Arctic Service Medal

This is only available to the US Coast Guard. It was instituted in 1976 and is awarded to any member of the Coast Guard who has served twenty-one consecutive days subsequent to January 1, 1946, under any of the following conditions:

• during summer operations (1 May to 31 October) aboard a Coast Guard vessel operating in polar waters north of the Arctic Circle;

• during winter operations (1 November to 30 April) aboard a Coast Guard vessel operating in polar waters north of latitude 60 degrees North in the Bering Sea, Davis Strait, or Denmark Strait;

• At the Radio Station at Barrow, Alaska or any of the following Loran Stations: Cape Athol, Greenland; Cape Christian (Baffin Island), Canada; Port Clarence, Alaska; Bo, Norway; or January Mayen Island, Norway;

• The medal can also be earned by crew members of Coast Guard aircraft flying to or from any of the stations listed above or any shore stations north of the Arctic Circle. The time required is a cumulative total of 21 days, with a flight in and out within a 24 hour period counting only one day. On a case by case basis, awards can be made to other personnel including civilians who participate in Coast Guard Arctic Programmes, perform significant service, and share the hardships and hazards of the operation.