Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal Explained

Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal
Presenter:	the Department of Homeland Security^[1]
Type:	Service medal
Awarded For:	Twenty-one days of non-consecutive duty afloat or ashore north of the Arctic Circle
Status:	current
Established:	20 May 1976
Higher:	Antarctica Service Medal
Lower:	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal was established on 20 May 1976 by Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Owen W. Siler. The medal is awarded to any member of the United States Coast Guard who performs twenty-one days of non-consecutive duty afloat or ashore north of the Arctic Circle. Air crews flying in and out of areas north of the Arctic Circle may also be awarded the medal for 21 days of non-consecutive service. The medal depicts a polar bear under the North Star, while the reverse side carries the Coast Guard Shield.^[2]

Eligibility requirements

The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal may be awarded to any person who meets the qualifications related to service in defined geographic areas or at specific duty stations. Only one medal may be awarded per deployment or year in the case of qualifying air crews. Qualifying service is as follows:^[3]

• Members of the Coast Guard who, during summer operations (defined as 1 May to 31 October), who serve in any Coast Guard mission north of the Arctic Circle (66°33'N) for 21 non-consecutive days under competent orders.
• Member of the Coast Guard who, during winter operations (defined as 1 November to 30 April), serve or have served aboard a Coast Guard vessel operating in polar waters north of latitude 60 degrees North, specifically in the Bering Sea, Davis Strait, or Denmark Strait for 21 non-consecutive days under competent orders.
• Members of the Coast Guard who serve on the remote LORAN Stations at Cape Atholl, Greenland; Cape Christian, Baffin Island, Canada; Port Clarence, Alaska; Barrow, Alaska; Bø, Norway; Jan Mayen Island, Norway.
• Members of the Coast Guard who participate in flights as a member of the crew of an aircraft flying to or from stations listed above, or any shore locations north of the Arctic Circle in support of Coast Guard missions. The minimum time requirement is 21 non-consecutive days under competent orders, no more than one day of service is credited for flights in and out during any 24-hour period.

Civilians may be recommended for the award of the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal for their service with the Coast Guard. Recommendations for civilians must be sent directly to the Commandant for an award decision.

See also

• Awards and decorations of the United States military
• Navy Arctic Service Ribbon
• Antarctica Service Medal

Notes and References

1. Web site: Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual. PDF. Media.defense.gov. 4 October 2018.
2. Web site: Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal. blog.medalsofamerica.com. 5 December 2012.
3. Web site: Archived copy . www.uscg.mil . 15 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080916083532/http://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim/1000-1999/CIM_1650_25D.pdf . 16 September 2008 . dead.