Multinational Force and Observers Medal
Encyclopedia
The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is an international military decoration
which was first created on March 24, 1982. The medal was established under the authority of the Director-General of the Multinational Force and Observers
(MFO) which were established to monitor a neutral ceasefire zone, between Egypt
and Israel
, as the result of the Yom Kippur War
of 1973.
began issuing the Multinational Force and Observers Medal on July 28, 1982. The medal was made retroactive to August 1981 and was presented to any United States service member who served at least ninety cumulative days as a member of the Multinational Force and Observers. On March 15, 1985, the time period was increased to a minimum of 170 days. The time frame could be waived if the award was presented posthumously, a service member was medically evacuated from the region, or if the Director-General of the Multinational Force and Observers presented the award for a specific act or special case.
The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is authorized for wear as a United States military award
under the category of "Non-U.S. service award" and is worn after all U.S. decorations and before foreign awards of individual countries. Multiple presentations are denoted by award numerals
. Similar international military decorations include the NATO Service Medals
and the United Nations Service Medals
.
(CF). Its order of precedence within the International Missions Medals category is based on date of award (1982-present) and may be worn directly after the International Commission for Control and Supervision Medal (1973) and before the European Community Monitor Mission Medal for Yugoslavia (1991).
(NZDF) within the Foreign Medals category, the last category in the New Zealand order of precedence. The MFO Medal is worn directly after the Kuwait Liberation Medal
and the Korean War Service Medal
.
. The medal is worn after Australian medals, with other foreign awards, in the order of date of receipt.
International decoration
An international decoration is a military award which is not bestowed by a particular country, but rather by an international organization such as the United Nations or NATO...
which was first created on March 24, 1982. The medal was established under the authority of the Director-General of the Multinational Force and Observers
Multinational Force and Observers
The Multinational Force and Observers is an international peacekeeping force overseeing the terms of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.-Background:...
(MFO) which were established to monitor a neutral ceasefire zone, between Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, as the result of the Yom Kippur War
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
of 1973.
Clasps and Bars
Silver numerals, beginning with numeral '2', worn on the medal ribbon are awarded for additional periods of service with the same mission.U.S. armed forces
The United States militaryUnited States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
began issuing the Multinational Force and Observers Medal on July 28, 1982. The medal was made retroactive to August 1981 and was presented to any United States service member who served at least ninety cumulative days as a member of the Multinational Force and Observers. On March 15, 1985, the time period was increased to a minimum of 170 days. The time frame could be waived if the award was presented posthumously, a service member was medically evacuated from the region, or if the Director-General of the Multinational Force and Observers presented the award for a specific act or special case.
The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is authorized for wear as a United States military award
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
under the category of "Non-U.S. service award" and is worn after all U.S. decorations and before foreign awards of individual countries. Multiple presentations are denoted by award numerals
Award numerals
Award numerals are decorations of the United States military which are attachments to certain ribbons and awards. Award numerals denote repeated decorations of the same award and appear as arabic numerals on a medal or ribbon. Award numerals are very similar to the Strike/Flight numerals of the...
. Similar international military decorations include the NATO Service Medals
NATO Medal
The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . It is manufactured by Eekelers - Centini, International, of Hemiksem, Belgium...
and the United Nations Service Medals
United Nations Medal
The term United Nations Medal refers to one of several international decorations which are issued by the United Nations to the various militaries of the world for participation in joint international military and police operations such as peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and disaster relief...
.
Canadian forces
The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is considered an authorized medal within the International Mission Medals category (located after NATO Awards and before Commemorative Awards) for the Canadian ForcesCanadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
(CF). Its order of precedence within the International Missions Medals category is based on date of award (1982-present) and may be worn directly after the International Commission for Control and Supervision Medal (1973) and before the European Community Monitor Mission Medal for Yugoslavia (1991).
New Zealand defence forces
The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is considered an authorized medal for the New Zealand Defence ForceNew Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...
(NZDF) within the Foreign Medals category, the last category in the New Zealand order of precedence. The MFO Medal is worn directly after the Kuwait Liberation Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal
The Kuwait Liberation Medal is a military service medal of several countries. The medal is issued in different versions for each country, those being:*Kuwait Liberation Medal *Kuwait Liberation Medal *Kuwait Liberation Medal...
and the Korean War Service Medal
Korean War Service Medal
The Korean War Service Medal is a decoration of South Korea which was first authorized in December 1950...
.
Australian forces
The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is authorized to be worn as a foreign medal for the Australian Defence ForceAustralian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
. The medal is worn after Australian medals, with other foreign awards, in the order of date of receipt.