NATO Medal - Libya Non Article 5

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Description:

1. In the spring of 2011, a multi-state coalition began a military intervention in Libya in response to events during the Libyan civil war. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 was implemented to create a Libyan no-fly zone and to take all necessary measures to prevent attacks on civilians by the government forces of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The NATO Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR formally began on 23 March 2011 and ended on 31 October 2011.
2. Following the popular uprising against the Gadhafi regime in Benghazi, Libya, in February 2011, the UN Security Council adopted Resolutions 1970 and 1973 in support of the Libyan people, “condemning the gross and systematic violation of human rights ”. The resolutions introduced active measures including a no-fly zone, an arms embargo and the authorisation for member countries, acting as appropriate through regional organisations, to take “all necessary measures” to protect Libyan civilians.
3. Initially, NATO enforced the no-fly zone and then, on 31 March 2011, NATO took over sole command and control of all military operations for Libya. The NATO-led Operation Unified Protector had three distinct components:
   the enforcement of an arms embargo on the high seas of the Mediterranean
   • to prevent the transfer of arms, related material and mercenaries to Libya;
   • the enforcement of a no-fly-zone in order to prevent any aircraft from bombing civilian targets;
   • and air and naval strikes against those military forces involved in attacks or threats to attack Libyan civilians and civilian-populated areas.
   • The UN mandate was carried out to the letter and the operation was terminated on 31 October 2011 after having fulfilled its objectives.
4. Approved NATO operations and activities in service of in operations related to Libya
   • Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR
5. Accepted by the United States Mar 23, 2011
6. The ending date was Oct 31, 2011

Background:

1. Acceptance of the NATO Medal has been approved for U.S. military personnel who serve under NATO command or operational control in direct support of NATO operations in the former Republic of Yugoslavia, or as designated by the Supreme Allied Command, Europe (SACEUR), from July 1, 1992 to a date to be determined.
2. Presentation. The NATO Medal will normally be presented by the Allied Command Europe headquarters exercising operational command or control over U.S. military units or individuals prior to their departure from service with NATO.
3. Medal set. The medal set includes a ribbon clasp denoting the specific operation for which the award was made. U.S. service members are authorized to retain the ribbon clasp presented but may not wear the clasp. Only the basic medal and service ribbon are authorized for wear on the uniform.
4. Subsequent awards. Subsequent awards (if approved by the Secretary of Defense) for service in a different NATO operation, U.S. military personnel will affix a bronze service star to the NATO Medal suspension ribbon and service ribbon.
5. Precedence. The NATO Medal shall have the same precedence as the United Nations Medal, but will rank immediately below the United Nations Medal when the wearer has been awarded both medals.
6. The medal is bronze, 1 3/8 inches in diameter, bearing on the obverse the NATO emblem (a four pointed star emitting a ray from each point superimposed on an annulet) enclosed in base by a wreath of olive.
7. The medal reverse side has a band inscribed "NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION" at top and "ORGANISATION DU TRAITE DE L' ATLANTIQUE NORD" at the bottom.
   In the center is a sprig of olive between the inscription "IN SERVICE OF PEACE AND FREEDOM" above and "AU SERVICE DE LA PAIX ET DE LA LIBERTE" below.

The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness maintains a list of "Approved Military Decorations and Awards" which is a roster of the approved Joint DoD awards and/or operations for which the medal is authorized.
This is the DoD Approved NATO Medals for Acceptance and Wear approved award/operations. as of the date shown in the document. You may want to verify if it has been updated at The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness (linked above)