UNITED STATES, ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, w/RIBBON, BOXED, NEW, UNUSED The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy. The medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participated in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, or U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations. The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is issued as a bronze medal, 1 1?4 inches in diameter. The obverse side of the medal consists of an eagle, with wings addorsed and inverted (representing the strength of the United States Armed Forces), standing on a sword loosened in its scabbard, and super- imposed on a radiant compass rose of eight points, (representing the readiness to serve wherever needed) all within the circumscription "ARMED FORCES" above and "EXPEDITIONARY SERVICE" below with a sprig of laurel on each side. On the reverse side of the medal is the shield from the United States Coat of Arms above two laurel branches separated by a bullet, all within the circumscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". The ribbon is 1 3?8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3?32 inch Green, 3?32 inch Golden Yellow, 3?32 inch Spicebrown, 3?32 inch Black, 7?32 inch Bluebird, 1?16 inch Ultramarine Blue, 1?16 inch White, 1?16 inch Scarlet, 7?32 inch Bluebird, 3?32 inch Black, 3?32 inch Spicebrown, 3?32 inch Golden Yellow and 3?32 inch Green. Ribbon devices A bronze service star is authorized for participation in subsequent U.S. military operations authorized for award of the AFEM (only one award is authorized for each designated U.S. military operation). A silver service star is worn in lieu of five bronze service stars. The Arrowhead device is authorized for United States Army and United States Air Force personnel who are awarded the medal through participation in an airborne or amphibious assault. The Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia is authorized for U.S. Navy service members assigned to Marine Corps units that participate in combat during the assignment.