Navy Arctic Service Medal

BACK DEVICE(s)

Description:

1. Authorized by the Secretary, U.S. Navy, 24 Mar 2024.
2. Effective Date: On or after 1 January 1982.
3. Awarding Authority. Commanding Officers (COs) of ships or units operating above the Arctic Circle who have the authority to award the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal may award the Navy Arctic Service Medal (NASM) and Navy Arctic Service Ribbon (NASR) to personnel assigned to their commands who meet the eligibility criteria, and shall ensure appropriate service record entries are made.

Background:

1. Criteria and Eligibility. Awarded as an extension of the NASR to officers and enlisted personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps, or civilians (including resident aliens of the U. S.) who are assigned to:
   1. A unit that conducted an ice-covered strait transit (e.g., Bering Strait, Barrow Strait).
   2. A unit that conducted a transit of the North Pole (defined by operating north of latitude 82N).
   3. A submarine that conducted a vertical surfacing through ice, including through an arctic polynya, or ice picked against the ice canopy.
   4. A submarine that conducted at least seven days of classified military operations while under the marginal ice zone or pack ice.
   5. An ice camp or operations center established on an ice floe, as determined by the unit's Commanding Officer.
2. Award Elements. The NASM consists of a medal with a suspension ribbon of identical design to the NASR. Initial award will be represented by a single North Star/Compass Rose device on the suspension or service ribbon. No citation or certificate will be issued.
3. Subsequent Awards. Indicated by an additional North Star/Compass Rose device on the suspension or service ribbon. A maximum of four North Star/Compass Rose devices may be worn.
4. Authorized Devices. The North Star/Compass Rose.

Description

1. Obverse
   A silver metal disc 1-1/4 inches in diameter, consisting of a stylized representation of the Arctic Circle bearing at center the North Star and at top a stacked and arching dove-tailed scroll bearing the inscriptions “ARCTIC” on the upper portion and “SERVICE” on the lower portion.
2. Reverse
   On the reverse above the inscription “FOR SERVICE INVOLVING SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONS IN HIGH LATITUDE REGIONS ABOVE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE,” a stylized representation of three icebergs in the Arctic Sea all in front of a rayed night sky bearing a representation of the Big Dipper constellation.
3. Ribbon
   A ribbon 1-3/8 inches in width consisting of the following stripes from left to right: 5/16 inch Oriental Blue, 1/16 inch Ostende Blue, 1/16 Forget-me-not Blue, 1/8 inch White, 1/32 inch Forget-me-not Blue, 1/32 inch Ostende Blue, 1/32 inch Oriental Blue, 1/16 inch Navy Blue at center, 1/32 inch Oriental Blue, 1/32 inch Ostende Blue, 1/32 inch Forget-me-not Blue, 1/8 inch White, 1/16 inch Forget-me-not Blue, 1/16 inch Ostende Blue, 5/16 inch Oriental Blue.
4. Symbolism
   Medal.  Silver highlights the icy, cold conditions of polar regions.  The Arctic Circle indicates the area of military operations for personnel awarded the medal.  The North Star, Polaris, is historically used by military forces for precise orientation and navigation.  On the reverse the radiating lines behind the icebergs suggest the Northern Lights of the Navy arctic area of operation.  The Big Dipper honors the origins of naval navigation.  The dark blue of the ribbon is for the Navy and the remaining blues represent the waters of the Arctic Sea.  The ribbon’s white portions indicate snow and ice.