An international decoration is a military award which is not bestowed by a particular country, but rather by an international organization such as the United Nations or NATO. Such awards are normally issued as service medals, for participation in various international military operations, and not for specific acts of heroism or bravery. The first medal from an international organization accepted for wear by the United States Military was the United Nations Korea Medal in 1951. Subsequent acceptance of other United Nations Medals did not come until 1964 with Executive Order 11139. Acceptance of the medals of other international multilateral organizations finally came with Executive Order 11446 in 1969. Acceptance of these international decorations must be approved by not only the Secretary of Defense, but also the Secretary of State.
Contents
- United Nations
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- Multinational Force and Observers
- Inter American Defense Board
- SICOFAA
- CSDP
- References
The following is a list of the most commonly recognized international military decorations that has been or is currently awarded to members of the United States military. Such awards are always worn after all United States decorations, but before all Foreign decorations.
United Nations
The Assistant Secretary of Defense approved a change to the policy of the wear of United Nations Medals. Effective 13 October 1995, any US military personnel who is awarded a United Nations Medal may wear the ribbon of the first UN medal for which they qualify. Subsequent awards of the United Nations Medal for service in a different mission is noted by adding a bronze service star to the current ribbon. No more than one UN medal or ribbon may be worn at a time. Operations in which United States military personnel were awarded the United Nations Medal and authorized by the Department of Defense to accept and wear the medal are as follows:
United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in Palestinian territories/United Nations Observation Group in Lebanon United Nations Observer Group in India and Pakistan United Nations Korea Medal United Nations Temporary Executive Authority/UN Security Force in West New Guinea United Nations Iraq–Kuwait Observation Mission United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara United Nations Advance Mission in Cambodia United Nations Protection Force in Yugoslavia United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia United Nations Operation in Somalia II United Nations Operation in Mozambique United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia United Nations Mission in Haiti/United Nations Support Mission in Haiti United Nations Preventive Deployment Force United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala United Nations Special Service Medal/United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo United Nations Mission in East Timor/United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor/United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo/United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea United Nations Mission in Liberia United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in MaliNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization
United States military personnel may accept and wear NATO medals authorized by the Secretary General of NATO and offered to the US Representative to NATO to recognize US service members who meet the eligibility criteria specified by NATO, so long as acceptance is approved by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State. NATO Medals may be awarded with a clasp that designates the operation for which the medal is awarded. United States military personnel may accept, but not wear the clasp. To date the following medals are the only NATO Medals authorized for acceptance and wear by US military personnel:
NATO Meritorious Service Medal Yugoslavia service medal Kosovo service NATO Article 5 medal for Operation Eagle Assist NATO Article 5 medal for Operation Active Endeavour Non-article 5 medal for ISAF NATO Non-Article 5 medal for the Balkans Non-Article 5 medal for NATO Training Mission – Iraq Non-Article 5 medal for Africa Operations Allied Provider, Allied Protector, and Ocean Shield NATO Non-Article 5 medal for Operation Unified Protector NATO Non-Article 5 medal for Operation Resolute SupportMultinational Force and Observers
Multinational Force and Observers MedalInter-American Defense Board
Inter-American Defense Board MedalSICOFAA
The System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces awards the following decorations:
SICOFAA Legion of Merit Gentleman SICOFAA Legion of Merit Officer SICOFAA Legion of Merit Grand CrossCSDP
Common Security and Defence Policy
CSDP ALTHEA Operations medal ribbon bar CSDP ALTHEA Staff medal ribbon bar