Army Achivement Medal

ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY

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

EFFECTIVE DATES

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

CRITERIA

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

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

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

DEVICES

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

DESIGNER AND SCULPTOR

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

FIRST RECIPIENT

The identity of the first recipient is unknown.

DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM

Obverse

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

Reverse

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

RIBBON

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