Establishing Authority
This award is authorized by the secretary general of NATO for specific NATO operations relating to Kosovo. In accordance with Executive Order 11446, Jan. 16, 1969, the Secretary of Defense has approved acceptance and wear by U.S. service members who meet criteria specified by the Secretary General of NATO effective Oct. 13, 1998 - date to be determined.
Criteria
The following are Kosovo Operations:
- Operations Allied Force (March 24, 1999 - June 10, 1999);
- Joint Guardian (June 11, 1999 - DTBD);
- Allied Harbour (April 4, 1999 - Sept. 1, 1999);
- Sustain Hope/Shining Hope (April 4, 1999 - July 10, 1999);
- Noble Anvil (March 24, 1999 - July 20, 1999);
The following are Kosovo Task Force(s):
- Hawk (April 5, 1999 - June 24, 1999),
- Saber (March 31, 1999 - July 8, 1999),
- Falcon (June 11, 1999 - DTBD, coincides with Joint Guardian), or
- Hunter (April 1, 1999 - Nov. 1, 1999).
Designer
The design of the medal was specified by the NATO.
Order of Precedence
The NATO Medal has the same precedence as the UN Medal, but ranks immediately below it when the wearer is entitled to both medals.
Devices
Section II4 of the General Regulations For the NATO Medal states that, "A clasp shall denote the specific theatre, or Area of Operations, or Operation, in respect of which the Medal is being Awarded." However, the rules of acceptance of the medal by American personnel provide that, "the wearing of ribbon clasps with the NATO medal or service ribbon is not authorized for U.S. Service members. U.S. Service members may wear only the basic medal or service ribbon." For United States military personnel, subsequent awards of the NATO Medal are denoted by bronze stars affixed to the ribbon of the medal and to the ribbon bar.
Description and Symbolism
Obverse
In the center of a bronze medallion, 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.
Reverse
In a circular band following the contour of the medal, the words NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION in the upper quadrant, and ORGANISATION DU TRAITE DE L'ATLANTIQUE NORD in the lower two-thirds. In the center of the medallion is a sprig of olive between the inscription IN SERVICE OF PEACE AND FREEDOM and SERVICE DE LA PAIX ET DE LA LIBERTE below.