Afghanistan Campaign Medal

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Afghanistan Campaign Medal obverse (left) and reverse (right).
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Afghanistan Campaign Medal obverse (left) and reverse (right).

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States military which was created by Executive Order of President George W. Bush on November 28, 2004. A similar medal, known as the Iraq Campaign Medal was authorized for service during the same period within the borders of Iraq. The Afghanistan Campaign Medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry.

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal became available for general distribution in June of 2005. The decoration is awarded to any member of the U.S. military who has performed duty within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days. The medal is retroactive to October 24, 2001 and is active until a date to be determined (most likely until the end of Operation Enduring Freedom).

Personnel who have been engaged in combat with an enemy force, or personnel who have been wounded in combat within Afghanistan, may receive the Afghanistan Campaign Medal regardless of the number of days spent within the country. The medal is also awarded posthumously to any service member who dies in the line of duty within Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries such as accidents and mishaps.

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is a one time issued medal. No service stars are authorized. The Afghanistan Campaign Medal may be awarded with the Arrowhead device for qualified soldiers. The Afghanistan Campaign Medal may be awarded with the combat operation insignia for qualified sailors assigned to Marine Corps units. The decoration replaces the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for service in Afghanistan and personnel who previously received the GWOTEM for Afghanistan service may elect to exchange the medal for the new Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Both medals may not be received for the same period of service in Afghanistan and any future Afghanistan service will only be recognized with the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

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