NATO Medal
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The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. There are currently nine versions of the NATO Medal in existence, for service in Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Republic of Macedonia, two for service during Article 5 operations (Eagle Assist, Active Endeavor) , and three for Non-Article 5 NATO operations (ISAF, Balkans, NTM-Iraq). In addition, there are corresponding clasps for operations such as ISAF, Kosovo, Former Yugoslavia, NTM-Iraq (NATO Training Mission-Iraq) and clasps designating Article 5, and Non-Article 5 designations. There is also a NATO Meritorious Service Medal, with a "Meritorious Service" clasp as well.
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[edit] Yugoslavia Medal
The NATO Medal for Yugoslavia service was created in June 1992 and awarded to any military member of a NATO peacekeeping force who performed service in the former republics of Yugoslavia for at least thirty days. For those performing support missions to Yugoslavia, such as from European bases or ships in the Adriatic Sea, a total of ninety days of duty in direct support of Yugoslavia NATO missions is required from the NATO Medal to be awarded. Under the same conditions of service, some medals have also been awarded to NATO International Civilians and civilians of the member nations attached to the military forces.
The termination date for the NATO Medal for Yugoslavia service For U.S. Forces is October 12, 1998.
[edit] Kosovo Medal
The NATO Medal for Kosovo service was created in October 1998 and was awarded to any service or civilian member who participated in NATO sponsored campaigns as a member of a NATO peacekeeping force to the Serbian Province of Kosovo. To date, the following military campaigns have been authorized by NATO for the presentation of the NATO Medal for Kosovo service.
- Operation Allied Force (24 Mar 99 - 10 Jun 99)
- Operation Joint Guardian (11 Jun 99 - TBD)
- Operation Allied Harbour (4 Apr 99 - 1 Sep 99)
- Operation Sustain Hope (4 Apr 99 - 10 Jul 99)
- Operation Noble Anvil (24 Mar 99 - 20 Jul 99)
The NATO Medal for Kosovo is also authorized for membership in the following NATO controlled Kosovo Task Forces
- Task Force Hawk (5 Apr 99 - 24 Jun 99)
- Task Force Saber (31 Mar 99 - 8 Jul 99)
- Task Force Falcon (11 Jun 99 – TBD)
- Task Force Hunter (1 Apr 99 - 1 Nov 99)
A very similar decoration, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, was issued by the United States armed forces for participation in the same operations. For U.S. Forces, the Non-Article 5 Medal for Balkan Service replaced the NATO Kosovo Medal effective 1 January 2003. U.S. regulations allow the awarding of both the Kosovo Campaign Medal, and appropriate NATO medal for the same period of service. However for those personnel entitled to more than one NATO Medal during the same period of service, only one may be awarded, and their NATO chain of command will deem which is appropriate.
[edit] Macedonia Medal
To qualify, personnel must have served in the Republic of Macedonia for at least 25 days from 1 June 2001 until 27 September 2001, or for at least 30 days since then. Among others entitled to the medal are the military personel who took part in Operation Essential Harvest.
[edit] Article 5 Medal
Awarded for participation in NATO Operations Eagle Assist, and Active Endeavor.
For U.S. Forces the qualifying period for the NATO Article 5 medal for Operation Eagle Assist is 30 continuous, or accumulated days inside the North American Airspace as tasked by the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Qualifying period for the 30 days required is between 12 October 2001, and 16 May 2002.
For U.S. Forces the qualifying period for the NATO Article 5 medal for Operation Active Endeavor is 30 continuous, or accumulated days assigned as an individual or part of an element of the Standing Naval Force (SNF), while operating in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea, or the airspace above it. Entitlement to this award will be acquired by those forces under both NATO and national command or control available to the Commander of the in place SNF, appointed as Commander, Task Force Endeavor, and only while in the area of operation. The qualifying period for the 30 days required, either continuous or accumulated is from 26 October 2001, to a date to be determined.
[edit] Non-Article 5 Medal
This medal is authorised to replace the NATO medals issued for NATO Operations Joint Forge and Joint Guardian.
For U.S. Forces, eligibility for the Non-Article 5 Medal for the Balkans remains the same as those previous NATO medals with the exception of the dates of service. Those members entering the Balkan theatre on or after January 1st, 2003 will be eligible for the Non-Article 5 medal. The service must be 30 days either continuous or accumulated. Aircrew members will accumulate one days of service for the first sortie flown during any day of the operation. Additional sorties on the same day will receive no further credit. The Balkans area is delineated as the political boundaries and airspace of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FRY (including Kosovo), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Albania, based on the detailed description contained in the SFOR, KFOR, and TF Fox OPLANS. Service members who are entitled to more than one NATO medal during the same period will only be awarded one NATO Medal. The NATO chain of command will deem which medal is appropriate.
This medal may also be awarded with the "ISAF" clasp for service in Afghanistan, as well as the "NTM-I" clasp for service in Iraq for NATO forces.
For U.S. Forces the eligibility for the Non-Article 5 Medal for service with the ISAF are those who are members of units or staffs as set out in the Joint Operations Area taking part in operations in Afghanistan. The area of eligiblity is delineated by the political boundaries of the International Security and Assistance Force. The service must be 30 days either continuous or accumulated, from 31 July 2006 to a date to be determined.
[edit] NATO Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded for exceptional service to NATO.
[edit] Service Versions
To differentiate between the versions of the NATO Medal, a different ribbon pattern scheme is used for each of the decorations. The NATO Medal for Yugoslavia service consists of a blue ribbon with two thin white stripes on each side, very similar in appearance to the United Nations Medal. The NATO Medal for Kosovo service appears as a mixed blue and white stripped ribbon, with white stripes on the side as well as a wide white central stripe. The NATO Medal for Macedonia appears as a blue and white mixed ribbon with four white stripes. The Article 5 NATO Medal for Operation Eagle Assist has a blue background with a thin central golden stripe surrounded by white stripes. The Article 5 Medal for Operation Active Endeavor has a blue blackground with two thin golden colored stripes surrounded by white stripes. The Non-Article 5 medal for the Balkans operations consists of a blue background with a central silver stripe surrounded by white stripes. The Non Article 5 Medal for ISAF, and NTM-I operations consists of a blue background with two silver stripes surrounded by white stripes. The NATO Meritorious Serice Medal consists of a blue background with silver and white stripes on the outer most portion of the ribbon, and the medallion color is changed from bronze in appearance to a silver medallion for this medal only. All medals except the Macedonian NATO Medal have corresponding campaign clasps, however some militaries (such as the United States) prohibit the wearing of the medal with a clasp and instead authorize service stars. For U.S. Forces, service stars, indicate additional awards to the NATO Medal. In cases where a U.S. service member has received both NATO Medals, most military services besides the U.S. will allow both decorations to be worn simultaneously as they are considered separate awards.
To date, only the NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia, the NATO Medal for Kosovo Service, both of the Article 5 Medals, and the Non-Article 5 medals for the Balkans and Afhghanistan (ISAF) have been authorised for wear on U.S. Military uniforms. Members may accept, but may not wear other NATO medals, such as the Macedonia NATO Medal, and the Non-Article 5 Medal for service in Iraq, under the NTM-I. The NATO Meritorious Service Medal also remains not authorised for wear on U.S. Military uniforms.
