Prisoner of War Medal

Infobox Military Award
name=Prisoner of War Medal


caption=
awarded_by= United States of America
type= Medal
eligibility= Military Personnel, US Civilian Nationals Fact|date=April 2007
for= The Prisoner of War Medal may be awarded to any person who was a prisoner of war after April 5, 1917, (the date of the United States entry into World War I)
campaign=
status= Currently Awarded
description=
clasps=
established=
first_award= Signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1985 but can be awarded retroactively .
last_award=
total=
posthumous=
recipients=Bud Day John McCain James Stockdale
individual=
higher=Army - Achievement Medal Navy - Navy "E" Ribbon Air Force - Outstanding Unit Award
same=
lower=Army, Navy, & Marine Corps - Good Conduct Medal Air Force - Combat Readiness Medal
related=


caption2= Prisoner of War RibbonThe Prisoner of War Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was authorized by Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on 8 November 1985.

The Prisoner of War Medal may be awarded to any person who was a prisoner of war after April 5, 1917, (the date of the United States entry into World War I). It is awarded to any person who was taken prisoner or held captive while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing Armed Force; or while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Hostages of terrorists, and persons detained by governments in which the U.S. is not actively engaged in armed conflict are not eligible for the medal. The person's conduct, while in captivity, must have been honorable. This medal may be awarded posthumously to the surviving next of kin of the recipient.

The medal was designed by Jay C. Morris of the Institute of Heraldry.

Legal

Any false verbal, written or physical claim to the Prisoner of War Medal, by an individual to whom it has not been awarded, is a federal felony offense punishable by up to 12 months in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.

External links

* [http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/PRISONER%20OF%20WAR%20MEDAL1.html US Army Institute of Heraldry: Prisoner of War Medal]