MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- I Marine Expeditionary Force servicemembers, at home and abroad serving in the war on terrorism, will now be recognized for their service. Defense officials announced Feb. 26 the final approval of two new medals and their criteria.

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal will initially be awarded to individuals who have deployed to Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom as soon as a Marine Administrative message is published.

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal will be initially awarded to those who supported Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle or Iraqi Freedom.

“These medals recognize the significant contributions members of the armed forces bring to bear in combating terrorism in all forms throughout the world - for both current and future operations,” stated a DoD news release.

According to Sgt. John Ulmer, administrative chief, Headquarters Marine Corps Awards Branch, it is possible that Marines or Sailors will be awarded both.

“However, no specific criteria for those individuals has been set,” he said.

To be awarded the expeditionary medal, servicemembers must have deployed overseas for service in the Global War of Terrorism operations on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

Individuals must have been deployed outside the United States for OEF or OIF for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days. The time requirement is not needed if the individual engaged in combat, was wounded or killed in action, or was medically evacuated for any reason, officials said.

Each day aircrew members fly sorties into designated areas counts as one day of deployment toward the 30- or 60-day requirement.

Individuals engaged in actual combat may be eligible for battle stars on the expeditionary medal. Only a combatant commander can initiate a request for a battle star, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the approving authority for them, the release states.

The area of eligibility encompasses the U.S. Central Command area (excluding the lower Horn of Africa); Middle East; eastern Turkey; Philippines; Diego Garcia; and all air spaces above the land and adjacent water areas, according to the release.

The expeditionary medal ribbon is scarlet, white and blue representing the United States. Light blue refers  to worldwide cooperation against terrorism and gold denotes excellence.

The front of the medal is a bronze color medal disc charged with a shield adapted from the Great seal of the United States surmounting two swords hilts to base saltierwise enclosed within a wreath of laurel; overall and eagle, wings displayed, grasping in it’s claws a serpent. The shield and eagle represent the United States readiness and the resolve to fight international terrorism, which is symbolized by the serpent crushed in the eagle’s claws. The wreath denotes honor and achievement.
The back of the medal has the eagle, serpent and swords from the front of the medal within the encircling inscription “War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.”_

Personnel eligible to receive the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal must have participated or supported operations on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Service medal eligibility dates for individuals who served in airport security operations run from Sept. 27, 2001, until May 31, 2002.

The same 30- or 60-day requirements apply to the service medal as to the expeditionary medal.

The service medal ribbon is scarlet, white and blue representing the United States, with gold denoting excellence.

The front of the medal is a bronze colored medal disc charged with an eagle, wings displayed, with a stylized shield of 13 vertical bars on it’s breast and holding in dexter claw and olive branch and in sinister claw three arrows, all in front of a terrestrial globe with the inscription above, “War on Terrorism Service Medal.” The eagle  and shield, adapted from Great Seal, represents the united states. The protect the globe above and behind, symbolizing American resolve to combat and overcome global elements of international terrorism. The laurel represents the drive for peace. The three arrows signify vigilance, resolve and peace.

The back of the medal has a laurel wreath on a plain field.


According to a DoD release, each service will set regulations for processing, awarding and wearing of the medals and ribbons for their members, including information for veterans, retirees and next-of-kin.

“We’re sending out two separate messages – one for expeditionary and one for the service medal,” said Ulmer.

Headquarters Marine Corps is currently finalizing the message regarding the medals, which should be out within the next two weeks, said Ulmer.

Once released the message will be available on www.usmc.mil.