Multinational Force and Observers Medal

Multinational Force and Observers Medal
MFO medal
Awarded by Multinational Force and Observers
Type	Campaign medal
Eligibility	Members of the MFO team
Awarded for	170 days service
Status	Active
Statistics
Established	March 24, 1982
Precedence
Next (higher)	(for U.S. Armed Forces) NATO Medal (for Canadian Forces) International Commission for Control and Supervision Medal (for NZDF) Kuwait Liberation Medal
Next (lower)	(for U.S. Armed Forces) Inter-American Defense Board Medal (for Canadian Forces) European Community Monitor Mission Medal (for NZDF) Korean War Service Medal
Related	MFO Civilian Medal MFO Director General's Award
Ribbon for the Multinational Force and Observers Medal

The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is an international military decoration which was first created on March 24, 1982. The medal was established under the authority of the Director-General of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) which were established to monitor a neutral ceasefire zone, between Egypt and Israel, as the result of the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

Clasps and Bars

Silver numerals, beginning with numeral '2', worn on the medal ribbon are awarded for additional periods of service with the same mission.

Manner of wear

U.S. armed forces

The United States military began issuing the Multinational Force and Observers Medal on July 28, 1982. The medal was made retroactive to August 1981 and was presented to any United States service member who served at least ninety cumulative days as a member of the Multinational Force and Observers. On March 15, 1985, the time period was increased to a minimum of 170 days. The time frame could be waived if the award was presented posthumously, a service member was medically evacuated from the region, or if the Director-General of the Multinational Force and Observers presented the award for a specific act or special case.

The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is authorized for wear as a United States military award under the category of "Non-U.S. service award" and is worn after all U.S. decorations and before foreign awards of individual countries. Multiple presentations are denoted by award numerals. Similar international military decorations include the NATO Service Medals and the United Nations Service Medals.

Canadian forces

The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is considered an authorized medal within the International Mission Medals category (located after NATO Awards and before Commemorative Awards) for the Canadian Forces (CF). Its order of precedence within the International Missions Medals category is based on date of award (1982-present) and may be worn directly after the International Commission for Control and Supervision Medal (1973) and before the European Community Monitor Mission Medal for Yugoslavia (1991).

New Zealand defence forces

The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is considered an authorized medal for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) within the Foreign Medals category, the last category in the New Zealand order of precedence. The MFO Medal is worn directly after the Kuwait Liberation Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

Australian forces

The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is authorized to be worn as a foreign medal for the Australian Defence Force. The medal is worn after Australian medals, with other foreign awards, in the order of date of receipt.

External links

• Multinational Force & Observers website
• US Army Institute of Heraldry