DD-215 (post WW2), (See below for KIA information)
      • Contact The War Library if you do not have a DD-214: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone).
      • A DD-214 or DD-215 is not required when requesting a display Recognition for hostile or friendly fire KIA's
      • 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, DD-215 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: Recognition Inquiry

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

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        Issue Regulations
        The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal


        Click for larger image

        The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was established by Executive Order 10977 signed by President John F. Kennedy on December 4, 1961.

        1. Description: On a bronze medal, 1 < inches in diameter, an eagle, with wings addorsed and inverted, standing on a sword loosened in its scabbard, and super- imposed on a radiant compass rose of eight points, all within the circumscription "ARMED FORCES" above and "EXPEDITIONARY SERVICE" below with a sprig of laurel on each side. On the reverse is the shield from the United States Coat of Arms above two laurel branches separated by a bullet, all within the circumscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA".

        2. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/16 inch green 67129; 3/16 inch golden yellow 67104; 3/16 inch spicebrown 67196; 3/16 inch black 67138; 7/16 inch bluebird 67117; 1/8 inch ultramarine blue 67118; 1/8 inch white 67101; 1/8 inch scarlet; 7/16 inch bluebird; 3/16 inch black; 3/16 inch spicebrown; 3/16 inch golden yellow; and 3/16 inch green.

        3. Criteria: a. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who after 1 July 1958 participate as members of U.S. military units in a U.S. military operation in which service members of any Military Department participate, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), in significant numbers and encounter during such participation foreign armed opposition, or are otherwise place in such a position that in the opinion of the JCS, hostile action by foreign armed forces was imminent even though it does not materialize.

        b. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal may be authorized for three categories of operations: U.S. military operations; U.S. military operations in direct support of the United Nations; and U.S. operations of assistance to friendly foreign nations.

        c. The medal shall be awarded only for operations for which no other U.S. campaign medal is approved.

        4. Components: The following are authorized components and related items:

        a. Medal (regular size): MIL-DTL-3943/230. NSN 8455-00-082-5638 for set which includes regular size medal and ribbon bar.

        b. Medal (miniature size): MIL-DTL-3946/230. Available commercially.

        c. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/12. NSN 8455-00-082-2344.

        d. Lapel Button: MIL-DTL-11484. Available commercially.

        e. Streamers: MIL-S-14650. Manual requisition in accordance with AR 840-10.

        5. Background: a. During the late 1950s, it became apparent that a medal was needed to recognize the services of the Armed Forces who participated in the increased involvement of the American military in peacekeeping activities. As a result, President Kennedy established the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, per Executive Order 10977, dated 4 December 1961, for operations on or after 1 July 1958.

        b. In a memorandum dated 20 December 1961, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense requested that The Institute of Heraldry submit proposed designs as soon as possible. Proposed designs were submitted on 25 January 1962 and a design, created by Mr. Jay Morris, was tentatively selected. The design was submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts for comments prior to approval by the Deputy Secretary of Defense on 24 April 1962.

        c. The selected design uses the eagle to represent the strength of our Armed Forces, and the sword, loose in its scabbard, denotes the readiness to serve wherever needed, as further suggested by the compass rose.

        d. At the present time, JCS has designated 22 operations for which the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal may be awarded. A bronze service star is worn to denote second and subsequent awards of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Each Service may authorize the use of campaign streamers for operations in the designated areas. The Army has authorized campaign credit and display of streamers for three areas: Grenada, Panama and the Dominican Republic. The Air Force has authorized display of streamers for all 22 operations. The Navy authorizes display of three silver stars and four bronze stars on the streamer representing 19 operations.

        e. Order of precedence and wear policy for service medals awarded to Army personnel is contained in Army Regulation (AR) 670-1. Policy for awards, approving authority and supply of medals is contained in AR 600-8-22. The policy for display of campaign streamers on guidons/flags and supply of streamers is contained in Chapter 9, AR 840-10

        f. The following areas have been designated for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal:

      • Lebanon 1 Jul 1958-1 Nov 1958
      • Vietnam (General Service)1 Jul 1958-3 Jul 1965
      • Taiwan Straits23 Aug 1958-1 Jan 1959
      • Quemoy and Matsu Islands 23 Aug 1958- 1 Jun 1963
      • Congo 14 Jul 1960-1 Sep 1962
      • Laos 19 Apr 1961-7 Oct 1962
      • Berlin 14 Aug 1961-1 Jun 1963
      • Cuba 24 Oct 1962-1 Jun 1963
      • Congo 23 Nov 1964-27 Nov 1964
      • Dominican Republic 28 Apr 1965-21 Sep 1966
      • Korea11 Oct 1966-30 Jun 1974
      • Thailand Cambodia Support Operations 29 Mar 1973-15 Aug 1973
      • Cambodia Vietnam Support Operations 29 Mar 1973-15 Aug 1973
      • Cambodia EAGLE PULL-Evacuation 11 Apr 1975-13 Apr 1975
      • Vietnam FREQUENT WIND-Evacuation 29 Apr 1975-30 Apr 1975
      • Mayaguez 15-May-1975
      • El Salvador 1 Jan 1981-1 Feb 1992
      • Lebanon 1 Jun 1983-1 Dec 1987
      • Grenada Operation URGENT FURY 23 Oct 1983-21 Nov 1983
      • Libya EL DORADO CANYON12 Apr 1986-17 Apr 1986
      • Persian Gulf EARNEST WILL 24 Jul 1987-1 Aug 1990
      • Panama JUST CAUSE 20 Dec 1989-31 Jan 1990
      • Somalia RESTORE HOPE, and UNITED SHIELD 5 Dec 1992- 31 Mar 1995
      • Haiti UPHOLD DEMOCRACY 16 Sep 1994-31 Mar 1995
      • Bosnia-Herzegovina & Croatia JOINT ENDEAVOR 1 Jun 1992- 19 Dec 1996
      • Southwest Asia VIGILANT SENTINEL 1 Dec 1995-15 Feb 1997
      • Southwest Asia Maritime Intercept Operation1 Dec 1995-18 Mar 2003
      • Southwest Asia SOUTHERN WATCH 1 Dec 1995-18 Mar 2003
      • Bosnia-Herzegovina & Croatia JOINT GUARD 20 Dec 1996- 20 Jun 1998
      • Southwest Asia NORTHERN WATCH Jan 1997-18 Mar 2003
      • Bosnia-Herzegovina & Croatia JOINT FORGE 21 Jun 1998- 2 Dec 2004
      • Southwest Asia DESERT FOX 11 Nov 1998-22 Dec 1998
      • Southwest Asia DESERT THUNDER 16 Dec 1998-22 Dec 1998
      • Southwest Asia DESERT SPRING 31 Dec 1998-18 Mar 2003
      • Haiti SECURE TOMORROW 9 Feb 2004-15 Jun 2004
      • Former Republic of Yugoslavia JOINT GUARDIAN, and NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo1 Jan 2014- TBD

      • Executive Order 10977

        Establishing The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

        By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:

        SECTION 1. There is hereby established the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, with ribbons and appurtenances, for award to personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States who after July 1, 1958:

        (a) Participate, or have participated, as members of United States military units in a United States military operation in which personnel of any military department participate, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in significant numbers; and

        (b) Encounter, incident to such participation, foreign armed opposition, or are otherwise placed, or have been placed, in such position that, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hostile action by foreign armed forces was imminent even though it did not materialize.

        SEC. 2. The medal, with ribbons and appurtenances, shall be of appropriate design approved by the Secretary of' Defense and shall be awarded by the Secretary of the military department directly concerned, and by the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to the United States Coast Guard, under uniform regulations to be issued by the Secretary of Defense.

        SEC. 3. The medal shall be awarded only for operations for which no other United States campaign medal is approved. For operations in which personnel of only one military department participate, the medal shall be awarded only if there is no other suitable award available to that department. No more than one medal shall be awarded to any one person, but for each succeeding operation justifying such award a suitable device may be awarded to be worn on the medal or ribbon as prescribed by appropriate regulations.

        SEC. 4. The medal may be awarded posthumously and, when so awarded, may be presented to such representative of the deceased as may be deemed appropriate by the Secretary of the department concerned.

        JOHN F. KENNEDY
        THE WHITE HOUSE, December 4, 1961.

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