Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal - 2004
Name of Award Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Year Awarded 2004
Last Updated: Nov 20, 2014
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
Details Behind Award
Awarded for participation in the GWOT overseas.
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM) is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289.[1] 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.
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.[6] 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.[7]
On October 31, 2014 the Pentagon officials announced that the medal would be awarded retroactive to June 15, when President Barack Obama ordered U.S. forces to Iraq in response to offensives by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Iraq. In addition to Iraq, service members deployed to Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates and those serving in the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea east of the 25th meridian and in the Persian Gulf. Service members who already have received the award for prior service do not receive another award or a battle star, officials said. About 8,400 service members are in the qualifying Operation Inherent Resolve area as of October 31, 2014.[8]
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.[
