Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal — Military Decorations

Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal Medal and Ribbon Design Images

The Marine Corps Expeditionary 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 Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal

The medal is a bronze circle with a stylized image of a marine charging from right to left. The word Expeditions is emblazed on the upper part of the circle.

What is the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal Decoration?

The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal was created in March of 1921 and is issued to Marines who have "Land[ed] on foreign territory, engage in operations against armed opposition, or who operate under the circumstances deemed to merit special recognition and for which no campaign medal has been awarded." This is specifically unique and equal to the Naval Expeditionary Medal that is given to naval personnel who have accomplished the same thing. Each subsequent award is denoted by a numeral representing how many have been issued so far. This medal is protected under the Stolen Valor Act and can be prosecuted under Federal and State laws.

The United States military sorts decorations into categories called Classes and Types. The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal medal is classified as a Service Award of the type Expeditionary Medal.

How Do You Earn the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal?

This medal is awarded for marines who "Land on foreign territory, engage in operations against armed opposition, or who operate under circumstances deemed to merit special recognition and for which no campaign medal has been awarded".

Displaying the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal

The Order of Precedence of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal is 75, 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 Marine Corps Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (Marine),Fleet Marine Force Ribbon (Navy) and the China Service Medal (Navy & Coast Guard).

Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal Associated Branches

Marine Corps

Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal Associated Branches

Marine Corps

Marine Corps Expeditionary 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 apart of the stolen valor


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