National Defense Service Medal, (Korean War), 27 June 1950 - 27 July 1954, (Vietnam War) 1 January 1961 - 14 August 1974, (Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM) 2 August 1990 - 30 November 1995, and currently (Global War on Terrorism )11 September 2001 to (DTBD). Air Force Awards and Decorations (enhance color), U.S. Air Force graphic, AFNEWS/PAND. The JPG image is a stylized version whereas the EPS version is a two-dimensional line art illustration.
Background
This medal was authorized by Executive Order 10448, April 22, 1953, and amended by Executive Order 11256, Jan. 11, 1966.
Criteria It is awarded for honorable active military service as a member of the armed forces of the United States including the Coast Guard, between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954, (Korean War), between Jan. 1, 1961 and Aug. 14, 1974, (Vietnam War), between Aug. 2, 1990 to Nov. 30, 1995 (operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm), and currently from Sept. 11, 2001 to a date to be determined (terrorism attacks on the United States). Service members who earned the medal during the first qualifying period, and who again became entitled to the medal, wear a bronze star on the ribbon to denote the second award of the medal.
Medal Description The medal was designed by the Army of Heraldic Section. The obverse shows the American bald eagle perched on a sword and palm. Above this, in a semicircle, is the inscription "National Defense." The reverse shows a shield, as it appears in the Great Seal of the United States; it is half encircled below with an oak leaf to the left and laurel spray to the right knotted in the center.
Ribbon Description
The ribbon has a wide yellow stripe in the center, flanked by four narrow stripes of red, white, blue, and white and wide red stripes.
