Antarctica Service Medal

BACK DEVICE(s)

Description:

1. Authorized by DoD Instruction 1348.9
2. Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, U.S. citizen, or resident alien of the United States who, after January 1, 1946, to a date to be announced, served on the Antarctic continent, or in support of U.S. operations there.
3. Personnel who remain on the Antarctic continent during the winter months shall be eligible to wear the “Wintered Over” clasp and disk. That clasp shall be worn on the suspension ribbon of the medal, and the disk shall be worn on the bar ribbon. In each instance those devices shall be awarded in
   • bronze for the first winter
   • gold for the second winter, and
   • silver for three or more winters.
4. The bronze, gold, or silver clasp with the words “Wintered Over” is worn on the suspension ribbon of the large medal only. Only one clasp may be worn on the suspension ribbon of the medal.
5. The 5/16-inch bronze, gold, or silver disk with an
   outline of the Antarctic continent is worn on the service ribbon or the suspension ribbon of the miniature medal. The disk is worn with peninsula pointing up. Only one disk may be worn.
6. COMDTINST M1650.25E dtd 15 August 2016 indicates a 3/16-inch bronze star is worn on unit (except Coast Guard unit awards), campaign and service awards to denote engagements, campaigns or subsequent awards. A 3/16-inch silver star is worn in lieu of five bronze stars (represents the sixth award, engagement or campaign) for Coast Guard personnel.

Background:

1. Authorized by Congress on July 7, 1960 for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, citizens or resident aliens of the United States who, after January 1, 1946, served on the Antarctic continent or in support of US operations there. A clasp and disk were created, and worn as a frame on the ribbon, to indicate that the individual had remained and "Wintered Over" during the harsh Antarctic winter months.
2. The first recipients of this award were members of the U.S Navy operation "High Jump" under the late Admiral R.E. Byrd in 1946 and 1947. Deserving civilians including scientists and polar experts can also be awarded this medal.
3. The ribbon has a white center stripe flanked by progressively darker shades of blue, with black at the edges.