1. Description: A bronze medal, 1 1/4 inches in diameter with a demi-torch
(as on the Statue of Liberty) encircled at the top by the inscription "ARMED FORCES SERVICE MEDAL" on the obverse side. On
the reverse side is an eagle (as on the seal of the Department of Defense) between a wreath of laurel in base and the inscription
"IN PURSUIT OF DEMOCRACY" at the top.
2. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and
consists of the following stripes: 1/16 inch goldenlight 67107; 1/8 inch jungle green 67191; 1/8 inch green 67129; 1/8 inch
mosstone 67127; 1/8 inch goldenlight; center ¼ inch bluebird 67117; 1/8 inch goldenlight; 1/8 inch mosstone; 1/8 inch green;
1/8 inch jungle green; and 1/16 inch goldenlight.
3. Criteria: The medal will be awarded to personnel
assigned to operations in an area designated by the Department of Defense (DOD) for award of the medal.
4. Components: The following are authorized components
and related items:
a. Medal (regular size): MIL-DTL-3943/231. NSN 8455-01-426-5479 for
set which includes a regular size medal and ribbon bar.
b. Medal (miniature size): MIL-DTL-3943/231. Available commercially.
c. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/13. Available commercially.
5. Background: a. On 2 March 1995, the Office of
the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management Policy) (OASD-RMP) requested that The Institute of Heraldry prepare a
medal and ribbon design for the proposed Armed Forces Service Medal. This medal was to be awarded to members of the Armed
Forces who participated as members of units involved in military operations of significant numbers with no foreign armed opposition
or the threat of imminent hostile action. This medal is intended to meet a void in the criteria between the Armed Forces Expeditionary
Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
b. Proposed design was forwarded by OASD-FMP to the Services and the
Joint Staff. Concurrence in the establishment of the medal from the Services and the Joint Staff was received and the proposal
was forwarded to the Office of Budget and Management (OMB) for issuance of an Executive Order. The medal was authorized by
Executive Order 12985, dated 11 January 1996.
c. Eligibility requirements include:
(1) Service as a member of a unit participating
for one or more days in the operation with the designated area of eligibility, or- -
(2) Be engaged in direct support for 30 consecutive
days in the area of eligibility (or for the full period when an operation is less than 30 days duration) or for 60 nonconsecutive
days provided this support involves entering the area of eligibility, or- -
(3) Participate as a regularly assigned crewmember
of an aircraft flying into, out of, within, or over the area of eligibility in support of the operation.
d. The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), has approved award of
the Armed Forces Service Medal to US Military personnel as follows: (1) In operations relating to the former Republic of Yugoslavia
from 1 June 1992 to a future date. This area includes military forces deployed in operations Provide Promise, Joint Endeavor,
Able Sentry, Deny Flight, Maritime Monitor, Sharp Guard and Joint Guard within the total land and air space of the former
Republic of Yugoslavia, the country of Italy (including Sicily); and the waters and air space above that portion of the Adriatic
Sea that lies north of forty degrees North latitude; (2) In operations: United Nations Missions in Haiti (UNMIH); US Forces
Haiti (USFORHAITI) and US Support Group-Haiti (USSPTGP-Haiti) from 1 April 1995 to a date to be determined. This area includes
the total land area, sea and air space defined by the following coordinates: 16-30N/71-40W; 18-00N/71-45W; along the Haitian/Dominican
Republic Border to 20-00N/71-44W; 21-00N/71W; 21-25N/73-00W; 21-25N/74-00W; 20-00N/74-00W; 19-45N/75-00W; 19-00N/76-00W; 16-30N/76-00W;
to 16-30N/71-40W.
