Prisoner of War Medal and Ribbon
Prisoner of War Ribbon
Prisoner of War Medal
History - Established 1985
Established on November 8, 1985, the Prisoner of War Medal honors U.S. military personnel who became a prisoner of war on or after April 5 of 1917 while carrying out service with the United States Armed Forces or friendly foreign forces against an enemy group. To qualify, the individual’s comportment during capture is required to have been honorable.
Details
The medal is bronze and features an eagle encircled by barbed wire. The reverse features inscriptions reading “AWARDED TO [NAME OF RECIPIENT] FOR HONORABLE SERVICE WHILE A PRISONER OF WAR” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” The ribbon is black with thin vertical stripes of white, blue, white, and red proceeding out to each edge.
Additional awards may be indicated by service stars.
Bronze Star
Silver Star
Precedence
Next Higher: Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation
Next Lower: Combat Readiness
Prisoner of War Ribbon
Prisoner of War Medal