The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military
award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289.
It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service
to the War on Terror from September 11, 2001 to a date to be determined.
Prior to April 30, 2005 the medal was awarded for service within Iraq and Afghanistan, but
has been replaced with the Iraq Campaign Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal and now serves
primarily as recognition for personnel who have deployed in support of the War on Terror
to locations beyond Iraq and Afghanistan.
Criteria To be awarded the Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, a military service member must perform duty in a deployed status and
must participate in designated anti-terrorism operation for a period of either 30 consecutive
or 60 non-consecutive days of duty.
For those who were engaged in combat, killed, or wounded in the line of duty, the time requirement
is waived.
The term "deployed status" indicates either temporary or permanent orders to a duty station
outside the borders of the United States of America with such duty being in direct support
of anti-terrorism operations.
For a service member to receive the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the
deployment must also have taken place in a nation which is currently recognized as a
base for anti-terrorism operations by the United States Department of Defense.
Currently, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal may be awarded for approved operations
performed in any of the following geographical areas:
The following bodies of water are also approved qualifying areas:
That portion of the Arabian Sea north of 10 degrees north latitude, and west of 68 degrees
east longitude Bab-el-Mandeb
Gulf of Aden Gulf of Aqaba
Gulf of Oman Gulf of Suez
A portion of the Mediterranean Sea Persian Gulf
Red Sea Strait of Hormuz
Suez Canal Additionally,personnel who participated in
Operation Nomad Shadow are eligible for the award.
On April 30, 2005 the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal was discontinued for service
within Iraq and Afghanistan, such service now being recognized with the Iraq Campaign
Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
Personnel who received the GWOTEM for previous service in these two regions may elect to
exchange the GWOTEM or retain the original award.
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a one time only award.
Service stars are not authorized.
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal may be awarded with the Arrowhead device
for qualified soldiers.
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal may be awarded with the combat operation
insignia for qualified sailors assigned to Marine Corps units.
The War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal was designed by John Sproston of the Army's Institute
of Heraldry.
Reintroduction On 2 October 2014, the Pentagon announced
that the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal would be awarded to servicemen participating
in the Operation Inherent Resolve against the Islamic State in recognition of their
service.
At that time, the operation had no official code name, but 1,700 troops had been deployed
to Iraq in potentially dangerous locations.
Troops participating in fighting against the Islamic State were not eligible for the Iraq
Campaign Medal because that only covered service during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
New Dawn.
The medal means the operation is part of Operation Enduring Freedom that, although synonymous
with the war in Afghanistan, is actually defined as a broad war on terrorism operation.
Expeditionary Medal and Service Medal A similar medal, the Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal, was created under the same Presidential Order that authorized the GWOT
Expeditionary Medal.
The primary difference between the two awards is that the service medal is intended for
those who performed support duty within the United States, while the expeditionary medal
recognizes those who were deployed to foreign countries.
For those participating in multiple operations, both the GWOT Service and GWOT Expeditionary
Medal may be authorized, but both medals can no longer be bestowed for the same qualifying
period of service.
The only exception is for service personnel who served in Iraq or Afghanistan prior to
April 30, 2005.
These personnel were awarded both the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Global
War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
See also Arrowhead device
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism
References