Armed Forces Service Medal

BACK DEVICE(s)

Description:

1. 1. Authorized by E.O. 12985
   2. May be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after June 1, 1992: 
      • Participate, or have participated, as members of United States military units, in a United States military operation that is deemed to be a significant activity; and
      • Encounter no foreign armed opposition or imminent threat of hostile action.
   3. May be authorized for significant United States military which no other United States campaign or service medal is appropriate, such as: activities for
      • Peacekeeping operations.
      • Prolonged humanitarian operations.
   4. May be awarded for United States military operations in direct support of the United Nations (UN) or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and for operations of assistance to friendly foreign nations.
   5. No more than one medal shall be awarded to any one Service member. Second and subsequent awards will be denoted by 3/16-inch bronze service stars. A 3/16-inch silver star will be worn instead of 5 bronze stars.

Background:

1. The medal is Bronze, 11⁄4 inches in diameter with a demitorch (as on the Statue of Liberty) encircled at the top by the inscription ‘‘ARMED FORCES SERVICE MEDAL’’ on the obverse side.
2. On the reverse side is an eagle (as on the seal of the DOD) between a wreath of laurel in base and the inscription ‘‘IN PURSUIT OF DEMOCRACY’’ at the top.
3. The ribbon is 13⁄8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1⁄16 inch Goldenlight 67107; 1⁄8 inch Jungle Green 67191; 1⁄8 inch Green 67129; 1⁄8 inch Mosstone 67127; 1⁄8 inch Goldenlight; Center 1⁄4 inch Bluebird 67117; 1⁄8 inch
   Goldenlight; 1⁄8 inch Mosstone; 1⁄8 inch Green; 1⁄8 inch Jungle Green; and 1⁄16 inch Goldenlight.

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 Armed Forces Service Medal 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)