The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was created by Executive Order 13363 of President George W. Bush on November 29, 2004, and became available for general distribution in June 2005. The medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry.
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal is awarded to any member of the United States 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 was active until the conclusion of Operation Allies Refuge on August 31, 2021. Personnel who have been engaged in combat with an enemy force, or personnel who have been wounded in combat within Afghanistan, may receive the ACM regardless of the number of days spent within the country. The medal was also awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries such as accidents and mishaps."DoD Announces Criteria for Two New Campaign Medals" United States Department of Defense 07 April 2005"New Campaign Medals Recognize Iraq, Afghanistan Service" United States Department of Defense 07 April 2005
Campaign phases and devices The following are the approved campaign phases and respective dates for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal: PhaseFromTo Liberation of Afghanistan September 11, 2001 November 30, 2001 Consolidation I December 1, 2001 September 30, 2006 Consolidation II October 1, 2006 November 30, 2009 Consolidation III December 1, 2009 June 30, 2011 Transition I July 1, 2011 December 31, 2014 Transition II (Note 1) January 1, 2015 August 31, 2021Note 1: For Operation FREEDOM's SENTINEL pursuant to USD(P&R)memorandum dated February 13, 2015, titled, "Afghanistan Campaign Medal –Operation FREEDOM’s SENTINEL and Transition II Campaign Phase."
Examples of campaign stars worn on the Afghanistan Campaign Medal service ribbon: One of the six phases Two of the six phases Three of the six phases Four of the six phases Five of the six phases All six phases
The following ribbon devices are authorized for wear on the Afghanistan Campaign Medal:Army Regulation 600-8-22 Air Force Instruction 36-2803 Coast Guard Commandant Instruction 1650.25D
Campaign stars (all branches) Arrowhead device (Army, Air Force, and Space Force) Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia (Navy personnel assigned to a Marine Corps unit in combat)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal The Afghanistan Campaign Medal replaces the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) for service in Afghanistan and personnel who previously received the GWOT-EM for Afghanistan service may elect to exchange the medal for the ACM. Both medals may not be received for the same period of service in Afghanistan and any current Afghanistan service will only be recognized with the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
See also Awards and decorations of the United States military United Kingdom Afghanistan medal
References