Honoring Service in America’s Military Conflicts
Campaign and War Medals recognize military personnel who served during specific wars, military campaigns, or designated operations. Unlike valor awards, which honor heroism, or achievement medals, which recognize exceptional performance, campaign medals acknowledge participation in significant military conflicts and operations.
These decorations preserve the history of America’s military service and recognize the sacrifices made by millions of service members across generations.
Whether earned during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Global War on Terrorism, each campaign medal tells the story of a service member’s contribution during an important chapter in American military history.
What Are Campaign & War Medals?
Campaign and War Medals are awarded to military personnel who meet eligibility requirements for serving during specific conflicts or military operations.
Eligibility may depend on:
- Service during designated dates
- Assignment to qualifying military operations
- Geographic location
- Time served in a combat zone
- Participation in approved campaigns
Many campaign medals also include campaign stars or service stars to recognize participation in multiple campaigns within the same conflict.
Major U.S. Campaign & War Medals
Some of the most recognized campaign and war medals include:
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Gulf War Medals
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- World War II Campaign Medals
- Korean Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Each recognizes military service during a specific conflict or military operation.
Vietnam Service Medal
The Vietnam Service Medal honors military personnel who served in support of operations during the Vietnam War.
Authorized service members include those who served in Vietnam and surrounding operational areas during qualifying dates established by the Department of Defense.
Campaign stars may be worn to recognize participation in multiple military campaigns during the conflict.
Learn more: Vietnam Service Medal
Gulf War Medals
Several military decorations recognize service during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and other qualifying Gulf War operations.
Depending on the location and period of service, eligible personnel may receive:
- Southwest Asia Service Medal
- Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
- Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
These awards recognize the coalition effort to liberate Kuwait and defend regional stability.
Learn more: Gulf War Medals
Iraq Campaign Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal recognizes military personnel who served in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and subsequent qualifying operations in Iraq.
Campaign stars may be authorized for participation in designated campaign phases throughout the conflict.
This medal reflects the dedication and sacrifice of those who served during one of America’s longest military operations.
Learn more: Iraq Campaign Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
The Afghanistan Campaign Medal honors military personnel who served in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and subsequent operations.
Recipients served under challenging conditions while conducting combat operations, security missions, humanitarian assistance, and reconstruction efforts.
Campaign stars recognize participation in specific phases of the conflict.
Learn more: Afghanistan Campaign Medal
World War II Campaign Medals
World War II produced numerous campaign medals recognizing service in different theaters of war.
Among the most well-known are:
- American Campaign Medal
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
These decorations recognize the service of millions of Americans who contributed to victory during the Second World War.
Learn more: World War II Campaign Medals
Korean Service Medal
The Korean Service Medal recognizes military personnel who served during the Korean War.
Campaign stars identify participation in individual military campaigns throughout the conflict.
The medal honors those who defended South Korea during one of the most significant conflicts of the Cold War.
Learn more: Korean Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Medals
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Department of Defense established several awards recognizing military service in the Global War on Terrorism.
These include:
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
These decorations recognize service members who supported worldwide counterterrorism operations in a variety of assignments.
Learn more: Global War on Terrorism Medals
Who Can Receive Campaign Medals?
Eligibility depends on the specific medal, but recipients generally must:
- Serve honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Meet the qualifying dates established for the campaign.
- Serve within the authorized geographic area or operation.
- Complete any required minimum service period when applicable.
Some medals are awarded automatically when service requirements are met, while others require verification of qualifying duty.
Campaign Stars and Service Devices
Many campaign medals include additional devices that recognize participation in multiple campaigns.
These may include:
- Bronze campaign stars
- Silver campaign stars
- Service stars
- Arrowheads
- Other authorized military devices
These devices provide additional recognition for participation in multiple operations or specialized missions.
Why Campaign Medals Matter
Campaign and War Medals preserve the history of America’s military conflicts while recognizing the dedication of those who served.
They document a service member’s participation in major historical events and often become treasured family heirlooms passed from one generation to the next.
For veterans, these decorations represent service, sacrifice, and commitment to defending the United States during times of war.
Replacing Campaign Medals
Veterans and eligible family members may request replacement campaign medals and military service records through the appropriate federal agencies.
If medals have been lost or damaged, replacement awards are often available for eligible recipients.
Visit our Veteran & Family Resources section to learn how to request replacement medals and official military records.
Preserving America’s Military History
Every campaign medal represents a chapter in American military history. From World War II to the Global War on Terrorism, these decorations recognize millions of men and women who answered the nation’s call to serve.
Learning about these medals helps preserve the legacy of military service and honors those who participated in some of the most important conflicts in modern history.
Related Articles
Vietnam Service Medal – Learn who qualified for the Vietnam Service Medal and the campaigns, service dates, and eligibility requirements for this historic decoration.
Gulf War Medals – Discover the medals awarded for service during the Gulf War, including eligibility requirements and participating military operations.
Iraq Campaign Medal – Explore the qualification criteria, campaign phases, and authorized service for recipients of the Iraq Campaign Medal.
Afghanistan Campaign Medal – Find out who earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the military operations and campaign periods it recognizes.
World War II Campaign Medals – Learn about the campaign medals awarded for service during World War II, including European, Asiatic-Pacific, and American theater awards.
Korean Service Medal – Understand the eligibility requirements for the Korean Service Medal and the campaign stars authorized for service during the Korean War.
Global War on Terrorism Medals – Discover the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, including who qualifies and how they differ.
Military Awards Order of Precedence – See the official order in which campaign medals, service medals, and other military decorations are worn.
Veteran & Family Resources – Access helpful information on replacing military medals, requesting service records, veteran benefits, and resources for military families.