Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal — Military Decorations

Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal Medal and Ribbon Design Images

The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal comes with a unique service ribbon, which is worn on the recipient's uniform in situations where the full medal is not worn. If you have earned this decoration, you can wear the service ribbon on your ribbon rack.
Design of the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal

The Coast Guard Arctic medal is a gold circular medal with a polar bear on it. Above the polar bear is an 8-point star and the words Arctic Service.

What is the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal Decoration?

The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal was created in 1976 as a medal to be awarded to the United States Coast Guard personnel who perform twenty-one days or more of continuous duty afloat or ashore in the Arctic Circle. Air Crews are also available for the medal when they meet 21 days of non-consecutive service in the region.

The United States military sorts decorations into categories called Classes and Types. The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal medal is classified as a Service Award of the type Special Service Medal.

How Do You Earn the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal?

Twenty one days of consecutive duty afloat or ashore north of the Arctic Circle

Displaying the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal

The Order of Precedence of the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal is 85, and this precedence is used when placing the associated service ribbon on your uniform ribbon rack. You can see a full list of decorations in the order of precedence on the Decorations homepage.

This ribbon is worn between the Antarctica Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal Associated Branches

Coast Guard

Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal Associated Branches

Coast Guard

Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal and the Stolen Valor Act

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 is a federal law that makes it illegal for any person to falsely claim to be the recipient of certain military awards, "with the intention of obtaining money, property, or other tangible benefit by convincing another that he or she received the award".This decoration is covered by the Stolen Valor act. Fraudulently claiming to have received a Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal can result in punishment including a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both


Back to top