ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Cuban Medal for Veterans of the Spanish-American War was established by Cuban Decree-Law Number 867 of February 13, 1934. ACCEPTANCE BY THE UNITED STATES Formal acceptance and wear of this medal was never announced because it was a medal for veterans who were no longer on active service. CRITERIA The medal was […]
ESTABLISHING LEGISLATION The Medal for Humane Action was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 178, 81st Congress) on July 20, 1949. EVENT COMMEMORATED The Medal for Humane Action commemorates military service in direct support of the Berlin Airlift. It was awarded to members of the Armed Forces for 120 days service in, or in […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in the Western Sahara was established by Security Council Resolution 690 in April of 1991. PURPOSE OF THE MISSION The MINURSO was established to enable the people of Western Sahara to choose freely between integration with Morocco or to achieve independence. EFFECTIVE DATES This mission has […]
Background Information* The Air Force was originally the Army Air Corps, but with passage of the National Security Act of 1947 it was established as a co-equal partner in the National Military Establishment. At first the Air Force retained the multiple directorate organization used when it was the Army Air Corps. Stuart Symington, the first […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon was established on July 15, 1997, by Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton. EEFFECTIVE DATES The Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon is awarded retroactive to October 6, 1952 (the date the Marine Corps Drill Instructors’ School was established). CRITERIA Marines possessing the 8511 MOS who have […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Overseas Service Ribbon (Long Tour) was established on October 12, 1980, by the Air Force Chief of Staff, General Lew Allen, Jr. EFFECTIVE DATES This ribbon is retroactive without restriction. CRITERIA This ribbon is awarded to Air Force members credited with completion of an overseas assignment defined as a “long tour” by […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation was established on August 12, 1921, by Commandant of the Coast Guard Rear Admiral William F. Reynolds. The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon was established on March 17, 1979, by Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral John B. Hayes. EFFECTIVE DATES The Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon was […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Marine Corps Combat Instructor Ribbon was established on August 22, 2014, by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. EFFECTIVE DATES The Marine Corps Combat Instructor Ribbon is awarded retroactively to all Marines with qualifying service beginning on or after October 9, 2002. CRITERIA The Marine Corps Combat Instructor Ribbon is awarded to […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox established the Navy Commendation Ribbon on November 1, 1943, and announced its creation by ALNAV 11 of January 11, 1944. It was redesignated as the Navy Commendation Ribbon With Metal Pendant on March 22, 1950, and as the Navy Commendation Medal on September 21, 1960. On September […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was established by Executive Order 10977 signed by President John F. Kennedy on December 4, 1961. EFFECTIVE DATES For United States Military Operations: Quemoy & Matsu Islands (off Mainland China: August 23, 1956 to June 1, 1963 Lebanon: July 1 to November 1, 1958 Taiwan Straits: August 23, […]
BACKGROUND Sometimes called the China War Memorial Medal, this medal was authorized by the Chinese Nationalist Government for issue to all servicemen and others who assisted the Chinese in their fight against Japan during the Second World War. It was awarded to both military and civilian personnel who were directly involved in the war effort. […]
Establishing Authority The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon was established on January 1, 1963, by Secretary of the Air Force Eugene M. Zuckert. Effective Dates The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon has been in effect since January 1, 1963. Criteria This ribbon is awarded to Air Force personnel who qualify as “expert” with either the […]
BACKGROUND In a letter dated May 13, 2000, to Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, Republic of Korea Defense Minister Seong Tae Cho formally announced that his government would provide the Republic of Korea War Service Medal to eligible U.S. veterans of that conflict, or to their surviving next of kin. The medal will be […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Kuwait Liberation Medal was approved by the Council of Ministers for award in five classes, generally according to the rank of the recipient. The medal was offered without reference to class by Chief of Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces on July 16, 1994. ACCEPTANCE BY THE UNITED STATES Acceptance and wear […]
