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This post was originally posted on Medals of America's Blog under the name "Iraq Medal of Commitment" and we thought it would be useful to the readers here at milplace. Medals of America is the premier source for all things military. From Army Awards, Military Rank and Navy Rates we've been the largest supplier since 1976.

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Earlier this year Iraq’s Minister of Defense, Dr. Saadoun Al-Dlaimi, sent notice to the Secretary of Defense authorizing the Government of Iraq Commitment Medal. Here is an example of how we receive information and announcements on new military medals here at Medals of America. This medal has yet to be adopted and produced. Below is the message written to the Secretary.

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Dear Mr. Secretary:

As Iraq and the United States prepare for the final withdrawal of United States forces, we reflect upon the long years during which we have been mutually committed to the effort to achieve peace and prosperity for the people of Iraq. We wish to recognize the contributions of those who have dedicated themselves to this great work. The government of Iraq is pleased to inform you that it has approved the issuance of the Government of Iraq Commitment Medal as a fitting means of acknowledgement.

It is our intention that the medal be awarded to military personnel who served in Iraq as part of the armed forces of the United States and other coalition nations. To qualify to receive the medal, service members must have served for 30 consecutive days or for 60 non-consecutive days within the borders of Iraq, within its territorial waters, or within its airspace during the period of March 19, 2003 to December 31, 2011. Pilots and aircrew members who flew missions within Iraqi airspace will be credited for one day for each day of air operations. In addition, service members who engaged in combat during an armed engagement or were wounded or injured in the line of duty to a degree which required medical evacuation from Iraq qualify without regard to the number of days of service. We expect that more than one million current or former service members may be eligible to receive the Commitment Medal.

We have enclosed a depiction of the medal and its associated ribbon. The Government of Iraq authorizes military authorities of the United States and other coalition partners to award the medal on behalf of Iraq to persons whose military records demonstrate that they qualify. We further authorize the United States and other coalition partners to arrange for the production of the medal and ribbon in their respective countries so that the items may be readily available to the recipients.

May the commitment to the bright future of Iraq, which we have shared through many difficult years, never be forgotten.

Sincerely,

Dr. Saadoun Al-Dlaimi
Minister of Defense

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The Commitment Medal is to be issued by the Government of Iraq to honor the service of the United States and its Allies during the Liberation of Iraq.

Description – The Commitment Medal is a gold-colored medal with enamel, 1 9/16 in diameter. On the front the relief of Iraq represents the area of operation. The lines symbolize the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, recalling Iraq’s title as “the land of two rivers.” The two hands superimposed over the relief symbolize the friendship between Iraq and her coalition allies. The star at the center top represents a vision of unity for the seven peoples of Iraq (Sunni, Shia, Kurd, Turkoman, Assyrian, Yazidi, Armenian) leading to a more secure, prosperous and free future for Iraqis. The inscription in both Arabic and English merge into a continuous circle symbolizing the closeness of Iraq and her allies.
On the reverse side the rayed disc symbolizes the sun, optimism and Iraq’s future of reconstruction and the establishment of the democratic way of life. The relief of Iraq represents the area of operation. The lines symbolize the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, recalling Iraq’s title as “the land of two rivers.” The crossed scimitars recall the partnership between Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces essential to bringing a democratic way of life to Iraq. Gold is emblematic of honor and high achievement. It states JOINT COMMITMENT in both Arabic and English symbolizing the unity of effort between Iraq and her Coalition Partners. The palm trees along with the palm fronds on the front represent the sacrifices made by the Coalition Partners.

Ribbon – The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches in width; however it is it is mounted on the ribbon bar horizontally so that the horizontal top stripe is a 1/16 Chamois (67142) stripe with a 3/64 inch Scarlett (67111) stripe underneath it. A 1/16 inch White (67101) stripe on each side of a 1/16 Green (67129) follows. Below the bottom white stripe is a 3/64 Black (67138) stripe with a 1/16 Chamois (67142) stripe serving as the bottom stripe. A device of palm fronds representing the sacrifices of coalition forces, both Iraqi and Allied, is centered on the ribbon.

The colors represent the following. The Green is the traditional color for Islam. Red honors the fighting courage for the pursuit of freedom. White denotes generosity and black exemplifies Islam’s success. The tan represents the sands of Mesopotamia.

On 7 December 1941, in one of the defining moments in U.S. history, the Japanese attacked the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and nearby military airfields and installations, based at Pearl Harbor, then Territory of Hawaii, and removed the U.S. Navy’s battleship force as a possible threat to the Japanese Empire’s southward expansion. The U.S. was now brought into the World War II as a full combatant.

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