International military decoration authorized by the US military

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. Such awards are normally issued as service medals, for participation in various international military operations, and not for specific acts of heroism or bravery. The first medal from an international organization accepted for wear by the United States Military was the United Nations Korea Medal in 1951. Subsequent acceptance of other United Nations Medals did not come until 1964 with. Acceptance of the medals of other international multilateral organizations finally came with in 1969. Acceptance of these international decorations must be approved by not only the Secretary of Defense, but also the Secretary of State.

The following is a list of the most commonly recognized international military decorations that has been or is currently awarded to members of the United States military. Such awards are always worn after all United States decorations, but before all Foreign decorations.

United Nations
The Assistant Secretary of Defense approved a change to the policy of the wear of United Nations Medals. Effective 13 October 1995, any US military personnel who is awarded a United Nations Medal may wear the ribbon of the first UN medal for which they qualify. Subsequent awards of the United Nations Medal for service in a different mission is noted by adding a bronze service star to the current ribbon. No more than one UN medal or ribbon may be worn at a time. Operations in which United States military personnel were awarded the United Nations Medal and authorized by the Department of Defense to accept and wear the medal are as follows:


 * United Nations Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in Palestinian territories/United Nations Observation Group in Lebanon
 * UNMOGIP Medal bar.gif United Nations Observer Group in India and Pakistan
 * United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg United Nations Korea Medal
 * UNSF UNTEA Medal bar.svg United Nations Temporary Executive Authority/UN Security Force in West New Guinea
 * ONZ Medal w Służbie Pokoju UNIKOM BAR.svg United Nations Iraq–Kuwait Observation Mission
 * UN Medal MINURSO ribbon bar.svg United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
 * UNAMIC Medal bar.gif United Nations Advance Mission in Cambodia
 * [[Image:UNPROFOR Medal bar.gif|106px]] United Nations Protection Force in Yugoslavia
 * UNTAC Medal bar.gif United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia
 * UNOSOM.png United Nations Operation in Somalia II
 * ONUMOZ Medal bar.gif United Nations Operation in Mozambique
 * UNOMIG Medal bar.gif United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia
 * [[Image:UNMIH.svg|106px]] United Nations Mission in Haiti/United Nations Support Mission in Haiti
 * UNPREDEP Medal bar.gif United Nations Preventive Deployment Force
 * UNTAES.png United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium
 * MINUGUA Medal bar.gif United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala
 * UNSSM.svg United Nations Special Service Medal/United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq
 * Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo Medal ribbon.png United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo
 * UNAMET Medal bar.gif United Nations Mission in East Timor/United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor/United Nations Mission of Support to East Timor
 * MONUC Medal bar.gif United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo/United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
 * Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea Medal ribbon.png United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
 * UNMIL ribbon USA sized.png United Nations Mission in Liberia
 * MINUSTAH Ribbon bar.svg United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti
 * UNAMID.png United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur
 * UN Medal MINURCAT ribbon bar.svg United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad
 * MONUC Medal bar.gif United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
 * MINUSMA Medal ribbon.png United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic
 * UN MINUSCA ribbon.png United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
United States military personnel may accept and wear NATO medals authorized by the Secretary General of NATO and offered to the US Representative to NATO to recognize US service members who meet the eligibility criteria specified by NATO, so long as acceptance is approved by both the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State. NATO Medals may be awarded with a clasp that designates the operation for which the medal is awarded. United States military personnel may accept, but not wear the clasp. To date the following medals are the only NATO Medals authorized for acceptance and wear by US military personnel:


 * [[Image:NATO Meritorious Service Medal bar.svg|106px]] NATO Meritorious Service Medal
 * [[Image:NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar.svg|106px]] Yugoslavia service medal
 * [[Image:NATO medal for Kosovo ribbon.svg|106px]] Kosovo service
 * NATO Medal Eagle Assist ribbon bar.svg NATO Article 5 medal for Operation Eagle Assist
 * NATO Medal ribbon (Article 5).svg NATO Article 5 medal for Operation Active Endeavour
 * NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg Non-article 5 medal for ISAF
 * NATO Medal non-article-5 Balkans ribbon bar.svg NATO Non-Article 5 medal for the Balkans
 * NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg Non-Article 5 medal for NATO Training Mission – Iraq
 * NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg Non-Article 5 medal for Africa Operations Allied Provider, Allied Protector, and Ocean Shield
 * NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg NATO Non-Article 5 medal for Operation Unified Protector
 * NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg NATO Non-Article 5 medal for Operation Resolute Support

Multinational Force and Observers

 * [[Image:MFO Ribbon bar.svg|106px]] Multinational Force and Observers Medal

Inter-American Defense Board

 * [[Image:Inter-american defense board medal ribbon.svg|106px]] Inter-American Defense Board Medal

SICOFAA
The System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces awards the following decorations:


 * [[Image:SICOFAA Legion of Merit Gentleman.png|100px]] SICOFAA Legion of Merit Gentleman
 * [[Image:SICOFAA Legion of Merit.jpg|100px]] SICOFAA Legion of Merit Officer
 * [[Image:SICOFAA Legion of Merit Grand Cross.png|100px]] SICOFAA Legion of Merit Grand Cross

CSDP
Common Security and Defence Policy


 * [[Image:ESDP Medal ALTHEA ribbon bar.png|100px]] CSDP ALTHEA Operations medal ribbon bar
 * [[Image:CSDP support ribbon ALTHEA.svg|100px]] CSDP ALTHEA Staff medal ribbon bar
 * [[Image:CSDP Medal EUTM MALI ribbon bar E-M-S.svg|100px]] CSDP EUTM MALI Medal for Extraordinary Meritorious Service ribbon bar