History
The Iraq Medal is the British campaign medal for operational service in Iraq during Operation Telic, awarded for service in the theatre between 20 January 2003 and 22 May 2011, from the build-up and invasion through the long years of occupation and reconstruction. It sits alongside the Operational Service Medals in the modern British series but is a distinct medal for its own campaign.
Those who served in the most intense opening phase, in the invasion zone between 19 March and 28 April 2003, received the medal with a dated clasp; others received it without. This is a British award; Australians who served in Iraq received the Australian Active Service Medal and related Australian awards. Where held, it takes its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is silver and circular, its obverse bearing the crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II. The reverse depicts an ancient Mesopotamian relief, a lamassu or winged human-headed bull, recalling the cradle of civilisation, with the word IRAQ. The recipient's details are impressed on the rim.
The ribbon
Sand-coloured with central service stripes.
The ribbon is sand-coloured with central stripes representing the three services and the desert landscape of the campaign.
Clasps
Service in the opening phase of the campaign is marked by a dated clasp.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded for operational service in Iraq between 20 January 2003 and 22 May 2011.
- Service in Zone One between 19 March and 28 April 2003 earns the medal with the clasp 19 Mar to 28 Apr 03; other qualifying service earns the medal without a clasp;
- There is no minimum period for those killed, wounded, decorated or mentioned in despatches;
- This is a British award; Australians received Australian awards for the same service. Where held, it takes its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
Imperial and British awards were the honours of Australia before the Australian honours system was established in 1975. Australians who served the campaigns of these medals generally received the corresponding Australian awards; where a British award is held, it takes its place in the Australian Order of Wearing among the awards of other recognised governments and international organisations, worn after Australian campaign medals in date order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Iraq Medal awarded for?
Operational service in Iraq on Operation Telic between 20 January 2003 and 22 May 2011, from the invasion through the years of occupation.
What is the clasp?
The clasp 19 Mar to 28 Apr 03, awarded for service in the invasion zone in that opening phase; other qualifying service earns the medal without a clasp.
What does the reverse show?
An ancient Mesopotamian winged human-headed bull, a lamassu, recalling the cradle of civilisation, with the word IRAQ.
Would an Australian wear this medal?
Australians who served in Iraq received Australian awards, chiefly the Australian Active Service Medal; the British medal is a foreign award, worn in the Australian order among other governments' awards where held.
How does it differ from the Operational Service Medal for Iraq and Syria?
This medal is for the 2003 to 2011 Iraq campaign, Operation Telic; the Operational Service Medal for Iraq and Syria is for the later Operation Shader against ISIL from 2014.
Is it named to the recipient?
Yes, impressed on the rim.