# Decorations, Medals, Ribbons, & Similar Devices

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URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A06-2854

## Record

- **Collection:** Federal Register
- **Document type:** Rule
- **Published:** April 5, 2006
- **Citation:** 71 FR 17276

## Text

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
32 CFR Part 578
RIN 0702-AA41
Decorations, Medals, Ribbons, & Similar Devices

AGENCY:

Department of Army, DOD.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Department of the Army is revising our rule concerning the regulation that prescribes policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military awards. This rule finalizes the proposed rule that was published in the
Federal Register
on November 2, 2005.

DATES:

Effective Date: May 5, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Military Awards Branch, ATTN: AHRC-PDO-PA, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Denise Harris, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Military Awards Branch at (703)325-9171.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

In the November 2, 2005, issue of the
Federal Register
(70 FR 66602), the Department of the Army issued a proposed rule to revise 32 CFR part 578. This final rule incorporates laws enacted and policies approved by AR 600-8-22, Military Awards, in October 1990. The Department of the Army received a response from one commenter, requesting that the Army implement a policy to create a medal to accompany a Department of Defense certificate. The commenter was informed that the Army does not govern the certificate in question, and therefore cannot create a medal to accompany the certificate. The commenter was also advised to submit a written request for creation of a new medal to the Department of Defense.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

This rule has been reviewed under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, which requires the preparation of a regulatory flexibility analysis for any regulation that will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities (i.e., small businesses and small governments). The Department of the Army has determined that this rule will have no significant economic impact on small entities.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply, because the rule does not impose any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

D. Executive Order 12866

According to the criteria listed in section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, HQ, U.S. Army Human Resources Command has determined that the proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action. As such, the proposed rule is not subject to Office of Management and Budget review under section 6(a)(3) of the Executive Order.

E. Eric Porter,
Brigadier General, United States Army, The Adjutant General.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 578

Decorations, Medals, Awards, Military personnel.

For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of the Army is revising 32 CFR part 578 to read as follows:

PART 578—DECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, & SIMILAR DEVICES

General

Sec.
578.1
Purpose.
578.2
Explanation of terms.
578.3
Display sets of award elements and the Medal of Honor.
578.4
U.S. Military decorations.
578.5
Award recommendations.
578.6
Wartime criteria.
578.7
Peacetime criteria.
578.8
General rules.
578.9
Medal of Honor.
578.10
Distinguished Service Cross.
578.11
Distinguished Service Medal.
578.12
Silver Star.
578.13
Legion of Merit.
578.14
Distinguished Flying Cross.
578.15
Soldier's Medal.
578.16
Bronze Star Medal.
578.17
Purple Heart.
578.18
Meritorious Service Medal.
578.19
Air Medal.
578.20
Army Commendation Medal.
578.21
Army Achievement Medal.
578.22
Prisoner of War Medal.
578.23
National Defense Service Medal.
567.24
Antarctica Service Medal.
578.25
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
578.26
Vietnam Service Medal.
578.27
Southwest Asia Service Medal.
578.28
Kosovo Campaign Medal.
578.29
Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
578.30
Iraq Campaign Medal.
578.31
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
578.32
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
578.33
Korean Defense Service Medal.
578.34
Armed Forces Service Medal.
578.35
Humanitarian Service Medal.
578.36
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
578.37
Army Good Conduct Medal.
578.38
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal.
578.39
Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.
578.40
Overseas Service Ribbon.
578.41
Army Service Ribbon.
578.42
Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon.
578.43
Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
578.44
Korean Service Medal.
578.45
Medal of Humane Action.
578.46
Army of Occupation Medal.
578.47
World War II Victory Medal.
578.48
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
578.49
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
578.50
American Campaign Medal.
578.51
Women's Army Corps Service Medal.
578.52
American Defense Service Medal.
578.53
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal.
578.54
World War I Victory Medal.
578.55
Service medals and ribbons no longer available for issue.
578.56
United States Unit Awards.
578.57
Presidential Unit Citation.
578.58
Valorous Unit Award.
578.59
Meritorious Unit Commendation.
578.60
Army Superior Unit Award.
578.61
Appurtenances to military decorations.
578.62
Service ribbons.
578.63
Lapel buttons.
578.64
Miniature decorations.
578.65
Supply, service and requisition of medals and badges.
578.66
Original issue or replacement.
578.67
Manufacture, sale and illegal possession.
578.68
Badges and tabs; general.
578.69
Combat Infantryman Badge.
578.70
Combat Medical Badge.
578.71
Combat Action Badge.
578.72
Expert Infantryman Badge.
578.73
Expert Field Medical Badge.
578.74
Parachutist badges.
578.75
Parachutist Badge-Basic.
578.76
Senior Parachutist Badge.
578.77
Master Parachutist Badge.
578.78
Parachute Rigger Badge.
578.79
Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge.
578.80
Army Aviator Badges.
578.81
Flight Surgeon Badges.
578.82
Diver Badges.
578.83
Special Operations Diver Badge.
578.84
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badges.
578.85
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge-Basic.
578.86
Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.
578.87
Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.
578.88
Pathfinder Badge.
578.89
Air Assault Badge.
578.90
Aviation Badges.
578.91
Aviation Badge-Basic.
578.92
Senior Aviation Badge.
578.93
Master Aviation Badge.
578.94
Driver and Mechanic Badge.
578.95
Glider Badge (Rescinded).
578.96

Nuclear Reactor Operator Badge (Rescinded).

578.97
Marksmanship Qualification Badge.
578.98
Ranger Tab.
578.99
Special Forces Tab.
578.100
Sapper Tab.
578.101
Physical Fitness Badge.
578.102
U.S. Civilian Marksmanship Program.
578.103
President's Hundred Tab.
578.104
Identification Badges.
578.105
Presidential Service Badge and Certificate.
578.106
Vice Presidential Service Badge and Certificate.
578.107
Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge.
578.108
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.
578.109
Army Staff Identification Badge.
578.110
Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge.
578.111
Army ROTC Nurse Cadet Program Identification Badge.
578.112
Drill Sergeant Identification Badge.
578.113
U.S. Army Recruiter Identification Badge.
578.114
Career Counselor Badge.
578.115
Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Identification Badges.
578.116
U.S. Army Reserve Recruiter Identification Badge.
578.117
Foreign and International Decorations and Awards to U.S. Army Personnel—General.
578.118
Individual foreign decorations.
578.119
Foreign unit decorations.
578.120
Foreign badges.
578.121
United Nations Service Medal.
578.122
Inter-American Defense Board Medal.
578.123
Philippine Defense Ribbon.
578.124
Philippine Liberation Ribbon.
578.125
Philippine Independence Ribbon.
578.126
United Nations Medal.
578.127
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal.
578.128
Multinational Force and Observers Medal.
578.129
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
578.130
Kuwait Liberation Medal—Saudi Arabia.
578.131
Kuwait Liberation Medal—Kuwait.
578.132
Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
578.133
Certificates for decorations.
578.134
Certificate of Achievement.
578.135
Certificate of appreciation to employers.
578.136
Certificates for badges.
578.137
Cold War Recognition Certificate.

Authority:

Sec. 3012, Pub. L. 84-1028, 70A Stat. 157; 10 U.S.C. 3013.

§ 578.1
Purpose.
The primary purpose of the awards program is to provide tangible evidence of public recognition for acts of valor and for exceptional service or achievement. Medals constitute one of the principal forms for such evidence; in the United States Army, medals are of the following categories:

(a) Military decorations are awarded on a restricted individual basis in recognition of and as a reward for heroic, extraordinary, outstanding, and meritorious acts, achievements, and services; and such visible evidence of recognition is cherished by recipients. Decorations are primarily intended to recognize acts, achievements, and services in time of war.

(b) The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded in recognition of exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity during enlisted status in active Federal military service.

(c) Service medals are awarded generally in recognition of honorable performance of duty during designated campaigns or conflicts. Award of decorations, and to a lesser degree, award of the Army Good Conduct Medal and of service medals, provide a potent incentive to greater effort, and are instrumental in building and maintaining morale.

§ 578.2
Explanation of terms.
The following definitions are furnished for clarity and uniformity in the determination and award of decorations:

(a)
Above and beyond the call of duty.
Exercise of a voluntary course of action, the omission of which would not justly subject the individual to censure for failure in the performance of duty. It usually includes the acceptance of existing danger or extraordinary responsibilities with praiseworthy fortitude and exemplary courage. In its highest degrees it involves the voluntary acceptance of additional danger and risk of life.

(b)
Active Federal military service.
The term “active Federal military service” means all periods of active duty, Active Guard Reserve (AGR) service and, except for service creditable for the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, excludes periods of active duty for training (ADT) and full-time training duty (FTTD). Service as a cadet at the United States Military Academy is considered to be active duty for the purposes of military awards and decorations.

(c)
Active Guard Reserve.
Army National Guard of the U.S. (ARNGUS) and U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) personnel serving on active duty (AD) under 10 U.S.C. and Army National Guard personnel serving on full-time National Guard duty (FTNGD) under 32 U.S.C. These personnel are on FTNGD or AD (other than training) for 180 days or more for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the Reserve Components and are paid from National Guard Personnel, Army or Reserve Personnel Army appropriations.

(d)
Area of operation.
The foreign territory upon which troops have actually landed or are present and specifically deployed for the direct support of the designated military operation; adjacent water areas in which ships are operating, patrolling, or providing direct support of operations; and the airspace above and adjacent to the area in which operations are being conducted.

(e)
Award.
Recognition given to individuals or units for certain acts or services, or badges, accolades, emblems, citations, commendations, streamers, and silver bands. Also an adjectival term used to identify administrative functions relating to recognition (for example, awards boards, award recommendations, and so forth).

(f)
Award precondition.
Any eligibility criterion not specified by this regulation which must be met before awarding a decoration.

(g)
Biographical sketch.
Identification of an individual that includes as a minimum: Full name, Social Security Number (SSN), date and place of birth, marital status, education, and military service.

(h)
Bravery.
Quality or state showing courage; level of conduct which is expected of professional Army soldiers.

(i)
Combat heroism.
Act or acts of heroism by an individual engaged in actual conflict with an armed enemy, or in military operations which involve exposure to personal hazards, due to direct enemy action or the imminence of such action.

(j)
Combat zone.
The region where fighting is going on; the forward area of the theater of operations where combat troops are actively engaged. It extends from the frontline to the front of the communications zone.

(k)
Decoration.
Distinctively designed mark of honor denoting heroism or meritorious/outstanding service/achievement for individuals and units.

(l)
Direct participation.
“Hands-on” activity at the site, or sites, of the military act or operation. The individual must be physically present at the designated location, having contributed to and influenced the action.

(m)
Direct support.
Services being supplied the combat forces in the area of operations by ground units, ships, and aircraft providing supplies and equipment to the forces concerned, provided it involves actually entering the designated area; and ships and aircraft providing fire, patrol, guard, reconnaissance, or other military support.

(n)
Distinguished himself or herself by.
A person to have distinguished himself or herself must, by praiseworthy

accomplishment, be set apart from other persons in the same or similar circumstances. Determination of this distinction requires careful consideration of exactly what is or was expected as the ordinary, routine, or customary behavior and accomplishment for individuals of like rank and experience for the circumstances involved.

(o)
Duty of great responsibility.
Duty which, by virtue of the position held, carries the ultimate responsibility for the successful operation of a major command, activity, agency, installation, or project. The discharge of such duty must involve the acceptance and fulfillment of the obligation so as to greatly benefit the interests of the United States.

(p)
Duty of responsibility.
Duty, which by virtue of the positions held, carries a high degree of the responsibility for the successful operation of a major command, activity, agency, installation, or project, or which requires the exercise of judgment and decision affecting plans, policies, operations, or the lives and well being of others.

(q)
Extraordinary heroism.
Act or acts of heroism or gallantry involving the risk of life. Minimum level of valorous performance in combat consistent with a recommendation for the Distinguished Service Cross.

(r)
Foreign Decoration.
Any order, device, medal, badge, insignia, emblem or award, tendered by or received from a foreign government.

(s)
Foreign government.
Includes any unit of a foreign governmental authority, including any foreign national, State, local and municipal Government; any international or multinational organization whose membership is composed of any unit of foreign government described above; and any agent or representative of any such unit or organization while acting as such.

(t)
Gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life
. Fearless spontaneous conduct at the certain risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, which clearly sets the soldier apart from all other comrades. Minimum level of valorous performance in combat consistent with a recommendation for the Medal of Honor.

(u)
Gallantry in action
. Spirited and conspicuous acts of heroism and courage. Minimum level of valorous performance in combat consistent with a recommendation for the Silver Star.

(v)
Heroism
. Extreme courage demonstrated in attaining a noble end. Varying levels of documented heroic actions are necessary to substantiate recommendations for the Bronze Star Medal with “V,” Air Medal with “V,” and the Army Commendation Medal with “V.”

(w)
In connection with military operations against an armed enemy
. This phrase covers all military operations including combat, support, and supply which have a direct bearing on the outcome of an engagement or engagements against armed opposition. To perform duty or to accomplish an act of achievement in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, the individual must have been subjected either to personal hazard as a result of direct enemy action, or the imminence of such action, or must have had the conditions under which his duty or accomplishment took place complicated by enemy action or the imminence of enemy action.

(x)
Key individual
. A person who is occupying a position that is indispensable to an organization, activity, or project.

(y)
Medal
. A term used to—

(1) Include the three categories of awards, namely: Decorations, Army Good Conduct Medal, and service medals.

(2) Refer to the distinctive physical device of metal and ribbon which constitutes the tangible evidence of an award.

(z)
Meritorious Achievement
. An act which is well above the expected performance of duty. The act should be an exceptional accomplishment with a definite beginning and ending date. The length of time is not a primary consideration; however, speed of accomplishment of an important task can be a factor in determining the value of an act.

(aa)
Meritorious Service
. Service which is distinguished by a succession of outstanding acts of achievement over a sustained period of time. Individual performance must exceed that expected by virtue of grade and experience, based on accomplishments during an entire tour of duty.

(bb)
Military merit
. Demonstrated conduct or character deserving of recognition.

(cc)
Officer
. Except where expressly indicated otherwise, the word “officer” means “commissioned or warrant officer.”

(dd)
Operation
. A military action, or the carrying out of a strategic, tactical, service, training, or administrative military mission; the process of carrying on combat including movement, supply, attack, defense, and maneuvers needed to gain the objectives of any battle or campaign.

(ee)
Outstanding or unusually meritorious performance
. Performance of duty determined by the employing component to have contributed to an unusually significant degree toward the furtherance of good relations between the United States and the foreign government tendering the decoration. This requires that the service be of national significance to the foreign government and that it be performed under exceptionally difficult, extraordinary, or hazardous conditions.

(ff)
Peacetime criteria
. (1) In a period when the United States is not engaged in the prosecution of a formal declared war.

(2) Applied outside a combat zone when the United States is engaged in military operations against an armed enemy, but is not prosecuting a formally declared war, except that in the communications zone those individuals whose duties are in connection with military operations against an armed enemy may be considered under wartime criteria.

(3) A period in specified areas where U.S. troops are engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

(gg)
Primary next of kin
. Primary next of kin are, in order of precedence, surviving spouse, eldest child, father or mother, eldest brother or sister, or eldest grandchild.

(hh)
Reserve Components of the Army
. The Army National Guard of the United States and the U.S. Army Reserve.

(ii)
U.S. Individual Army decorations
. U.S. Individual Army decorations are the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal.

(jj)
U.S. unit decorations
. U.S. unit decorations are the Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and Army Superior Unit Award.

(kk)
Valor
. Heroism performed under combat conditions.

(ll)
Wartime criteria
. (1) A period of formally declared war and for 1 year after the cessation of hostilities.

(2) A period of military operations against an armed enemy and for 1 year after cessation of hostilities. Only those individuals actually in the combat zone or those in the communications zone whose duties involve direct control or support of combat operations are to be considered under wartime criteria.

(3) A period of national emergency declared by the President or by the Congress.

§ 578.3
Display sets of award elements and the Medal of Honor.

(a)
Government agencies
. Upon approval by the Secretary of the Army, samples of military decorations may be furnished, without charge, for one display at the headquarters of each Army and higher field commander, in the offices of the chiefs of governmental agencies not under military jurisdiction where opportunity for the public to view the display is assured, and in each office of Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) with activities that include matters pertaining to decorations.

(b)
Civilian institutions
. Upon approval by the Secretary of the Army, samples of military decorations may be furnished, at cost price, to museums, libraries, and to national headquarters of historical, numismatic, and military societies; and to institutions of such public nature as will assure an opportunity for the public to view the exhibits under circumstances beneficial to the Army. All decorations furnished to civilian institutions for exhibition purposes will be engraved with the words, “For Exhibition Purposes only.”

(c)
Requests
. Letter requests for decorations for exhibit or display will be made to Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command (USA HRC), ATTN: AHRC-PDO-PA, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471.

(d)
Display
. Service medals for service prior to World War II will not be provided for display purposes since only minimum essential quantities are available for issue to authorized recipients.

(e)
Purchase of medals
. Except for the Medal of Honor, all other decorations, service medals, and ribbons can be purchased from private vendors who have been issued a certificate of authority by the Institute of Heraldry. A list of certified vendors can be obtained from HQ, USA HRC (see § 578.3 (c)).

(f)
Display sets of the Medal of Honor
. Upon written requests, The Adjutant General of the Army can approve issue of a display Medal of Honor to government agencies (defined in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section). Adequate security arrangement must be provided for the medal so that it will not be lost through vandalism or theft. Maximum exposure of the medal to the public must be ensured, on a free of charge basis, under circumstances beneficial to the Army.

§ 578.4
U.S. Military decorations.
To whom awarded, see Table 1 below.

Table 1

Decorations listed in order of precedence
Awarded for:
Heroism
Achievement or service
Awarded to:
Military
United States
Foreign
Civilian
United States
Foreign

Medal of Honor
Combat
n/a

War
1

n/a
n/a
n/a.

Distinguished Service Cross
Combat
n/a
War
War
n/a
n/a.

Distinguished Service Medal
War
War & Peace
War & Peace
War & Peace

War
2

War.
2

Silver Star
Combat
n/a
War
War

War
2

War.
2

Legion of Merit
n/a
War & Peace
War & Peace

War & Peace
5

n/a
n/a.

Distinguished Flying Cross

Combat
Noncombat

War & Peace
4

War & Peace
War
n/a
n/a.

Soldier's Medal
Noncombat
n/a

War & Peace
4

War & Peace
4

n/a
n/a.

Bronze Star Medal

Combat
3

War & Peace
4

War & Peace
4

War & Peace
4

n/a
n/a.

Purple Heart
For wounds received as the result of hostile action
n/a

War & Peace
7
,
8

n/a
n/a
n/a.

Meritorious Service Medal
n/a

Peace & War
9

Peace
Peace
n/a
n/a.

Air Medal

Combat
3
Noncombat

War & Peace
4

War & Peace
4

War

War
2

War.
2

Army Commendation Medal

Combat
3
Noncombat

War
Peace

War & Peace
6

War & Peace
6

n/a
n/a.

Army Achievement Medal
n/a

Peace & War
6
,
9

Peace
6

Peace
6

n/a
n/a.

Notes:

1
The Medal of Honor is awarded only to U.S. military personnel.

2
Under limited circumstances. Recommendations will be forwarded to HQ, USA HRC for processing.

3
Awarded with Bronze “V” Device for valor in combat.

4
Awarded for peacetime when no formal war has been declared but the U.S. is engaged in military operations against an armed enemy.

5
Awarded to foreign military personnel in one of four degrees.

6
Not awarded to general officers.

7
Awarded to military personnel wounded by terrorists or while members of a peacekeeping force.

8
Approval authority is the Secretary of the Army.

9
Authorized for award in a combat theater for non-combat meritorious service and achievement.

§ 578.5
Award recommendations.
(a) It is the responsibility and privilege of any individual having personal knowledge of an act, achievement, or service believed to warrant the award of a decoration to submit a recommendation for consideration. It is usually desirable that the intended recipient not be informed of a pending recommending or given an implied promise of an award prior to final approval and clearance. This is especially true when the intended recipient is a foreigner.

(b) The Department of the Army (DA) Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) will be used to initiate, process and approve award recommendations of all

U.S. Army individual decorations, to include valor and heroism decorations.

(c) Narrative description of meritorious service or achievement for awards of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), and Army Achievement Medal (AAM) will be limited to bullet format in the space allowed on the DA Form 638. Bullet format or narratives may be used for the Legion of Merit (LM). Narratives are required for all other awards and will be added as an addendum to the recommendation. Narrative should be prepared on 8
1/2
by 11-inch bond paper and is limited to one double-spaced typewritten page except for recommendations of the Distinguished Service Medal and above. Narratives for valor must contain a description of the following elements: Terrain and weather of the area in which the action took place; enemy conditions, to include morale, proximity, firepower, casualties and situation prior to, during and after the act; the effect of the act on the enemy; the action of comrades in the immediate vicinity of the act and the degree of their participation in the act; if the act occurred in aerial flight, the type and position of the aircraft and the individual's crew position; the degree to which the act was voluntary; the degree to which the act was outstanding and exceeded what was normally expected of the individual; all unusual circumstances; and overall effects or results of the act.

(d) Heroism award recommendations will contain statements of eyewitnesses, preferably in the form of certificates, affidavits, or sworn statements; extracts from official records; sketches; maps; diagrams; photographs; and so forth, which support and amplify stated facts for the heroism award.

(e) Recommendations will be forwarded through command channels to the commander authorized to approve or disapprove it. Each intermediate commander/supervisor will recommend approval or disapproval, and cite specific reasons whenever disapproval is recommended.

(f) Except for the provisions of 10 U.S.C. 1130 outlined in paragraph (g) of this section and lost awards, each recommendation for an award of a military decoration must be entered administratively into military channels within 2 years of the act, achievement, or service to be honored. Submission into military channels is defined as “signed by the initiating official and endorsed by a higher official in the chain of command.”

(g) Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 1130, a Member of Congress can request consideration of a proposal for the award or presentation of decoration (or the upgrading of a decoration), either for an individual or unit, that is not otherwise authorized to be presented or awarded due to limitations established by law or policy. Based upon such review, the Secretary of the Army shall make a determination as to the merits of approving the award or presentation of the decoration and other determinations necessary to comply with congressional reporting under 10 U.S.C. 1130.

§ 578.6
Wartime criteria.

Wartime criteria, by whom awarded.
The Medal of Honor is awarded only by the President. Other decorations are awarded by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of the Army. When wartime conditions erupt, authority to further delegate decorations approval authority will be requested from the Secretary of the Army. Initial delegation will be requested consistent with the award approval authority outlined in Table 2 below.

Table 2

Delegation of Award Approval—Wartime Criteria

The primary purpose of this table is to outline the various awards and decorations approval authorities for use during the immediate stages of Army combat operations. Once delegated, this authority is reviewed every 30, 60, or 90 days during combat operations to determine if further delegation is expedient and justified. Wartime delegation is withdrawn from approval authorities upon redeployment of the unit. This table is not absolute and is subject to change as necessary by the Secretary of the Army. Award approval levels outlined in Table 3 are applicable to Table 2.

Awards
Approval authority
May further delegate
Awarded to

Medal of Honor
President of the United States
N/A
U.S. military personnel.

DSC & all lesser decorations
Secretary of the Army or others as designated by the Secretary of the Army
N/A

a. U.S. Army Active and Reserve Component personnel.
b. U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard personnel with concurrence of the appropriate Service Secretary.

DSC, SS, LM, DFC and SM
CG of a U.S. Army Force (Serving in the rank of General) (See note 1)
MG and BG commanders (BG must be serving in MG position), commanders of separate units, may award the BSM, AM, and ARCOM (See note 2)
U.S. Army personnel and members of the other armed services and members of the armed forces of forces of friendly foreign nations in the ranks comparable to the grade of O-6 (COL) or lower provided concurrence is obtained from that Service or foreign government.

BSM, AM, ARCOM
Senior Army Commander and commanders of a separate force serving in the rank of LTG (see note 1)
MG and BG (serving in MG positions) commanders of separate units, may award the BSM, AM and ARCOM (see note 2)
U.S. Army personnel and members of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations in the ranks comparable to the grade of 0-6 (COL) and below, provided concurrence is obtained from that Service or foreign government.

PH
CG of any separate unit and Hospital commanders receiving casualties
To any field grade commander who has orders issuing authority
Member of the Army and member of other Services provided concurrence is obtained from that Service.

PUC, VUA, MUC
As provided in § 578-57; § 578-58 and § 578-59
Not further delegated
U.S. units and foreign allied units (see § 578-57; § 578-58; and § 578-59.

Campaign Participation Credit
Senior Army Commander serving in the rank of LTG or higher
Not further delegated
Only to eligible U.S. Army units and RC units called to active duty.

Assault landing Credit
Senior Army Commander serving in the rank of LTG or higher
Not further delegated
Only to eligible U.S. Army units and RC units called to Active duty. (DA General Orders Issued)

Combat Badges
Commanding General of any separate unit
To any field grade commander who has orders issuing authority
See § 578.69, § 578.70, § 578.71, § 578.72, § 578-74, § 578-79, § 578-84 and § 578-99 for specific elgibility requirements for combat requirements for combat badges. See also Table 9 on who may be awarded these badges.

Notes:

1. The senior Army commander (SAC) upon arrival in the theater of operations, or as soon thereafter as practical, will submit a request to CFR, USA HRC (see § 578.3(c)), requesting this delegation be activated.
2. Authority to approve award of the ARCOM under wartime criteria may be delegated to Colonel level commanders.

§ 578.7
Peacetime criteria.
Peacetime criteria, by whom awarded. Awards for peacetime service are made by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of the Army. When peacetime criteria apply, authority to award decorations is automatically delegated as shown in Table 3 below.

Table 3

Delegation of award approving authority-peacetime criteria
Commanders and principal HQDA agency officials
May award
To

Chief of Staff, U.S. Army
DSM and all less decorations
All U.S. Army personnel and personnel of other Services (see note 2).

General
LM, MSM, ARCOM, and AAM

1. U.S. Army personnel.
2. U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Personnel below brigadier general attached to their organizations (see note 2).

Lieutenant General
LM
1. U.S. Army personnel upon retirement or for posthumous awards only (except general grade officers).

MSM, ARCOM, and AAM

2. U.S. Army personnel assigned and attached for duty to their command or agency.
3. U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Personnel below brigadier general attached to their organizations (see note 2).

Major General
LM (see note 1)
1. U.S. Army personnel assigned and attached for duty to their command or agency.

MSM, ARCOM, and AAM
2. U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Personnel below brigadier general attached to their organizations (see note 2).

Brigadier General
MSM, ARCOM, and AAM

1. U.S. Army personnel assigned and attached for duty to their command or agency.
2. U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Personnel below brigadier general attached to their organizations (see note 2).

Colonel
ARCOM, AAM

1. U.S. Army personnel assigned and attached for duty to their command or agency.
2. U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Personnel below brigadier general attached to their organizations (see note 2).

Lieutenant Colonel
AAM

1. U.S. Army personnel assigned and attached for duty to their command.
2. U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force Personnel below brigadier general attached to their organizations (see note 2).

Table 3—
Continued

Delegation of award approving authority-peacetime criteria
Project Managers Program Managers, Product Managers, and Program Executive Officers
May award
To

Major Generals and civilian equivalent Senior Executive Service (SES)
MSM, ARCOM and AAM
Service members assigned to their projects (see note 2).

Brigadier Generals and civilian equivalent SES
MSM, ARCOM and AAM
Service members assigned to their projects (see note 2).

Colonels and civilian equivalent General Schedule (GS) 15
ARCOM and AAM
Service members assigned to their projects (see note 2).

Lieutenant Colonels
AAM
Service members assigned to their projects (see note 2).

Notes:

1. Major Army commanders and officials of principal HQDA agencies in the grade of Major General have authority to approve awards of the Legion of Merit, to retiring and deceased persons, other than general officers, assigned to their commands or agencies.
2. See paragraph 1-36, AR 600-8-22 for instructions on awarding Army decorations to members of the other U.S. Services.

§ 578.8
General rules.

(a)
Awards for civilian service.
Awards for DA civilians are governed by Army Regulation (AR) 672-20, Incentive Awards. AR 672-20 provides implementing instructions for incentive awards, honorary awards and devices, awards from nonfederal organizations, and medals for public service.

(b)
Posthumous awards.
Awards may be made following the death of the person being honored in the same manner as they are made for a living person except that the orders and citation will indicate that the award is being made posthumously. The engraved medal and certificate will not contain the word posthumous. Orders announcing the award, together with the certificate, medal, citation and related documents will be forwarded to the appropriate commander for presentation. Eligible classes of next of kin are listed in the order of their precedence in § 578.2 (gg).

(c)
Interim awards and awards of a lesser decoration.
(1) To ensure that a deserving act, achievement, or service receives recognition, the appropriate authority may promptly award a suitable lesser military decoration pending final action on a recommendation for a higher award, except for retiring U.S. Army general officers. When a higher award is approved, the approving authority will revoke the interim award in the same orders published for the higher award. The decoration will be returned by the recipient, unless the higher award is approved posthumously, in which case the next of kin will be permitted to retain both awards.

(2) The authority taking final action may award the decoration recommended, award a lesser decoration (or consider the interim award as adequate recognition), or in the absence of an interim award, disapprove award of any decoration.

(d)
Duplication of awards.
(1) Only one decoration will be awarded to an individual or unit for the same act, achievement, or period of meritorious service.

(2) The award of a decoration in recognition of a single act of heroism or meritorious achievement does not preclude an award for meritorious service at the termination of an assignment. Recommendations for award of a decoration for meritorious service will not refer to acts of heroism or meritorious achievements, which have been previously recognized by award or decoration.

(3) Continuation of the same or similar type service already recognized by an award for meritorious service or achievement will not be the basis for a second award. If appropriate, an award may be made to include the extended period of service by superseding the earlier award, or the award previously made be amended to incorporate the extended period of service.

(e)
Conversion of awards.
Awards of certain decorations (Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Army Commendation Medal) on the basis of existing letters, certificates, and/or orders, as hereinafter authorized will be made only upon letter application of the individuals concerned to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 (Soldiers who retired or were discharged on or after October 1, 2002 should send their requests to the Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, St. Louis, ATTN: AHRC-CC-B, 1 Reserve Way, St. Louis, MO 63132-5200).

(f)
Character of service.
No decoration shall be awarded or presented to any individual whose entire service subsequent to the time of the distinguished act, achievement, or service shall not have been honorable. The Act of July 9, 1918 (40 Stat. 871) as amended (10 U.S.C. 1409); the Act of July 2, 1926 (44 Stat. 789), as amended (10 U.S.C. 1429).

(g)
Time limitations.
(1) Except for the provisions of 10 U.S.C. 1130 and lost awards addressed below, each recommendation for an award of a military decoration must be entered administratively into military channels within 2 years of the act, achievement, or service to be honored. Submission into military channels is defined as “signed by the initiating official and endorsed by a higher official in the chain of command.”

(2) Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 1130, a Member of Congress can request consideration of a proposal for the award or presentation of decoration (or the upgrading of a decoration), either for an individual or unit, that is not otherwise authorized to be presented or awarded due to limitations established by law or policy. Based upon such review, the Secretary of the Army shall make a determination as to the merits of approving the award or presentation of the decoration and other determinations necessary to comply with congressional reporting under 10 U.S.C. 1130.

(3) To be fully effective, an award must be timely. Undue delay in submitting a recommendation may preclude its consideration. It is highly desirable that a recommendation be placed in military channels and acted upon as quickly as possible. If circumstances preclude submission of a completely documented recommendation, it is best to submit it as soon as possible and note that additional data will be submitted later. However, to ensure prompt recognition, interim awards should be considered and are encouraged as addressed above.

(4) No military decoration, except the Purple Heart and exceptions for decorations approved under 10 U.S.C. 1130, will be awarded more than 3 years after the act or period of service to be honored.

(5) These time limitations do not apply to retroactive and conversion awards made in confirmation of recognition of previously issued orders, letters, or certificates or in exchange of decorations hereinafter authorized.

(6) In cases where it can be conclusively proven that formal submission of a recommendation for award was not made within the time limitations indicated above, because either the person recommending or the person being recommended was in a prisoner of war (POW), missing in action (MIA) or in a medically incapacitated status, award of the Silver Star or lesser decorations may be approved without regard to elapsed time since the act, achievement, or service occurred, that is to be honored.

(7) If the Secretary of the Army determines that a statement setting forth the distinguished act, achievement, or service, and a recommendation for official recommendation recognition was made and supported by sufficient evidence within 2 years after the distinguished service, and that no award was made because the statement was lost, or through inadvertence the recommendation was not acted upon; he or she may, within 2 years after the date of the determination, award any appropriate military decoration. In each case, the following will be provided:

(i) Conclusive evidence of the formal submission of the recommendation into military channels.

(ii) Conclusive evidence of the loss of the recommendation or the failure to act on the recommendation through inadvertence.

(iii) A copy of the original recommendation, or its substantive equivalent. As a minimum, the recommendation should be accompanied by statements, certificates, or affidavits corroborating the events or services involved. It is emphasized that the proponent must provide Commander, USA HRC (see § 578.3(c)), with adequate information for Secretarial evaluation of the deed or service to determine if an award is to be made. The person signing a reconstructed award recommendation must be identified clearly in terms of his or her official relationship to the intended recipient at the time of the act or during the period of service to be recognized.

(h)
U.S. awards to foreign military personnel.
(1) It is the Department of Defense (DOD) policy to recognize individual acts of heroism, extraordinary achievement or meritorious achievement on the part of service members of friendly foreign nations when such acts have been of significant benefit to the United States or materially contributed to the successful prosecution of a military campaign by Armed Forces of the United States. Such acts or achievement shall be recognized through the award of an individual U.S. decoration.

(2) U.S. campaign and service medals shall not be awarded to members of foreign military establishments.

(3) Foreign military personnel in ranks comparable to the grade of 0-6 and below, at the time the act was performed and at the time the decoration is presented, may be awarded the following decorations: Silver Star; Distinguished Flying Cross; Bronze Star Medal; or the Air Medal for valorous acts in actual combat in direct support of military operation; the Soldier's Medal, for heroic acts in direct support of operations, but not involving actual combat; and the Legion of Merit (see § 578.13 for the Legion of Merit to foreign military personnel).

(i)
Announcement of awards.
(1) Decorations and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

(i) Awards made by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of the Army will be announced in DA General Orders (DAGO).

(ii) Awards of decorations and the Army Good Conduct Medal made by principal HQDA officials will be announced in permanent orders.

(iii) Awards of decorations and the Army Good Conduct Medal made according to delegated authority will be announced in permanent orders by the commanders authorized to make the awards.

(2)
Service medals and service ribbons.
Service medals and service ribbons are administratively awarded to individuals who meet the qualifying criteria. Orders are not required.

(3)
Badges.
Permanent awards of badges, except basic marksmanship qualification badges, identification badges, and the Physical Fitness Badge will be announced in permanent orders by commanders authorized to make the award or permanent orders of HQDA.

(j)
Engraving of awards.
The grade, name, and organization of the awardee are engraved on the reverse of the Medal of Honor. The name only of the awardee is engraved on the reverse side of every other decoration, the POW Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal. Normally engraving will be accomplished prior to presentation. When this is impracticable, the awardee will be informed that he or she may mail the decoration or Army Good Conduct Medal to the Commander, U.S. Army TACOM, Clothing and Heraldry Product Support Integration Directorate (PSID), P.O. Box 57997, Philadelphia, PA 19111-7997, for engraving at Government expense.

(k)
Presentation of decorations.
(1) The Medal of Honor is usually presented to living awardees by the President of the United States at the White House. Posthumous presentation to the next of kin normally is made in Washington, DC by the President or his or her personal representative.

(2) Other U.S. military decorations will be presented with an appropriate air of formality and with fitting ceremony.

(3) Foreign decorations will not be presented by members of the U.S. Army to designated recipients whether awardees or next of kin.

(4) Conversion awards, service medals, and service ribbons usually are not presented with formal ceremony. However, such presentation may be made at the discretion of the local commander.

(5) Whenever practical, badges will be presented to military personnel in a formal ceremony as provided in Field Manual (FM) 3-21.5. Presentations should be made as promptly as practical following announcement of awards, and when possible, in the presence of the troops with whom the recipients were serving at the time of the qualification.

(6) Presentation of the Army Good Conduct Medal to military personnel may be made at troop formations. (See FM 3-21.5.) Ceremonies will not be conducted to present the Army Good Conduct Medal to former military personnel or next of kin.

(7) The Army Lapel Button will be formally presented at troop formations or other suitable ceremonies. The U.S. Army Retired Lapel Button will be presented at an appropriate ceremony prior to their departure for retirement. These buttons may be presented to a separating soldier at the same time as the Army Good Conduct Medal and any other approved decoration.

(l)
Act of presentation.
In the act of presentation, a decoration may be pinned on the clothing of the awardee whether in uniform or civilian clothing or on the next-of-kin in the case of a presentation following the recipient's death; however, this will not be construed as authority to wear the decoration for any person other than the individual honored. As an alternative to pinning the decoration, especially on next-of-kin, it may be handed to the

recipient in an opened decoration container.

§ 578.9
Medal of Honor.

(a)
Criteria.
The Medal of Honor (10 U.S.C. 3741) was established by Joint Resolution of Congress, July 12, 1962 (amended by Act of July 9, 1918 and Act of July 25, 1963) is awarded by the President in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of the Army, distinguished himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of the service will be exacted and each recommendation for the award of this decoration will be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. Eligibility is limited to members of the Army of the United States in active Federal military service.

(b)
Description.
A gold-finished bronze star, one point down, 1
9/16
inches in diameter with rays terminating in trefoils, surrounded by a laurel wreath in green enamel, suspended by two links from a bar bearing the inscription “Valor” and surmounted by an eagle grasping laurel leaves in one claw and arrows in the other. In the center of the star is the head of Minerva surrounded by the inscription “United States of America.” Each ray of the star bears an oak leaf in green enamel. On the reverse of the bar are stamped the words “The Congress To.” The medal is suspended by a hook to a ring fastened behind the eagle. The hook is attached to a light-blue moired silk neckband, 1
3/16
inches in width and 21
3/4
inches in length, behind a square pad in the center made of the ribbon with the corners turned in. On the ribbon bar are 13 white stars arranged in the form of a triple chevron, consisting of two chevrons of 5 stars and one chevron of 3 stars. A hexagonal rosette of light-blue ribbon
1/2
inch circumscribing diameter, with a fan-shaped ribbon insert showing white stars, is included for wear on civilian clothing.

(c)
Medal of Honor Roll.
The Medal of Honor Roll was established by Act of Congress, April 27, 1916, as amended by 38 U.S.C. 1562. It provides that each Medal of Honor awardee may have his or her name entered on the Medal of Honor Roll. Each person whose name is placed on the Medal of Honor Roll is certified to the Veterans Administration as being entitled to receive a special pension of $1000 per month for life, if the person desires. Payment will be made by the Veterans Administration beginning as of the date of application thereof (38 U.S.C. 1562). The payment of this special pension is in addition to, and does not deprive the pensioner of any other pension, benefit, right, or privilege to which he or she is or may thereafter be entitled. The awardee will submit a DD Form 1369 (Application for Enrollment on the Medal of Honor Roll and for the Pension Authorized by the Act of Congress) to have his or her name placed on the Medal of Honor Roll and to receive the special pension. The application will bear the full personal signature of the awardee, or in cases where the awardee cannot sign due to disability or incapacity, the signature of the awardee's legally designated representative, and be forwarded to Commander, USA HRC (see § 578.3(c)). Applicant will receive a DD Form 1370A (Certificate of Enrollment on the Medal of Honor Roll).

(d)
Additional benefits.
(1) Supplemental uniform allowance. Enlisted recipients of the Medal of Honor are entitled to a supplemental uniform allowance. (See AR 700-84.)

(2) Air transportation for Medal of Honor awardees. (See DOD Regulation 4515.13-R.)

(3) Commissary privileges for Medal of Honor recipients and their eligible family members. (See AR 600-8-14.)

(4) Identification cards for Medal of Honor recipients and their eligible family members. (See AR 600-8-14.)

(5) Admission to U.S. Service Academies. Children of Medal of Honor awardees, otherwise qualified, are not subject to quota requirements for admission to any of the U.S. Service Academies. (See U.S. Service Academies annual catalogs.)

(6) Exchange privileges for Medal of Honor recipients and their eligible family members. (See AR 600-8-14.)

(7) Burial honors for Medal of Honor recipients are identical to those who become deceased while on active duty. (See AR 600-8-1 and AR 600-25.)

§ 578.10
Distinguished Service Cross.

(a)
Criteria.
The Distinguished Service Cross was established by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by Act of July 25, 1963), 10 U.S.C. 3742. It is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his comrades.

(b)
Description.
A cross of bronze 2 inches in height and 1
13/16
inches in width with an eagle on the center and a scroll below the eagle bearing the inscription “For Valor.” On the reverse, the center of the cross is circled by a wreath. The cross is suspended by a ring from moired silk ribbon, 1
3/8
inches in length and 1
3/8
inches in width, composed of a band of red (
1/8
-inch), white (
1/16
-inch), blue (1-inch), white (
1/16
-inch), and red (
1/8
-inch). (Sec. 3742, 70A Stat. 215; 10 U.S.C. 3742)

§ 578.11
Distinguished Service Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
(1) The Distinguished Service Medal was established by Act of Congress on July 9, 1918 (10 U.S.C. 3743). It is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility. The performance must be such as to merit recognition for service which is clearly exceptional. Exceptional performance of normal duty will not alone justify an award of this decoration.

(2) For service not related to actual war the term “duty of great responsibility” applies to a narrower range of positions than in time of war and requires evidence of conspicuously significant achievement. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of high positions of great importance.

(3) Awards may be made to persons other than members of the Armed Forces of the United States for wartime services only, and then only under exceptional circumstances with the express approval of the President, in each case.

(b)
Description.
The coat of arms of the United States in bronze surrounded by a circle of dark-blue enamel 1
1/2
inches in diameter, bearing the inscription “For Distinguished Service MCMXVIII.” On the reverse, a blank scroll upon a trophy of flags and

weapons. The medal is suspended by a bar from a moired silk ribbon, 1
3/8
inches in length and 1
3/8
inches in width, composed of a bank of scarlet (
5/8
-inch), a stripe of dark-blue (
1/16
-inch), a band of white (
5/8
-inch), a stripe of dark-blue (
1/16
-inch), and a band of scarlet (
5/16
-inch). (Sec. 3743, 70A Stat. 216; 10 U.S.C. 3743).

§ 578.12
Silver Star.

(a)
Criteria.
The Silver Star was established by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by Act of July 25, 1963, 10 U.S.C. 3746). It is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of lesser degree than that required for the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. It is also awarded upon letter application to Commander, USA HRC (see § 578.3(c)), to those individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, received a citation for gallantry in action in World War I published in orders issued by a headquarters commanded by a general officer.

(b)
Description.
A bronze star 1
1/2
inches in circumscribing diameter. In the center thereof is a
3/16
-inch diameter raised silver star, the center lines of all rays of both stars coinciding. The reverse has the inscription “For Gallantry in Action.” The star is suspended by a rectangular-shaped metal loop with corners rounded from a moired silk ribbon 1
3/8
inches in length and 1
3/8
inches in width, composed of stripes of blue (
3/32
-inch), white (
3/64
-inch), blue (
7/32
-inch), white (
7/32
-inch), red (
7/32
-inch), white (
7/32
-inch), blue (
7/32
-inch), white (
3/64
-inch), and blue (
3/32
-inch). (Sec. 3746, 70A Stat. 216; 10 U.S.C. 3746)

§ 578.13
Legion of Merit.
The Legion of Merit was established by Act of Congress July 20, 1942 (10 U.S.C. 1121). It is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievement.

(a)
Criteria for members of Armed Forces of the United States.
The performance must have been such as to merit recognition of key individuals for service rendered in a clearly exceptional manner. Performance of duties normal to the grade, branch, specialty, or assignment, and experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this award.

(b) For service not related to actual war, the term “key individuals” applies to a narrower range of positions than in time of war and requires evidence of significant achievement. In peacetime, service should be in the nature of a special requirement or of an extremely difficult duty performed in an unprecedented and clearly exceptional manner. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of important positions.

(c) Awards will be made without reference to degree.

(d)
Criteria for members of the Armed Forces of foreign nations.
The LM in the degrees described below, may be awarded to foreign military personnel who distinguish themselves by “exceptional meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding service” to the United States in accordance with Executive Order (E.O.) 9260.

(e) The LM awarded to members of the Armed Forces of foreign nations is awarded in the following degrees:

(1) Chief Commander: A domed five-pointed American white star plaque of heraldic form bordered in purplish-red enamel 2
15/16
inches circumscribing diameter with 13 white stars on a blue field emerging from a circle of clouds; backing the star, a laurel wreath with pierced, crossed arrows pointing outward between each arm of the star and the wreath. The reverse is engraved with the words “United States of America.”

(2) Commander: A five-pointed American white star of heraldic form bordered in purplish-red enamel 2
1/4
-inches circumscribing diameter with 13 white stars on a blue field emerging from a circle of clouds; backing the star, a laurel wreath with pierced, crossed arrows pointing outward between each arm of the star and the wreath. A bronze wreath connects an oval suspension ring to a neck ribbon. The reverse of the five-pointed star is enameled in white bordered in purplish-red enamel; in the center is a disk surrounded by the words “Annuit Coeptis” and “MDCCLXXXII,” and on the scroll are the words “United States of America.” The moired silk neck ribbon is 21
1/4
inches in length and 1
15/16
inches in width composed of a bank of purplish-red (1
13/16
-inches) with edges of white (
1/16
-inch).

(3) Officer: A five-pointed American white star of heraldic form bordered in purplish-red enamel 1
7/8
-inches circumscribing diameter with 13 white stars on a blue field emerging from a circle of clouds; backing the star, a laurel wreath with modeled, crossed arrows pointing outward between each arm of the star and the wreath, and an all-bronze device of the same design as the pendant
3/4
inch in diameter on the center of the suspension ribbon. On the reverse is a disk surrounded by the words “Annuit Coeptis” and “MDCCLXXXII,” and on the scroll are the words “United States of America.” The pendant is suspended by a moired silk ribbon 1
7/8
inches in length and 1
3/8
inches in width, composed of a bank of purplish-red (1
1/4
-inches) with edges of white (
1/16
-inch).

(4) Legionnaire: Same as prescribed in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, except the all-bronze device is not worn on the ribbon. (Sec. 1121, 70A Stat. 88; 10 U.S.C. 1121, E.O. 9260, October 29, 1942, 7 FR 8819, 3 CFR, 1943 Cum. Supp.)

§ 578.14
Distinguished Flying Cross.

(a)
Criteria.
The Distinguished Flying Cross was established by Act of Congress July 2, 1926, (10 U.S.C. 3749). It is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself or herself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. The extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his comrades, or from other persons in similar circumstances. Awards will be made only to recognize single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement and will not be made in recognition of sustained operational activities against an armed enemy.

(b)
Description.
On a bronze 1
1/2
-inch cross pattee, a four-bladed propeller 1
11/16
inches across the blades; in the reentrant angles, rays forming a 1-inch square. The cross is suspended by a plain, straight link from a moired silk ribbon 1
3/8
inches in length and 1
3/8
inches in width, composed of stripes of blue (
7/64
-inch), white (
9/64
-inch), blue (
11/32
-inch), white (
3/64
-inch), red (
3/32
-inch), white (
3/64
-inch), blue (
11/32
-inch), white (
9/64
-inch), and blue (
7/64
-inch). (Sec. 3749, 70A Stat. 217; 10 U.S.C. 3749, E.O. 4601, March 1, 1927, as amended by E.O. 7786, January 8, 1938, 3 FR 39.)

§ 578.15
Soldier's Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The Soldier's Medal was established by Act of Congress July 2, 1926 (10 U.S.C. 3750). It is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, including Reserve Component soldiers not serving in a duty status, as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(d), at the time of the heroic act, who distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The same degree of heroism is required as that for an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life.

(b)
Description.
On a 1
3/8
-inch bronze octagon, an eagle displayed, standing on a fasces, between two groups of stars of six and seven, above the group of six a spray of leaves. On the reverse is a shield paly of 13 pieces on the chief, the letters “U.S.” supported by sprays of laurel and oak, around the upper edge the inscription “Soldier's Medal,” and across the face the words “For Valor.” The medal is suspended by a rectangular-shaped metal loop with corners rounded from a moired silk ribbon 1
3/8
inches in length and 1
3/8
inches in width, composed of two outside stripes of blue (
3/8
-inch), the center containing 13 white and red stripes of equal width (7 white and 6 red). (Sec. 3750, 70A Stat. 217; 10 U.S.C. 3750.)

§ 578.16
Bronze Star Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The Bronze Star Medal was established by Executive Order 9419, February 4, 1944 (superseded by E.O. 11046, August 24, 1962 and amended by 10 U.S.C. 1133). It is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after December 7, 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Per 10 U.S.C. 1133, award of the Bronze Star Medal is limited to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who receive imminent danger pay.

(1)
Heroism.
Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.

(2)
Meritorious achievement and service.
Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit and meritorious service. The lesser degree than that required for the award of the LM, must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction.

(3) Awards may be made, by letter application to NPRC, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 (Soldiers who retired or were discharged after October 1, 2002 should send their requests to the Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, St. Louis, ATTN: AHRC-CC-B, 1 Reserve Way, St. Louis, MO 63132-5200), enclosing documentary evidence, if possible, to each member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after December 6,1941, has been cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat against an armed enemy between December 7, 1941 and September 2, 1945, inclusive, or whose meritorious achievement has been otherwise confirmed by documents executed prior to July 1, 1947. For this purpose, an award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or Medical Badge is considered as a citation in orders. Documents executed since August 4, 1944 in connection with recommendations for the award of decorations of higher degree than the Bronze Star Medal will not be used to establish a basis for the award under this paragraph.

(4) Upon letter application, award of the Bronze Star Medal may be made to eligible soldiers who participated in the Philippine Islands Campaign between December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942. Performance of duty must have been on the island of Luzon or the Harbor Defenses in Corregidor and Bataan. Only soldiers who were awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (redesignated the Presidential Unit Citation on November 3, 1966) may be awarded this decoration. Letter application should be sent to NPRC (see paragraph (a)(3) of this section).

(b)
Description.
A bronze star 1
1/2
inches in circumscribing diameter. In the center thereof is a
3/16
-inch diameter raised bronze star, the center line of all rays of both stars coinciding. The reverse has the inscription “Heroic or Meritorious Achievement.” The star is suspended by a rectangular-shaped loop with corners rounded from a moired silk ribbon 1
3/8
inches in length and 1
3/8
inches in width, composed of stripes of white (
1/32
-inch), red (
9/16
-inch), white (
1/32
-inch), blue (
1/8
-inch), white (
1/32
-inch), red (
9/16
-inch), and white (
1/32
-inch). A bronze block letter “V”
1/4
inch in height with serifs at the top of the members is worn on the suspension and service ribbons of the Bronze Star Medal to denote an award made for heroism (valor). Not more than one “V” device will be worn. When one or more oak-leaf clusters appear on the same ribbon the “V” device is worn on the wearer's right. (E.O. 9419, February 4, 1944, 9 FR 1495)

§ 578.17
Purple Heart.

(a)
Criteria.
The Purple Heart was established by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York, on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War. It was reestablished by the President of the United States per War Department General Orders (WDGO) 3, 1932 and is currently awarded pursuant to Executive Order 11016, April 25, 1962; Executive Order 12464, February 23, 1984; Public Law 98-525, October 19, 1984. Public Law 103-160, November 30, 1993; Public Law 104-106, February 10, 1996; and Public Law 105-85, November 18, 1997. It is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after April 5, 1917 who has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded:

(1) In any action against an enemy of the United States.

(2) In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.

(3) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

(4) As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces.

(5) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force.

(6) After March 28, 1973, as a result of an international terrorist attack against the United States or a foreign nation friendly to the United States, recognized as such an attack by the Secretary of Army, or jointly by the Secretaries of the separate armed services concerned if persons from more than one service are wounded in the attack.

(7) After March 28, 1973, as a result of military operations while serving outside the territory of the United States as part of a peacekeeping force.

(b) While clearly an individual decoration, the Purple Heart differs from

all other decorations in that an individual is not “recommended” for the decoration; rather he or she is entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria.

(1) A Purple Heart is authorized for the first wound suffered under conditions indicated above, but for each subsequent award an Oak Leaf Cluster will be awarded to be worn on the medal or ribbon. Not more than one award will be made for more than one wound or injury received at the same instant or from the same missile, force, explosion, or agent.

(2) A wound is defined as an injury to any part of the body from an outside force or agent sustained under one or more of the conditions listed above. A physical lesion is not required, however, the wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record.

(3) When contemplating an award of this decoration, the key issue that commanders must take into consideration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award.

(4) Examples of enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:

(i) Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy action.

(ii) Injury caused by enemy placed mine or trap.

(iii) Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent.

(iv) Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire.

(v) Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions.

(5) Examples of injuries or wounds which clearly do not qualify for award of the Purple Heart are as follows:

(i) Frostbite or trench foot injuries.

(ii) Heat stroke.

(iii) Food poisoning not caused by enemy agents.

(iv) Chemical, biological, or nuclear agents not released by the enemy.

(v) Battle fatigue.

(vi) Disease not directly caused by enemy agents.

(vii) Accidents, to include explosive, aircraft, vehicular, and other accidental wounding not related to or caused by enemy action.

(viii) Self-inflicted wounds, except when in the heat of battle, and not involving gross negligence.

(ix) Post traumatic stress disorders.

(x) Jump injuries not caused by enemy action.

(6) It is not intended that such a strict interpretation of the requirement for the wound or injury to be caused by direct result of hostile action be taken that it would preclude the award being made to deserving personnel. Commanders must also take into consideration the circumstances surrounding an injury, even if it appears to meet the criteria. Note the following examples:

(i) In a case such as an individual injured while making a parachute landing from an aircraft that had been brought down by enemy fire; or, an individual injured as a result of a vehicle accident caused by enemy fire, the decision will be made in favor of the individual and the award will be made.

(ii) Individuals injured as a result of their own negligence; for example, driving or walking through an unauthorized area known to have been mined or placed off limits or searching for or picking up unexploded munitions as war souvenirs, will not be awarded the Purple Heart as they clearly were not injured as a result of enemy action, but rather by their own negligence.

(7) Members killed or wounded in action by friendly fire, 10 U.S.C. 1129.

(i) For purposes of award of the Purple Heart, the Secretary of the Army shall treat a member of the Armed Forces described in paragraph (a) of this section in the same manner as a member who is killed or wounded in action as the result of an act of an enemy of the United States.

(ii) A member described in this subsection is a member who is killed or wounded in action by weapon fire while directly engaged in armed conflict, other than as the result of an act of an enemy of the United States, unless (in the case of a wound) the wound is the result of willful misconduct of the member.

(iii) This section applies to members of the Armed Forces who are killed or wounded on or after December 7, 1941. In the case of a member killed or wounded, as described in paragraph (b) of this section, on or after December 7, 1941 and before November 30, 1993, the Secretary of the Army shall award the Purple Heart under provisions of paragraph (a) of this section in each case which is known to the Secretary before such date or for which an application is made to the Secretary in such manner as the Secretary requires.

(c) A Purple Heart will be issued to the next of kin of each person entitled to a posthumous award. Issue will be made automatically by the CG, USA HRC, upon receiving a report of death indicating entitlement.

(d) Upon written application to NPRC (see § 578.16(a)(3)) award may be made to any member of the Army, who during World War I, was awarded a Meritorious Service Citation Certificate signed by the Commander in Chief, American Expeditionary Forces, or who was authorized to wear wound chevrons. Posthumous awards to personnel who were killed or died of wounds after April 5, 1917 will be made to the appropriate next of kin upon application to the CG, USA HRC (see § 578.3(c) for address).

(e) Any member of the Army who was awarded the Purple Heart for meritorious achievement or service, as opposed to wounds received in action, between December 7, 1941 and September 22, 1943, may apply for award of an appropriate decoration instead of the Purple Heart.

(f) For those who became Prisoners of War during World War II, the Korean War and after April 25, 1962, the Purple Heart will be awarded to individuals wounded while prisoners of foreign forces, upon submission by the individual to the Department of the U.S. Army of an affidavit that is supported by a statement from a witness, if this is possible. Documentation and inquiries should be directed to Commander, USA HRC (see § 578.3(c) for address).

(g) Any member of the U.S. Army who believes that he or she is eligible for the Purple Heart, but through unusual circumstances no award was made, may submit an application through military channels, to Commander, USA HRC (see § 578.3(c) for address). Application will include complete documentation, to include evidence of medical treatment, pertaining to the wound.

(h)
Description.
On a purple heart within a bronze border, a profile head in relief of General George Washington in military uniform. Above the heart is a shield of General Washington's coat of arms between two sprays of leaves in green enamel. On the reserve below the shield and leaves without enamel is a raised bronze heart with the inscription “For Military Merit.” The entire device is 1
11/16
inches in length. The medal is suspended by a rectangular-shaped loop with corners rounded from a moired silk ribbon 1
3/8
inches in length and 1
3/8
inches in width consisting of a purple (pansy) center with white edges (
1/8
-inch).

§ 578.18
Meritorious Service Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The Meritorious Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11448, January 16, 1969 as amended by Executive Order 12312, July 2, 1981. It 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, has distinguished himself or herself by outstanding meritorious achievement or service under the following circumstances:

(1) After January 16, 1969, for meritorious service or achievement while serving in a non-combat area.

(2) On or after September 11, 2001, for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service in a non-combat or combat area.

(b)
Description.
A Bronze medal, 1
1/2
inches in diameter overall, consisting of six rays issuant from the upper three points of a five-pointed star with beveled edges and containing two smaller stars defined by incised outlines; in front of the lower part of the star an eagle with wings upraised standing upon two upward curving branches of laurel tied with a ribbon between the feet of the eagle. The reverse has the encircled inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “MERITORIOUS SERVICE”. The moired ribbon is 1
3/8
inches wide and consists of the following stripes:
1/8
inch Crimson 67112;
1/4
inch White 67101; center
5/8
inch Crimson;
1/4
inch White; and
1/8
inch Crimson.

§ 578.19
Air Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The Air Medal was established by Executive Order 9158, May 11, 1942 as amended by Executive Order 9242-A, September 11, 1942. It is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the U.S. Army, has distinguished himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service as described.

(1) Awards may be made for acts of heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party, which are of a lesser degree than required for award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

(2) Awards may be made for single acts of meritorious achievement, involving superior airmanship, which are of a lesser degree than required for award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, but nevertheless were accomplished with distinction beyond that normally expected.

(3) Awards for meritorious service may be made for sustained distinction in the performance of duties involving regular and frequent participation in aerial flight for a period of at least 6 months. In this regard, accumulation of a specified number of hours and missions will not serve as the basis for award of the Air Medal. Criteria in § 578.19(a)(1), concerning conditions of conflict are applicable to award of the Air Medal for meritorious service.

(4) Award of the Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crewmember or non-crewmember flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties. However, it may also be awarded to certain other individuals whose combat duties require regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status, or individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crewmember, but who are not on flying status as prescribed in AR 600-106. These individuals must make a discernible contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of personnel whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations. Involvement in such activities, normally at the brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award. Awards will not be made to individuals who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone.

(5) Numerals, starting with 2 will be used to denote second and subsequent awards of the Air Medal.

(b)
Description.
A bronze compass rose 1
11/16
-inches circumscribing diameter suspended by the pointer and charged with an eagle volant carrying two lightning flashes in its talons. The points of the compass rose on the reverse are modeled with the central portion plain. The medal is suspended from a moired silk ribbon 1
3/8
inches in length and 1
3/8
inches in width, composed of a band of ultramarine blue (
1/8
-inch), a band of golden orange (
1/4
-inch), a band of ultramarine blue (
5/8
-inch), a band of golden orange (
1/4
-inch), and a band of ultramarine blue (
1/8
-inch), by a ring engaging the pointer. (E.O. 9158, May 11, 1942, 7 FR 3541, as amended by E.O. 9242A, September 11, 1942, 7 FR 7874).

§ 578.20
Army Commendation Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) was established by War Department (WD) Circular 377, on December 18, 1945 (amended in DAGO 10, March 31, 1960). It is awarded to any members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after December 6, 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service. Award may be made to a member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation who, after June 1, 1962, distinguishes himself or herself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service, which has been of mutual benefit to a friendly nation and the United States.

(1) Awards of the ARCOM may be made for acts of valor performed under circumstances described above which are of lesser degree than required for award of the Bronze Star Medal. These acts may involve aerial flight.

(2) An award of the ARCOM may be made for acts of non-combat related heroism, which do not meet the requirements for an award of the Soldier's Medal.

(3) The ARCOM will not be awarded to general officers.

(4) Awards of the ARCOM may be made on letter application to NPRC (see § 578.16(a)(3) for address), to any individual commended after December 6, 1941 and before January 1, 1946 in a letter, certificate, or order of commendation, as distinguished from letter of appreciation, signed by an officer in the grade or position of a major general or higher. Awards of the Army Commendation Ribbon and of the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant are re-designated by DAGO 10, March 31, 1960, as awards of the ARCOM, without amendments of certificates or of orders previously issued.

(5) The Commander, Eighth U.S. Army is authorized to award the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service to Korean Augmentation to U.S. Army (KATUSA) personnel.

(b)
Description.
On a 1
3/8
-inch bronze hexagon, one point up, an American bald eagle with wings displayed horizontally grasping three crossed arrows and bearing on its breast a shield paly of 13 pieces and a chief. On the reverse between the words “For Military” and “Merit” a panel, all above a sprig of laurel. A moired silk ribbon 1
3/8
inches in length and 1
3/8
inches in width, composed of stripes of white (
3/32
-inch), green (
25/64
-inch), white (
1/32
-inch), green (
1/16
-inch), white (
1/32
-inch), green (
1/16
-inch), white (
1/32
-inch), green (
1/16
-inch), white (
1/32
-inch), green (
1/16
-inch), white (
1/32
-inch), green (
25/64
-inch), and white (
3/32
-inch).

§ 578.21
Army Achievement Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The Army Achievement Medal (AAM) was established by the Secretary of the Army, April 10, 1981. It 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 distinguished himself or herself by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for award of the Army Commendation Medal under the following circumstances:

(1) After August 1, 1981, for meritorious service or achievement while serving in a non-combat area.

(2) On or after September 11, 2001, for non-combat meritorious achievement or service.

(b) The AAM will not be awarded to general officers.

(c)
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 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. The moired 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.

§ 578.22
Prisoner of War Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The POW Medal is authorized by Public Law 99-145, 10 U.S.C. 1128, November 8, 1985, as amended by 10 U.S.C. 1128, November 29, 1989. It is authorized for any person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces, was taken prisoner and held captive after April 5, 1917.

(1) The POW Medal is to be issued only to those U.S. military personnel and other personnel granted creditable U.S. military service, who were taken prisoner and held captive—

(i) While engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.

(ii) While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.

(iii) While serving with friendly forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

(iv) By foreign armed forces that are hostile to the United States, under circumstances which the Secretary concerned finds to have been comparable to those under which persons have generally been held captive by enemy armed forces during periods of armed conflict.

(2) U.S. and foreign civilians who have been credited with U.S. military service which encompasses the period of captivity are also eligible for the medal. The Secretary of Defense authorized on January 27, 1990, the POW Medal for the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Recognized Guerrilla Unit Veterans who were held captive between December 7, 1941, and September 26, 1945. DD Form 2510-1 (Prisoner of War Medal Application/Information-Philippine Commonwealth Army and Recognized Guerrilla Veterans) was developed as the application for Filipino Veterans who fit this category.

(3) For purposes of this medal, past armed conflicts are defined as World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam Conflict, Grenada, Panama, Persian Gulf War, and Somalia. Hostages of terrorists and persons detained by governments with which the United States is not engaged actively in armed conflict are not eligible for the medal.

(4) Any person convicted of misconduct or a criminal charge by a U.S. military tribunal, or who receives a less than honorable discharge based upon actions while a prisoner of war, or whose conduct was not in accord with the Code of Conduct, and whose actions are documented by U.S. military records is ineligible for the medal. The Secretary of the Army is the authority for deciding eligibility in such cases.

(5) No more than one POW Medal will be awarded. For subsequent award of the medal, service stars will be awarded and worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal. A period of captivity terminates on return to U.S. military control. Escapees who do not return to U.S. military control and are recaptured by an enemy do not begin a new period of captivity for subsequent award of the POW Medal. (Service stars are described in § 578.61.)

(6) The POW Medal may be awarded posthumously.

(7) The primary next of kin of eligible prisoners of war who die in captivity may be issued the POW Medal regardless of the length of stay in captivity.

(8) Personnel officially classified as Missing in Action (MIA) are not eligible for award of the POW Medal. The POW Medal will only be awarded when the individual's prisoner of war status has been officially confirmed and recognized as such by the DA. Likewise, the return of remains, in and of itself, does not constitute evidence of confirmed prisoner of war status.

(b)
Award of the POW Medal to active military personnel, veterans, retirees and their next of kin
—(1)
Active Military Personnel.
Award of the POW Medal to military personnel in an active war will be processed by the Commander, USA HRC (see § 578.3 (c)), after coordination with the Repatriation and Family Affairs Division.

(2) Veterans, retirees and their next of kin. All requests for the POW Medal will be initiated by eligible former POWs, or their next of kin, using a personal letter or DD Form 2510 (Prisoner of War Medal Application/ Information). Applications should be forwarded to the NPRC (see § 578.16(a)(3) for address).

(c)
Description.
A purple heart within a Gold border, 1
3/8
inches wide, containing a profile of General George Washington. Above the heart appears a shield of the Washington Coat of Arms (a White shield with two Red bars and three Red stars in chief) between sprays of Green leaves. The reverse consists of a raised Bronze heart with the words “FOR MILITARY MERIT” below the coat of arms and leaves. The ribbon is 1
3/8
inches wide and consists of the following stripes:
1/8
inch White 67101; 1
1/8
inches Purple 67115; and
1/8
inch White 67101.

§ 578.23
National Defense Service Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) was established by Executive Order 10448, April 22, 1953, as amended by Executive Order 11265, January 11, 1966 and Executive Order 12776, October 18, 1991. It is awarded for honorable active service for any period between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954, both dates inclusive; between January 1, 1961 and August 14, 1974, both dates inclusive; between August 2, 1990 and November 30, 1995, both dates inclusive; and from September 11, 2001 to a date to be determined.

(1) For the purpose of this award, the following persons will not be considered as performing active service:

(i) Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve forces personnel on short tours of duty to fulfill training obligations under an inactive duty training program.

(ii) Any service member on temporary duty or temporary active duty to serve on boards, courts, commissions, and like organizations.

(iii) Any service member on active duty for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination.

(2) In addition to the conditions listed above, Executive Order 12776 extended

award of the NDSM to all members of the Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve who were part of the selected Reserve in good standing during the period August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995. During this period, soldiers in the following categories will not be considered eligible:

(i) Any soldier of the Individual Ready Reserve, Inactive National Guard or the standby or retired Reserve whose active duty service was for the sole purpose of undergoing a physical examination.

(ii) Any soldier of the Individual Ready Reserve, Inactive National Guard or the standby or retired reserve whose active duty service was for training only, or to serve on boards, courts, commissions and like organizations.

(3) On March 28, 2003, the President signed an amendment to Executive Order 10448 that extends the eligibility criteria for award of the NDSM to members of the selected Reserve of the Armed Forces of the United States in good standing during the period beginning September 11, 2001 to a date to be determined to be eligible for award of the NDSM.

(4) Any member of the Army National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve who, after December 31, 1960, becomes eligible for the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Vietnam Service Medal, is also eligible for award of the NDSM. The NDSM may be awarded to members of the Reserve Component who are ordered to Federal active duty regardless of the duration (except for categories listed above).

(5) To signify receipt of a second or subsequent award of the NDSM, a service star will be worn on the service ribbon by U.S. Army personnel so qualified. Second or third award of the NDSM is authorized for soldiers who served in one or more of the three time periods as listed in paragraph (a) of this section. It is not authorized for soldiers who met the criteria in one time period, left active duty and returned during the same period of eligibility. (Service stars are described in § 578.61)

(6) Cadets of the U.S. Military Academy are eligible for the NDSM, during any of the inclusive periods listed above, upon completion of the swearing-in ceremonies as a cadet.

(7) The NDSM may be awarded posthumously.

(b)
Description.
On a Bronze medal, 1
1/4
inches in diameter, an eagle displayed with inverted wings standing on a sword and palm branch, all beneath the inscription “NATIONAL DEFENSE”. On the reverse is a shield taken from the Coat of Arms of the United States with an open wreath below it, the right side of oak leaves and the left side of laurel leaves. The ribbon is 1
3/8
inches wide and consists of the following stripes:
7/16
inch Scarlet 67111;
1/32
inch White 67101;
1/32
inch Old Glory Blue 67178;
1/32
inch White;
1/32
inch Scarlet; center
1/4
inch Golden Yellow 67104;
1/32
inch Scarlet;
1/32
inch White;
1/32
inch Old Glory Blue;
1/32
inch White; and
7/16
inch Scarlet.

§ 578.24
Antarctica Service Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The Antarctica Service Medal (ASM) was established by Public Law 86-600 (DA Bulletin. 3, 1960). It is awarded to any person who, after January 2, 1946 and before a date to be announced, meets any of the following qualifications:

(1) Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or civilian citizen, national, or resident alien of the United States who, is a member of a direct support or exploratory operation in Antarctica.

(2) Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or civilian citizen, national, or resident alien of the United States who participates in or has participated in a foreign Antarctic expedition in Antarctica in coordination with a United States expedition and who is or was under the sponsorship and approval of competent U.S. Government authority.

(3) Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who participates in or has participated in flights as a member of the crew of an aircraft flying to or from the Antarctic continent in support of operations in Antarctica.

(4) Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or civilian citizen, national, or resident alien of the United States who serves or has served on a U.S. ship operating south of latitude 60 degrees S. in support of U.S. programs in Antarctica.

(5) Any person, including citizens of foreign nations, not fulfilling any above qualification, but who participates in or has participated in a United States expedition in Antarctica at the invitation of a participating United States Agency. In such case, the award will be made by the Secretary of the Department under whose cognizance the expedition falls provided the commander of the military support force as senior U.S. representative in Antarctica considers that the individual has performed outstanding and exceptional service and shared the hardship and hazards of the expedition.

(b) Personnel who remain on the Antarctic Continent during the winter months will be eligible to wear a clasp or a disc as described below:

(1) A clasp with the words “Wintered Over” on the suspension ribbon of the medal:

(2) A
5/16
inch diameter disc with an outline of the Antarctic continent inscribed thereon fastened to the bar ribbon representing the medal.

(3) The appurtenances in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section are awarded in bronze for the first winter, in gold for the second winter and in silver for personnel who “winter over” three or more times.

(c) Subsequent to June 1, 1973, minimum time limits for the award are 30 days under competent orders to duty at sea or ashore, south of latitude 60 degrees S. Each day of duty under competent orders at any outlying station on the Antarctic continent will count as 2 days when determining award eligibility. Effective July 1, 1987, flight crews of aircraft providing logistics support from outside the Antarctic area may qualify for the award after 15 missions (one flight in and out during any 24-hour period equals one mission). Days need not be consecutive.

(d) No person is authorized to receive more than one award of the ASM. Not more than one clasp or disc will be worn on the ribbon. Antarctica is defined as the area south of latitude 60 degrees S. The ASM takes precedence immediately after the Korean Service Medal.

(e)
Description.
The medal is bronze, 1
1/4
inches in diameter, with a view of a polar landscape and the standing figure in Antarctica clothing facing to the front between the horizontally placed words “ANTARCTICA” on the figure's right and “SERVICE” on the figure's left. On the reverse is a polar projection with geodesic lines of the continent of Antarctica across which are the horizontally placed words “COURAGE”, “SACRIFICE”, and “DEVOTION”, all within a circular decorative border of penguins and marine life. The Suspension Ribbon Clasp: On a metal clasp, 1
1/4
inches in width and
1/4
inch in height, inscribed with the words “WINTERED OVER” in raised letters within a
1/32
inch rim. The metal color of the clasp is Bronze for the first winter, Gold for the second winter and Silver for the third winter. The Service Ribbon Attachment: On a metal disc,
5/16
inch in diameter, a superimposed delineation of the Antarctica continent. The metal color of the ribbon attachment is Bronze for the first winter, Gold for the second winter and Silver for the third winter. The ribbon is 1
3/8
inches wide and consists of a
3/16
inch Black stripe on each edge and graded from a White stripe in the

center to a Pale Blue, Light Blue, Greenish Blue, and Medium Blue.

§ 578.25
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) was established by Executive Order 10977, dated December 4, 1961 (DA Bulletin. 1, 1962) and Executive Order 11231, July 8, 1965. This medal is authorized for:

(1) U.S. military operations.

(2) U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations.

(3) U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations.

(b)
Requirements.
The AFEM is awarded for services after July 1, 1958, meeting the following qualifications:

(1) Personnel must be a bona fide member of a unit and engaged in the operation, or meet one or more of the following criteria:

(i) Have served not less than 30 consecutive days in the area of operations.

(ii) Be engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, provided this support involves entering the area of operations. The qualifying criteria for non-unit direct support personnel in Grenada is 6 consecutive days or 12 non-consecutive days.

(iii) Serve for the full period where an operation is of less than 30 days duration.

(iv) Be engaged in actual combat, or duty which is equally as hazardous as combat, during the operation with armed opposition, regardless of time in the area.

(v) Participate as a regularly assigned crewmember of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the area in support of the military operation.

(2) If the criteria above have not been fulfilled the individual must be recommended, or attached to a unit recommended, by the chief of a service or the commander of a unified or specified command for award of the medal. Such recommendations may be made to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) for duty of such value to the operation as to warrant particular recognition.

(c) The designated U.S. military operations, areas, and dates are provided in Table 4 below:

Table 4

Area
Dates
Explanation

Quemoy and Matsu Islands
August 23, 1956 to June 1, 1963

Lebanon
July 1, 1958 to November 1, 1958

Taiwan Straits
August 23, 1958 to January 1, 1959

Berlin
August 14, 1961 to June 1, 1963

Cuba
October 24, 1962 to June 1, 1963

Congo
November 23 to 27, 1964

Dominican Republic
April 28, 1965 to September 21, 1966

Korea
October 1, 1966 to June 30, 1974

Cambodia—Operation EAGLE PULL
April 11 to 13, 1975
Evacuation of Cambodia.

Vietnam—Operation FREQUENT WIND
April 29 to 30, 1975
Evacuation of Vietnam (see § 578.26(e) for conversion of AFEM to VSM).

Mayaguez Operation
May 15, 1975

Grenada—Operation URGENT FURY
October 23, 1983 to November 21, 1983
The qualifying criteria for non-unit direct support personnel in Grenada is 6 consecutive days or 12 nonconsecutive days.

Libya—Operation ELDORADO CANYON
April 12, 1986 to April 17, 1986

Panama—Operation JUST CAUSE
December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990

Haiti—Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY
September 16, 1994 to March 31, 1995

(d) Designated U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations are provided in Table 5 below:

Table 5

Area
Dates
Explanation

Congo
July 14, 1960 to September 1, 1962

Somalia—Operations RESTORE HOPE and UNITED SHIELD
December 5, 1992 to March 31, 1995

Former Republic of Yugoslavia—Operations JOINT ENDEAVOR and JOINT GUARD
June 1, 1992 to June 20, 1998
Only for participants deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia.

Former Republic of Yugoslavia—Operation JOINT FORGE
June 21, 1998 to a date to be determined

(e) Designated U.S. operations of assistance for a friendly foreign nation are provided in Table 6 below:

Table 6

Area
Dates
Explanation

Vietnam
July 1, 1958 to July 3, 1965

Laos
April 19, 1961 to October 7, 1962

Cambodia
March 29, 1973 to August 15, 1973

Thailand
March, 29 1973 to August 15, 1973
Only those in direct support of Cambodia operations.

El Salvador
January 1, 1981 to February 1, 1992

Lebanon
June 1, 1983 to December 1, 1987

Persian Gulf—Operation EARNEST WILL
July 24, 1987 (the date of the Bridgeton incident) to August 1, 1990
The area of operations is the area from 20 degrees north latitude northward to 30 degrees, 30 minutes, north latitude and from 46 degrees, 36 minutes, east longitude eastward to 63 degrees east longitude. These geographical limits include the Persian Gulf, Bahrain, Kuwait, the Gulf of Oman and most of Saudi Arabia.

Southwest Asia:

—Operation SOUTHERN WATCH
December 1, 1995 to a date to be determined

—Maritime Intercept Operation
December 1, 1995 to a date to be determined

—Vigilant Sentinel
December 1, 1995 to February 15, 1997

—Operation NORTHERN WATCH
January 1, 1997 to a date to be determined

—Operation DESERT THUNDER
November 11, 1998 to December 22, 1998

—Operation DESERT FOX
December 16, 1998 to December 22, 1998

—Operation DESERT SPRING
December 31, 1998 to a date to be determined

(f) One bronze service star is worn to denote subsequent award of the AFEM. To be eligible for additional awards, service must be rendered in more than one of the designated areas and dates specified in paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this section. No two awards will be made for service in the same designated area.

(g)
Arrowhead Device.
The arrowhead device is a bronze replica of an Indian arrowhead
1/4
-inch high. It denotes participation in a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing, while assigned or attached as a member of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission. A soldier must actually exit the aircraft or watercraft, as appropriate, to receive assault landing credit. Individual assault credit is tied directly to the combat assault credit decision for the unit to which the soldier is attached or assigned at the time of the assault. It is worn on the service and suspension ribbons of the AFEM when the unit is credited with assault landing credit. Only one arrowhead device will be worn on the ribbon.

(h)
Description.
The medal is bronze, 1
1/4
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”. The ribbon is 1
3/8
inches wide and consists of the following stripes:
3/32
inch Green 67129;
3/32
inch Golden Yellow 67104;
3/32
inch Spicebrown 67196;
3/32
inch Black 67138;
7/32
inch Bluebird 67117;
1/16
inch Ultramarine Blue 67118;
1/16
inch White 67101;
1/16
inch Scarlet;
7/32
inch Bluebird;
3/32
inch Black;
3/32
inch Spicebrown;
3/32
inch Golden Yellow; and
3/32
inch Green.

§ 578.26
Vietnam Service Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) was established by Executive Order 11231, July 8, 1965. It is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in Vietnam and contiguous waters or airspace thereover, after July 3, 1965 through March 28, 1973. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, or the airspace thereover, during the same period and serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam are also eligible for this award.

(b)
Qualifications:
To qualify for award of the VSM an individual must meet one of the following qualifications:

(1) Be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations.

(2) Be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days abroad a Naval vessel directly supporting military operations.

(3) Actually participate as a crewmember in one or more aerial flights into airspace above Vietnam and contiguous waters directly supporting military operations.

(4) Serve on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in Vietnam or contiguous areas, except that time limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations.

(c) No person will be entitled to more than one award of the VSM.

(d) Individuals qualified for the AFEM for reason of service in Vietnam between July 1, 1958 and July 3, 1965 (inclusive) shall remain qualified for that medal. Upon request (unit personnel officer) any such individual may be awarded the VSM instead of the AFEM. In such instances, the AFEM will be deleted from the list of authorized medals in personnel records. No person will be entitled to both awards for Vietnam service.

(e) Service members who earned the AFEM for Operation FREQUENT WIND between April 29-30, 1975, may elect to receive the Vietnam Service Medal instead of the AFEM. No service member may be issued both medals for service in Vietnam.

(f) Vietnam and contiguous waters, as used herein, is defined as an area which includes Vietnam and the water adjacent thereto within the following specified limits: From a point on the East Coast of Vietnam at the juncture of Vietnam with China southeastward to 21 degrees N. latitude, 108 degrees; 15′E. longitude; thence, southward to 18 degrees; N. latitude, 108 degrees; 15′ E. longitude; thence southeastward to 17 degrees 30′ N. latitude, 111 degrees E.

longitude; thence southward to 11 degrees N. latitude; 111 degrees E. longitude; thence southwestward to 7 degrees N. latitude, 105 degrees E. longitude; thence westward to 7 degrees N. latitude, 103 degrees; E. longitude; thence northward to 9 degrees 30′ N. latitude, 103 degrees E. longitude, thence northeastward to 10 degrees 15′ N. latitude, 104 degrees 27′ E. longitude; thence northward to a point on the West Coast of Vietnam at the juncture of Vietnam with Cambodia.

(g) The VSM may be awarded posthumously.

(h) The boundaries of the Vietnam combat zone for campaign participation credit are as defined in paragraph (d) of this section.

(i) One bronze service star is authorized for each campaign under the following conditions:

(1) Assigned or attached to and present for duty with a unit during the period in which it participated in combat.

(2) Under orders in the combat zone and in addition meets any of the following requirements:

(i) Awarded a combat decoration.

(ii) Furnished a certificate by a commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that he actually participated in combat.

(iii) Served at a normal post of duty (as contrasted to occupying the status of an inspector, observer, or visitor).

(iv) Aboard a vessel other than in a passenger status and furnished a certificate by the home port commander of the vessel that he served in the combat zone.

(3) Was an evadee or escapee in the combat zone or recovered from a prisoner-of-war status in the combat zone during the time limitations of the campaign. Prisoners of war will not be accorded credit for the time spent in confinement or while otherwise in restraint under enemy control.

(j)
Description.
The medal is Bronze, 1
1/4
inches in diameter, an oriental dragon behind a grove of bamboo trees above the inscription “REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM SERVICE.” On the reverse, a crossbow surmounted a by a torch above the arched inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”. The ribbon is 1
3/8
inches wide and consists of the following stripes:
1/8
inch Primitive Green 67188;
5/16
inch Air Force Yellow 67103;
1/16
inch Old Glory Red 67156;
5/32
inch Air Force Yellow; center
1/16
inch Old Glory Red;
5/32
inch Air Force Yellow;
1/16
inch Old Glory Red;
5/16
inch Air Force Yellow; and
1/8
inch Primitive Green.

(k) The Vietnam campaigns are provided in Table 7 below:

Table 7

Campaigns
Inclusive dates
Streamer inscription

Vietnam Advisory Campaign
March 15, 1962 to March 7, 1965
Vietnam Advisory 1962-1965.

Vietnam Defense Campaign
March 8, 1965 to December 24, 1965
Vietnam Defense 1965.

Vietnam Counteroffensive
December 25, 1965 to June 30, 1966
Vietnam Counteroffensive 1965-1966.

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase II
July 1, 1966 to May 31, 1967 (see footnote below)
Vietnam Phase II 1966, 1967.

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase III
June 1, 1967 to January 29, 1968
Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase III, 1967-1968.

Tet Counteroffensive
January 30, 1967 to April 1, 1968
Tet Counteroffensive 1968.

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV
April 2, 1968 to June 30, 1968
Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase IV 1968.

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V
July 1, 1968 to November 1, 1968
Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase V 1968.

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI
November 2, 1968 to February 22, 1969
Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VI 1968-1969.

Tet 69 Counteroffensive
February 23, 1969 to June 8, 1969
Tet 69/Counteroffensive, 1969.

Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969
June 9, 1969 to October 31, 1969
Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969.

Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970
November 1, 1969 to April 30, 1970
Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970.

Sanctuary Counteroffensive
May 1, 1970 to June 30, 1970
Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1970.

Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VII
July 1, 1970 to June 30, 1971
Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII, 1970-1971.

Consolidation I
July 1, 1971 to November 30, 1971
Consolidation I 1971.

Consolidation II
December 1, 1971 to March 29, 1972
Consolidation II 1971-1972.

Vietnam Cease-Fire
March 30, 1972 to January 28, 1973
Vietnam Cease-Fire 1972-1973.

Footnote:
Arrowhead device authorized only for members of the 173d Airborne Brigade who actually participated in the landing in the vicinity of Katum, Republic of Vietnam, between the hours of 0800-0907, inclusive on February 27, 1967. A bronze service star affixed to the Parachutist Badge is authorized for members of the 173d Airborne Brigade for participation in combat parachute jump on February 22, 1967 per Department of the Army General Orders 18, 1979.

§ 578.27
Southwest Asia Service Medal.
(a) The Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) was established by Executive Order 12754, March 12, 1991. It is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in Southwest Asia and contiguous waters or airspace thereover, on or after August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995. Southwest Asia and contiguous waters, as used herein, is defined as an area which includes the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, that portion of the Arabian Sea that lies north of 10 degrees N. latitude and west of 68 degrees E. longitude, as well as the total land areas of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates.

(b) Members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan (including the airspace and territorial waters) between January 17, 1991 and April 11, 1991, will also be eligible for this award. Members serving in these countries must have been under the command and control of U.S. Central Command or directly supporting military operations in the combat theater.

(c) To be eligible, a service member must meet one or more of the following criteria:

(1) Be attached to or regularly serving for one or more days with an organization participating in ground or shore (military) operations.

(2) Be attached to or regularly serving for one or more days aboard a naval vessel directly supporting military operations.

(3) Be actually participating as a crew member in one or more aerial flights directly supporting military operations in the areas designated in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(4) Be serving on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. These time limitations may be waived for people participating in actual combat operations.

(d) The SWASM may be awarded posthumously to any person who lost his or her life while, or as a direct result of, participating in Operation DESERT SHIELD or Operation DESERT STORM without regard to the length of such service, if otherwise eligible.

(e) One bronze service star will be worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the SWASM for participation in each designated campaign. Service stars are described in § 578.61. The designated campaigns for Southwest Asia are provided in Table 8 below:

Table 8

Campaign
Inclusive dates
Streamer inscription

Defense of Saudi Arabia
August 2, 1990 to January 16, 1991
Defense of Saudi Arabia 1990-1991.

Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
January 17, 1991 to April 11, 1991
Liberation and Defense of Kuwait 1991.

Southwest Asia Cease-Fire
April 12, 1991 to November 30, 1995
Southwest Asia Cease-Fire, 1991-1995.

(f) See AR 670-20 for the Civilian Service in Southwest Asia Medal.

(g)
Description.
The medal is Bronze 1
1/4
inches wide, with the words “SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE” across the center background. Above the center is a desert scene with a tank, armored personnel carrier, helicopter and camels with the rising sun in the background. Below the center is a seascape with ship, tanker, aircraft and clouds in the background. On the reverse, is an upraised sword entwined with a palm frond and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” around the edge. The ribbon is 1
3/8
inches wide and consists of the following stripes:
1/16
inch Black 67138;
1/8
inch Chamois 67142;
1/16
inch Old Glory Blue 67178;
1/16
inch White 67101;
1/16
inch Old Glory Red 67156;
3/16
inch Chamois;
3/32
inch Myrtle Green 67190; center
1/16
inch Black;
3/32
inch Myrtle Green;
3/16
inch Chamois;
1/16
inch Old Glory Red;
1/16
inch White;
1/16
inch Old Glory Blue;
1/8
inch Chamois; and
1/16
inch Black.

§ 578.28
Kosovo Campaign Medal.

(a)
Criteria.
The Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) was established by Executive Order 13154, May 3, 2000. It is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after March 24, 1999, meet the following criteria:

(1) Participated in or served in direct support of Kosovo Operation(s): ALLIED FORCE; JOINT GUARDIAN; ALLIEDHARBOUR; SUSTAIN HOPE/SHINING HOPE; NOBLE ANVIL; or Kosovo TASK FORCE(S): HAWK, SABER; or HUNTER within the Kosovo Air Campaign or Kosovo Defense Campaign areas of eligibility.

(i)
Kosovo Air Campaign.
The Kosovo Air Campaign began on March 24, 1999 and ended on June 10, 1999. The area of eligibility for the Air Campaign includes the total land area and air space of Serbia (including Kosovo), Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy and Slovenia; and the waters and air space of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea north of the 39th North latitude.

(ii)
Kosovo Defense Campaign.
The Kosovo Defense Campaign began on June 11, 1999 to a date to be determined. The area of eligibility for the Defense Campaign includes the total land area and air space of Serbia (including Kosovo), Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, and the waters and air space of the Adriatic Seas within 12 nautical miles of the Montenegro, Albania, and Croatia coastlines south of 42 degrees and 52 minutes North latitude.

(2) Service members must be bona fide members of a unit participating in or be engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive days in the area of eligibility or for 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involves entering the operations area of eligibility for meet one or more of the following criteria:

(i) Be engaged in actual combat, or duty that is equally as hazardous as combat duty, during the operation with armed opposition, regardless of time in the area of eligibility;

(ii) While participating in the operation, regardless of time, is wounded or injured and requires medical evacuation from the area of eligibility.

(iii) While participating as a regularly assigned aircrew member flying sorties into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in direct support of the military operations.

(b) The KCM may be awarded posthumously to any person who lost his or life without regard to the length of such service.

(c) One bronze service star will be worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the KCM for participation in each campaign (Kosovo Air Campaign and Kosovo Defense Campaign). Qualification for a second bronze service star requires meeting the criteria for both campaigns. The 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days that begin during the Air Campaign and continues into the Defense Campaign entitles a member to only one bronze service star.

(d)
Description.
The medal is bronze, 1
3/8
inches in diameter, with the stylized wreath of grain, reflecting the agricultural domination of the area and its economy, symbolizes the basic human rights while highlighting the desire of all for peace, safety and prosperity. The rocky terrain, fertile valley, and mountain pass refer to the Dinartic Alps and the Campaign Theater of operations. The sunrise denotes the dawning of a new age of unity and ho

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A06-2854. Public record. Not legal advice.