The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) recognizes U.S. military personnel who deployed overseas in support of approved Global War on Terrorism operations. Established in 2003 following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the medal honors service members who participated in designated expeditionary missions outside the United States.
Unlike the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, which recognizes support from home stations and installations, the GWOT Expeditionary Medal is awarded for deployment to qualifying operational areas.
History of the Medal
President George W. Bush established the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal by Executive Order 13289 on March 12, 2003.
The medal recognizes military members who deployed in support of operations associated with the Global War on Terrorism beginning on September 11, 2001.
Over time, some operations originally recognized with the GWOT Expeditionary Medal were later assigned campaign-specific medals, such as those for Iraq and Afghanistan.
Who Is Eligible?
The medal may be awarded to members of:
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Marine Corps
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Space Force
Personnel must deploy outside the United States to an approved area of eligibility.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
Generally, service members must:
- Deploy abroad in support of approved Global War on Terrorism operations.
- Serve in a designated area of eligibility.
- Be assigned to participating units.
- Meet the required time-in-theater criteria.
Time Requirements
Most qualifying deployments require:
- 30 consecutive days, or
- 60 non-consecutive days
Exceptions may apply for:
- Combat participation
- Medical evacuation due to wounds or injuries
- Personnel killed during qualifying operations
- Certain aircrew and maritime missions
Areas of Eligibility
Approved operational areas have included locations in:
- Southwest Asia
- The Horn of Africa
- The Arabian Sea
- The Gulf of Aden
- The Red Sea
- The Indian Ocean
- The Philippines
- Djibouti
- Kenya
- Yemen
- Syria
- Other approved regions designated by the Department of Defense
Eligibility depends on official Department of Defense guidance in effect during the deployment.
Iraq and Afghanistan Exception
Initially, service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan received the GWOT Expeditionary Medal.
After the establishment of the:
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
most personnel became eligible for those campaign medals instead.
In most cases, service members may not receive both awards for the same period of qualifying service.
Medal Design
The bronze medal measures approximately 1ΒΌ inches in diameter.
Obverse
The front depicts an eagle standing over a globe, symbolizing the worldwide nature of the Global War on Terrorism.
Reverse
The reverse includes an eagle with shield and the inscription:
FOR SERVICE IN GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM
Ribbon Description
The ribbon features:
- Gold
- Blue
- White
- Red
- Black
The colors represent courage, vigilance, sacrifice, and the joint military effort involved in overseas counterterrorism operations.
Devices
Bronze service stars may be authorized for participation in multiple qualifying operations when approved by the Department of Defense.
Difference Between the GWOT Expeditionary Medal and GWOT Service Medal
| GWOT Expeditionary Medal | GWOT Service Medal |
|---|---|
| Overseas deployment | Service supporting GWOT from home station |
| Expeditionary operations | Non-deployed qualifying service |
| Awarded for approved operational areas | Awarded for broader support roles |
| Requires deployment | Does not necessarily require deployment |
Order of Precedence
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is worn according to the official U.S. military order of precedence among campaign and expeditionary awards.
Collecting the Medal
Collectors often seek:
- Original government-issued medals
- Full-size medals
- Miniature medals
- Ribbon bars
- Presentation cases
- Named award groups
- Deployment documentation
Awards accompanied by official orders and service records are generally the most desirable to collectors.
Interesting Facts
- The medal recognizes overseas service in the Global War on Terrorism.
- It applies to numerous approved operations outside the United States.
- It remains an active military decoration for qualifying expeditionary service.
- Many recipients later qualified for campaign-specific medals as operations evolved.
- Eligibility is determined by official Department of Defense authorization.
Conclusion
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal honors U.S. service members who deployed overseas in support of counterterrorism missions following September 11, 2001. It recognizes the dedication, readiness, and sacrifice of military personnel serving in challenging operational environments across the globe. For many veterans, it represents a significant chapter in modern U.S. military history and their contribution to international security.