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An international decoration is a military award which is not bestowed by a particular country, but rather by an international organization such as the United Nations or NATO. Such awards are normally issued as service medals, for participation in various international military operations, and not for specific acts of heroism or bravery. The first medal from an international organization accepted for wear by the United States Military was the United Nations Korea Medal in 1951. Subsequent acceptance of other United Nations Medals did not come until 1964 with Executive Order 11139. Acceptance of the medals of other international multilateral organizations finally came with Executive Order 11446 in 1969. Acceptance of these international decorations must be approved by not only the Secretary of Defense, but also the Secretary of State.

The following is a list of the most commonly recognized international military decorations that has been or is currently awarded to members of the United States military. Such awards are always worn after all United States decorations, but before all Foreign decorations.

United Nations

The Assistant Secretary of Defense approved a change to the policy of the wear of United Nations Medals. Effective 13 October 1995, any US military personnel who is awarded a United Nations Medal may wear the ribbon of the first UN medal for which they qualify. Subsequent awards of the United Nations Medal for service in a different mission is noted by adding a bronze service star to the current ribbon. No more than one UN medal or ribbon may be worn at a time. Operations in which United States military personnel were awarded the United Nations Medal and authorized by the Department of Defense to accept and wear the medal are as follows:

United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in Palestinian territories/United Nations Observation Group in Lebanon

United Nations Observer Group in India and Pakistan

United Nations Korea Medal

United Nations Temporary Executive Authority/UN Security Force in West New Guinea

United Nations Iraq–Kuwait Observation Mission

United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara

United Nations Advance Mission in Cambodia

United Nations Protection Force in Yugoslavia

United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia

United Nations Operation in Somalia II

United Nations Operation in Mozambique

United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia

United Nations Mission in Haiti/United Nations Support Mission in Haiti

United Nations Preventive Deployment Force

United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium

United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala

United Nations Special Service Medal/United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq

United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

United Nations Mission in East Timor/United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor/United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor

United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo/United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea

United Nations Mission in Liberia

United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti

United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur

United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad

United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic

United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

United States military personnel may accept and wear NATO medals authorized by the Secretary General of NATO and offered to the US Representative to NATO to recognize US service members who meet the eligibility criteria specified by NATO, so long as acceptance is approved by both the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State. NATO Medals may be awarded with a clasp that designates the operation for which the medal is awarded. United States military personnel may accept, but not wear the clasp. To date the following medals are the only NATO Medals authorized for acceptance and wear by US military personnel:

NATO Meritorious Service Medal

Yugoslavia service medal

Kosovo service

NATO Article 5 medal for Operation Eagle Assist

NATO Article 5 medal for Operation Active Endeavour

Non-article 5 medal for ISAF

NATO Non-Article 5 medal for the Balkans

Non-Article 5 medal for NATO Training Mission – Iraq

Non-Article 5 medal for Africa Operations Allied Provider, Allied Protector, and Ocean Shield

NATO Non-Article 5 medal for Operation Unified Protector

NATO Non-Article 5 medal for Operation Resolute Support

Multinational Force and Observers

Multinational Force and Observers Medal

Inter-American Defense Board

Inter-American Defense Board Medal

SICOFAA

The System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces awards the following decorations:

SICOFAA Legion of Merit Gentleman

SICOFAA Legion of Merit Officer

SICOFAA Legion of Merit Grand Cross

CSDP

Common Security and Defence Policy

CSDP ALTHEA Operations medal ribbon bar

CSDP ALTHEA Staff medal ribbon bar

CSDP EUTM MALI Medal for Extraordinary Meritorious Service ribbon bar

Notes

1. "United Nations Medals". The Institute of Heraldry. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
2. "DoD Approved U.N. Mission And Actions for Acceptance and Wear of the U.N. Medal" (PDF). Office of the Under Secretary of For Personnel and Readiness. September 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
3. AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 36-2803 THE AIR FORCE MILITARY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS PROGRAM (PDF). United States Air Force. 18 December 2013. p. 192. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
4. "NATO Meritorious Service Medal". Air Force Personnel Center. 2003-09-09. Archived from the original on 2008-01-06.
5. Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness. "DoD Approved NATO Medals for Acceptance and Wear" (PDF). Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness. Department of Defense. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
6. "Inter-American Defense Board Medal" (PDF). IADB Regulations. 2003-09-11.

See also

Awards and decorations of the United States military

• Military awards and decorations of the United States