§ 578.30 - Iraq Campaign Medal.

(a) The Iraq Campaign Medal is authorized by Public Law 108-234, May 28, 2004 and Executive Order 13363, November 29, 2004. It is authorized for award to individuals who have served in direct support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. The area of eligibility encompasses all land area of the country of Iraq, and the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles, and all air spaces above the land area of Iraq and above the contiguous water area out to 12 nautical miles. The period of eligibility is on or after March 19, 2003 to a future date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense or the cessation of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

(b) Criteria. Service members qualified for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal by reasons of service between March 19, 2003 and February 28, 2005, in an area for which the Iraq Campaign Medal was subsequently authorized, shall remain qualified for that medal. Upon application, any such service member may be awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for such service. No service member shall be entitled to both medals for the same act, achievement or period of service.

(c) General. Service members must have been assigned, attached, or mobilized to units operating in the area of eligibility for 30 consecutive days or for 60 non-consecutive days or meet one of the following criteria:

(1) Be engaged in combat during an armed engagement, regardless of the time in the area of eligibility.

(2) While participating in an operation or on official duties, is wounded or injured and requires medical evacuation from the area of eligibility.

(3) While participating as a regularly assigned air crewmember flying sorties into, out of, within or over the area of eligibility in direct support of the military operations; each day of operations counts as one day of eligibility.

(d) Rules. The following rules apply to award of the Iraq Campaign Medal:

(1) The Iraq Campaign Medal may be awarded posthumously.

(2) Only one award of this medal may be authorized for any individual.

(3) Under no condition shall personnel receive the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for the same action, time period or service.

(e) Precedence. The Iraq Campaign Medal shall be positioned below the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and above the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

(f) Description. On a bronze metal 1/38 inches (3.49 cm) in diameter the relief of Iraq, surmounted by two lines throughout, surmounting a palm wreath. Above is the inscription “IRAQ CAMPAIGN.” On the reverse, the Statue of Freedom surmounting a sunburst, encircled by two scimitars points down crossed at tip of blades, all above the inscription “FOR SERVICE IN IRAQ.” The ribbon is 13/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 5/32 inch Scarlet 67111; 1/16 inch White 67101; 1/32 inch Green 67129; 1/16 inch White 67101; 5/32 inch Black 67138; 7/16 inch Chamois 67142; 5/32 inch Black 67138; 1/16 inch White 67101; 1/32 inch Green 67129; 1/16 inch White 67101; 5/32 inch Scarlet 67111.