CONTEXT
The conflict in the Kosovo province of the Yugoslav Federal Republic started at the beginning of 1998 with the armed incidents between the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and the Yugoslav military and police force. The armed conflict caused a humanitarian catastrophe which had to be urgently addressed by a consorted action of the broad international community. From the very beginning NATO took an active part in the peace campaign as well as contributing to Kosovo reconstruction process after the conflict has been terminated with the help of the international community.
ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA
Awarded for:
- thirty days continuous or accumulated service from 18 October 1998 to 31 December 2001 on the land, at sea or in the air space of Kosovo and other territories of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Albania, the Former Republic of Macedonia, and the Adriatic and Ionian Seas (the theatre of operations); or
- Ninety days continuous or accumulated service from 18 October 1998 to 31 December 2001, in the territories of Italy, Greece, and Hungary, in direct support of the NATO operations in Kosovo (the adjacent area); or
- Aircrew who participated in Operation ALLIED FORCE between 24 Mar and 10 Jun 99 will be deemed to have qualified after flying 15 sorties during the operation in the airspace of Kosovo and the other territories of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Aircrew who completed less than 15 sorties under this criteria will be allowed to aggregate the number of sorties completed with other qualifying service.
This medal was replaced by the Non-Article 5 NATO Medal for Operations in the Balkans on 1 January 2003.
DESCRIPTION
The Medal is circular in form and made of bronze, and bearing:
on the obverse, the NATO star set in a wreath of olive leaves; and
on the reverse, the title "North Atlantic Treaty Organization" and the words "In the service of peace and freedom" in English and French.
A large ring is attached to the top of the medal.
The ribbon is dark blue the colour of NATO with, two white strips on either end with a solid white strip running down the centre representing peace.
The tour numerals are Arabic script and made of bronze.
BAR(S)
The medal is always issued with a bar, inscribed "KOSOVO".
WEARING
The NATO Medal shall be worn in sequence prescribed in the Canadian Orders, Decorations and Medals Directive, and in the following manner:
on the left breast, suspended from the ribbon described above, after the NATO FRY medal and before the NATO MACEDONIA medal.
The bar is worn centered on the ribbon.
POSTNOMINALS
The use of a post-nominal is not authorized for this medal.
HISTORICAL NOTES
The following is a list of members who have died while serving in the theatre of operations
Sgt Squires H.J.
Honours & Awards
