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Antarctica Service Medal

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  The Antarctica Service Medal (ANTSM) is awarded to any person, who, from 2 January 1946 to a date to be announced was a members of the Armed Forces of the United States, US citizens or resident aliens of the US or was a member of a US expedition participating in scientific, direct support or exploratory operations in the Antarctic or who participates or has participated in a foreign Antarctic expedition in coordination with a US expedition under sponsorship of a competent US government authority.

  From 1 July 1973 to 31 August 2008, the minimum time limit for award is 30 days under competent orders to duty at sea or ashore, south of latitude 60 degrees South. Members assigned to duty at an outlying station on the Antarctic continent may qualify for the award after 15 days. The days do not need to be consecutive.

  From 1 July 1987 to 30 September 1999, flight crews of aircraft providing logistics support from outside the Antarctic area may qualify for the award after 15 missions to a location south of latitude 60 degrees South. One flight in and out during a 24-hour period equals one mission.

  Effective 1 October 1999, flight crews of aircraft providing logistics support from outside the Antarctic area may qualify for the award after 10 missions to a location south of latitude 60 degrees South. One flight in and out during a 24-hour period equals one mission.

  Effective 1 September 2008, minimum time limitation for award is 10 days under competent orders to duty at sea or ashore, south of latitude 60 degrees South. The days do not have to be consecutive.

  Authorized Devices: "Wintered Over" clasp (for wear on the suspension medal) and disc (for wear on the bar ribbon). Devices will be awarded in bronze for the first winter, in gold for the second winter, and in silver for three or more winters.

Description: Medal, a bronze medal, 1 1/4 inches in diameter, with a view of a polar landscape and the standing figure in Antarctica clothing facing to the front between the horizontally placed words "ANTARCTICA" on the figure's right and "SERVICE" on the figure's left. Reverse: A polar projection with geodesic lines of the continent of Antarctica across which are the horizontally placed words "COURAGE," "SACRIFICE," and "DEVOTION," all within a circular decorative border of penguins and marine life.

Category of Award: U.S. Campaign and Service Medal

Authorized by: DoD Instruction 1348.9, March 2, 1973

Device(s): Bronze, Gold, Silver Clasp and Disk

References:
AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program, Pages 172 and 173
DoD Manual 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Pages 152 and 153

Page updated May 10, 2017

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