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NATO Medal

 The NATO Medal is awarded by the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to military and civilian members of the Armed Forces of the United States who participate in designated NATO operations.

The following missions/operations have been approved by the Secretary of Defense, for acceptance and wear:
  1 Operations related to the former Republic of Yugoslavia, November 14, 1995 to a date to be determined.
  2 Operations related to Kosovo, October 13, 1998 to December 31, 2002.
  3 Operation EAGLE ASSIST, October 12, 2001 to May 16, 2002.
  4 Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR, October 26, 2001 to a date to be determined.
  5 International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, June 1, 2003 to a date to be determined.
  6 Operations in the Balkans, January 1, 2003 to a date to be determined).

 Acceptance; Acceptance of the NATO Medal has been approved for U.S. military personnel who serve under NATO command or operational control in direct support of the above NATO operations.

 Presentation; The NATO Medal will normally be presented by the Allied Command Europe headquarters exercising operational command or control over U.S. military units or individuals prior to their departure from service with NATO.

 Medal set; The medal set includes a ribbon clasp denoting the specific operation for which the award was made. U.S. service members are authorized to retain the ribbon clasp presented but may not wear the clasp. Only the basic medal and service ribbon are authorized for wear on the uniform.

 Subsequent awards; Subsequent awards (if approved by the Secretary of Defense) for service in a different NATO operation, U.S. military personnel will affix a bronze service star to the NATO Medal suspension ribbon and service ribbon.

 Precedence; The NATO Medal will have the same precedence as the United Nations Medal, but will rank immediately below the United Nations Medal when the wearer has been awarded both medals

Category of Award: Foreign Service Award

Beginning Date: Varies with Operation

Ending Date: Varies with Operation

Device(s): Bronze Service Star

References:
AR 600-8-22, Army Regulation, Military Awards, Page 126
DoD Manual 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Page 75

Page updated June 9, 2017

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