The Iraq Campaign Medal became available for general distribution in June of 2005. The decoration is awarded to any member of the U.S. military who has performed duty within the borders of Iraq (or its territorial waters) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days. The medal is retroactive to March 19, 2003 and is active until a date to be determined. The Iraq Campaign Medal will most likely be issued until at least the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Note: For service members serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom after 19 March 2003, the Iraq Campaign Medal replaces the Terror Expeditionary Medal. Contact your command for specific eligibility details.
Personnel who have been engaged in combat with an enemy force, or personnel who have been wounded in combat or wounded as a result of a terrorist attack within Iraq, may receive the Iraq Campaign Medal regardless of the number of days spent within the country. The medal is also awarded posthumously to any service member who dies in the line of duty within Iraq, including from non-combat injuries such as accidents and mishaps.
The Iraq Campaign Medal is awarded without device and is a one time issued medal. The decoration replaces the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for service in Iraq and personnel who previously received the GWOTEM for Iraq service may elect to exchange the medal for the new Iraq Campaign Medal. Both medals may not be received for the same period of service in Iraq and any future Iraq service will only be recognized with the Iraq Campaign Medal.
