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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
With major worldwide conflicts like World War II and Korea giving
way to the Cold War's smaller regional conflicts, the Department of Defense
developed the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to recognize such
duty. The medal was authorized through Executive Order 10977 signed by President
Kennedy on 4 Dec. 1961 and amplified later by Executive Order 11231 on 08
July 1965.
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal can be earned through U.S. military
operations, operations in direct support of the United Nations and U.S.
operations of assistance to friendly foreign nations.
A minimum of 30 days consecutive or 60 days nonconsecutive service
is required for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, unless the full period
of an operation is less than 30 days, for which participation for the entire
period is required. Personnel engaged in combat or a duty which is equally
as hazardous, qualify for award without regard for time in the area.
Those who qualify for award of more than one Armed Forces Expeditionary
Medal are awarded a bronze service star for each successive qualifying period.
Originally, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was designated to
replace the Navy and Marine Corps expeditionary medals.
This was the case from 1962 until 1978, when the two services' medals once
again entered their inventory for service-specific operations.
More than 20 periods of service have been authorized. A listing of
eligible periods of service is found in the Navy
Battle Streamer section.
20 June 1998