Indian Campaign Medal

BACK DEVICE(s) none

Description:

1. Authorized by War Department General Orders 12 in 1907.
2. The Indian Campaign Medal was established by War Department General Orders 12 in 1907. It was created at the same time as the Civil War Campaign Medal.
3. The initial ribbon was all red; however, two black stripes were added in December 1917 because of the similarity to a ribbon used by the French for the French Legion of Honor.

Background:

1. The Medal
   1. OBVERSE
      On a Bronze medal, 1 1/4 inches in diameter, a mounted Indian facing sinister, wearing a war bonnet, and carrying a spear in his right hand. Above the horseman are the words “INDIAN WARS” and below, on either side of a buffalo head, a conventional arrangement of arrowheads, completing a circle.
   2. REVERSE
      The reverse is a spread eagle on a trophy consisting of a cannon, six rifles and four standards, an Indian shield, quiver of arrows and three spears, a Cuban machete and a Sulu kris.
      Below the trophy are the words “FOR SERVICE”. The whole is surrounded by a circle composed of the words “UNITED STATES ARMY” in the upper half and thirteen stars in the lower half.
   3. RIBBON
      The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/4 inch Old Glory Red 67156; 3/16 in Black 67138; 1/2 inch Old Glory Red; 3/16 inch Black; and 1/4 inch Old Glory Red.
2. Personnel qualified for award of the Indian Campaign Medal under one of the folollowing conditions:
   1. Service in Southern Oregon, Idaho, northern California and Nevada between 1865 and 1868.
   2. Campaigns against the Comanches and confederated tribes of Kansas, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and the Indian Territory between 1867 and 1875.
   3. Modoc War in 1872 and 1873.
   4. Apaches in Arizona in 1873.
   5. Northern Cheyennes and Sioux in 1876 and 1877.
   6. Nez Perce War in 1877.
   7. Bannoc War in 1878.
   8. Northern Cheyenne in 1878 and 1879.
   9. Sheep-Eaters, Piutes, and Bannocks in June-October 1879, Utes in Colorado and Utah September 1879 to November 1880.
   10. Apaches in Arizona and New Mexico in 1885 and 1886, Sioux in South Dakota, November 1890 to January 1891.
   11. Any action against hostile Indians between 1865 and 1891 in which United States troops were killed or wounded.
3. Information from
   The Call of Duty : Military Awards and Decorations of the United States of America by John E. Strandberg
   Medal, Indian Campaign, Army MIL-DTL-3943/192 30 June 1997
   Medal, Indian Campaign, Army MIL-DTL-3943/192D 28 April 2021
   Ribbon, Indian Campaign Medal, U.S. Army; Indian War Medal, U.S. Marine Corps MIL-DTL-11589/75E 15 September 1995
   Ribbon, Indian Campaign Medal, U.S. Army; Indian War Medal, U.S. Marine Corps MIL-DTL-11589/75H 20 September 2021

1. Service in Southern Oregon, Idaho, northern California and Nevada between 1865 and 1868.
2. Campaigns against the Comanches and confederated tribes of Kansas, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and the Indian Territory between 1867 and 1875.
3. Modoc War in 1872 and 1873.
4. Apaches in Arizona in 1873.
5. Northern Cheyenes and Sioux in 1876 and 1877.
6. Nez Perce War in 1877.
7. Bannoc War in 1878.
8. Northern Cheyen in 1878 and 1879.
9. Sheep-Eaters Piutes, and Bannocks in June-October 1879, Utes in Colorado and Utah September 1879 to November 1880.
10. Apaches in Arizona and New Mexico in 1885 and 1886, Siouz in SOuth Dakota, November 1890 to January 1891.
11. Any action against hostile indians between 1865 and 1891 in which the United States troops were killed or wounded.