Army Soldiers Medal - Heroism
Awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. Often, the medal is awarded to soldiers who risk their lives to save other people. The medal can be awarded in peacetime if the soldier's heroism is held to be equal to or greater than the level which would have justified an award of the Distinguished Service Cross if the act had taken place in combat.


Army National Guard Components Achievement Medal
Awarded for four years of honorable service in the Army National Guard with additional awards denoted by oak leaf clusters. Effective March 28, 1995, the period of qualifying service for the award was reduced from four years to three years; however, this change was not retroactive. The Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal may also be awarded to officers in the grade of Colonel or below. The decoration was first created in 1972. Reserve Good Conduct Medals are typically intended only for enlisted personnel and are not eligible to be presented to officers. The primary difference between the regular Good Conduct Medal and the Reserve Good Conduct Medal is that the Good Conduct Medal is only issued for active duty service while the reserve equivalent is bestowed for reserve duties such as drill and annual training. The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a similar decoration which is awarded for ten years of honorable reserve service and is presented to both officers and enlisted personnel.


Army Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded to any soldier who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Army, distinguishes himself or herself with exceptionally meritorious service to the United States in a duty of great responsibility. The performance must be of a level as to merit recognition for service that is clearly "exceptional." Exceptional performance of normal duties does not alone justify the award. For service not related to actual war, the term "duty of a great responsibility" applies to a narrower range of positions than in time of war, and requires evidence of conspicuously significant achievement. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of higher positions of great importance. Because of the medal's criteria, most recipients of the Army Distinguished Service Medal are general officers. Awards may also be made to persons other than members of the U.S. Armed Forces for wartime services only, and then only under exceptional circumstances, with express Presidential approval. Separate Distinguished Service Medals exist for the different U.S. branches of service as well as a fifth version of the medal (a senior award of the United States Department of Defense).


Civil War Campaign Medal - Army
The medal was first authorized in 1905 for the fortieth anniversary of the Civil War's conclusion. It was awarded to any veteran of the conflict, regardless of what side the veteran had served on (Union or Confederate). It was issued in two versions, one for United States Army or Confederate States Army service and the other for duty in the Confederate or United States Navy. The Army Civil War Campaign Medal displayed an engraved image of Abraham Lincoln while the Navy version depicted an ironclad battle. Members of the Confederate Marines and United States Marine Corps were eligible to receive the Navy version of the Civil War Campaign Medal. The medal was originally intended as a Commemorative Decoration, but was almost immediately granted status as a military decoration authorized for wear on active duty uniforms. This was due in large part to the fact that several senior military officers, still on active duty in 1905, were veterans of the Civil War. In 1918, for those who had been cited for gallantry in action, the Silver Citation Star was authorized as a device to the medal. The Civil War Campaign Medal is considered the first campaign service medal of the United States military. The decoration was awarded to members of the Union and Confederate militaries who had served in the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865.


World War II (WW II) Army of Occupation Medal
Awarded for 30 days consecutive service while assigned to: Germany (excluding Berlin) between 9 May 1945 and 5 May 1955; Austria between 9 May 1945 and 27 July 1955; Berlin between 9 May 1945 and 2 October 1990. Service between 9 May and 8 November 1945 may be counted only if the EAME Campaign Medal was awarded for service prior to 9 May 1945; Italy between 9 May 1945 and 15 September 1947 in the compartment of Venezia Giulia E. Zara or Province of Udine, or with a unit in Italy designated in DA General Order 4, 1947; Japan between 3 September 1945 and 27 April 1952 in the four main islands of Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu; the surrounding smaller islands of the Japanese homeland; the Ryukyu Islands; and the Bonin-Volcano Islands; Korea between 3 September 1945 and 29 June 1949. Other special scenario awards may be applicable.


Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
Awarded for four years of honorable service in the Army Reserve with additional awards denoted by oak leaf clusters. Effective March 28, 1995, the period of qualifying service for the award was reduced from four years to three years; however, this change was not retroactive. The Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal may also be awarded to officers in the grade of Colonel or below. The decoration was first created in 1972. Reserve Good Conduct Medals are typically intended only for enlisted personnel and are not eligible to be presented to officers. The primary difference between the regular Good Conduct Medal and the Reserve Good Conduct Medal is that the Good Conduct Medal is only issued for active duty service while the reserve equivalent is bestowed for reserve duties such as drill and annual training. The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a similar decoration which is awarded for ten years of honorable reserve service and is presented to both officers and enlisted personnel.



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Army Good Conduct Medal
Awarded to any enlisted member of the United States Army who completes three consecutive years of "honorable and faithful service. Such service implies that a standard enlistment was completed without any non-judicial punishments, disciplinary infractions, or court martial offenses. If a service member commits an offense, the three-year mark "resets" and a service member must perform an additional three years of discipline free service before the Good Conduct may be authorized. During times of war, the Army Good Conduct Medal may be awarded for one year of faithful service. The medal may also be awarded posthumously, to any soldier killed in the line of duty. To denote additional decorations of the award, a series of Good Conduct Knots are provided as attachments to the decoration. Service for the Army Good Conduct Medal must be performed on active duty and the medal is not awarded to members of the Army reserve or National Guard who are not federalized to active service. For those Reserve and Guard members who satisfactorily perform annual training and drill duty, however, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal may be awarded in lieu.Attachments: Bronze Good Conduct Knot Device, Silver Good Conduct Knot Device.


Bronze Star Medal
A U.S. Armed Forces individual military decoration and the fourth-highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. Awarded to a member of the military who, while serving in or with the military of the United States after December 6, 1941, distinguished him or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star. Awards may also be made to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The required achievement or service while of lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction. To be eligible for the Bronze Star Medal, a military member must be getting hostile fire/imminent danger pay, during the event for which the medal is to be awarded. The Bronze Star Medal is typically referred to by its full name (including the word "Medal") to differentiate the decoration from bronze service stars which are worn on campaign medals and service awards.Attachments: Bronze Oak Leaf Device, Silver Oak Leaf Device, Bronze Letter "V" Device.


Iraq Campaign Medal
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. 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.

Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Awarded to any member of the U.S. 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 is active until a date to be determined. Personnel who have been engaged in combat with an enemy force, or personnel who have been wounded in combat within Afghanistan, may receive the Afghanistan 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 Afghanistan, including from non-combat injuries such as accidents and mishaps.


Air and Space Campaign Medal
Awarded to personnel who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself/herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service.


Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal
Awarded to civilians having been involved in direct support of the Armed Forces and who meet other specific criteria pertaining to the duration of the support in a specifically designated military operation beginning on or after 1 June 1992. To date, the designated operations are the following: Former Republic of Yugoslavia Operations (Maritime Monitor, Provide Promise, Deny Flight, Sharp Guard, Able Sentry, Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard, and Joint Forge); Haiti Operations (UN Mission in Haiti, US Forces Haiti, and US Support Group Haiti); and Provide Comfort. As a general rule, when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has approved issuance of the AFSM for military participation in humanitarian or peacekeeping operations, the AFCSM may be awarded for the same operation. Employees must be engaged in direct support of the military for 30 consecutive days in the area of eligibility or for the full period when an operation is of less than 30 days in a military operation awarded the AFSM. Alternatively, the employee would qualify for the medal by providing direct support for 60 non-consecutive days in an AFSM operation provided this support involves the employee entering the areas of eligibility. The areas of eligibility are the same as designated for approved AFSM military operations, specifically: The foreign territory on which military troops have actually landed or are present and specifically deployed for the operation; Adjacent water areas in which ships are operating, patrolling, or providing direct support of the operation; and the air space above and adjacent to the area in which an operation is being conducted. The AFCSM is a "theater" award: Any eligible civilian employee who has been in the theater of operations and meets the other qualifying criteria is eligible for the award. Although the beginning date for the award has been established, the ending date has not yet been determined. No more than one AFCSM medal may be awarded to any one civilian employee. Participation in subsequent eligible operations may be acknowledged with a certificate and/or a 3/16 Bronze Service Star. A contribution to or support of an AFSM military operation by employees assigned to remotely located activities, that is, outside the areas of eligibility, is not justification for award of the AFCSM. Such performance or contribution, if merited, may be acknowledged by other appropriate recognition.


Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Armed Forces Honor Medal 1C
A decoration of South Vietnam created in 1953. Awarded to members of the United States armed forces having contributed to the formation and organization of the Vietnamese military and who actively participated in cadre training of Vietnamese units. The 1st Class version (1C) is awarded to officers and the 2nd Class version (2C) to NCOs and enlisted.


Army Commendation Medal
A mid-level award presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Awarded by local commanders, allowing for a broad interpretation of the criteria for which the medal may be awarded. For actions where such performance was in direct contact with an enemy force, the Valor device ("V" device) is authorized as an attachment to the decoration. The Army Commendation Medal is typically awarded to junior officers and enlisted personnel as an end-of-tour award. Additional awards are denoted by oak leaf clusters.Attachments: Bronze Oak Leaf Device, Silver Oak Leaf Device, Bronze Letter "V" Device

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If you've made it to the bottom of this page I feel complimented because it means that something on this lens has peaked your interest, and that's why I made it. So now I'll tell you a little about myself.

As I said in my profile, I enjoy collecting and since I retired I've found that building these lenses is a great way to stay busy; And, I hope that I'm helping some of you out by gathering information on your favorite subject and putting it all in one place so you don't have to spend hours searching for it.

I spend part of my time designing t-shirts and buttons to help supplement my social security because, as many of you know, it's pretty difficult to make it on social security. My on-line t-shirt shop is called Dene's Place after my wife.

My "retirement" came a few years earlier than I would have liked because they found that I have an inoperatable tumor about the size of a softball in my right pelvic area. They still don't know what to do about it because for now it has quit growing. One of those "leave it alone and see what happens" type things.

Anyway, if you've made it this far, I'd appreciate it if you would check out Dene's Place to see if there's anything that you might like for yourself or as a gift. It helps me pay the bills!

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Operation Iraqi Freedom Challenge Coin

3/4-Inch Operation Iraqi Freedom coin. Comes in a protective case. Photo displays both the front and reverse sides of the coin.



Operation Iraqi Freedom Challenge Coin
[980] $11.99



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