The Inter-American Defense Board Medal is an international military award which was created on December 11, 1945, by the 91st session of the

Inter-American Defense Board The Inter-American Defense Board (IADB) is an international committee of nationally appointed defense officials who develop collaborative approaches on common defense and security issues facing countries in North, Central, and South America. The ...

, a Pan-American defense group devoted to the security of the member countries of the

Organization of American States The Organization of American States (OAS; es, Organización de los Estados Americanos, pt, Organização dos Estados Americanos, french: Organisation des États américains; ''OEA'') is an international organization that was founded on 30 April ...

. The Inter-American Defense Board Medal is awarded to any military officer, serving in a member nation of the Organization of American States, who completes a tour of service with the Inter-American Defense Board. The award is also presented to military personnel who serve on the staff of the IADB Chairman, Secretariat, or for those who complete instructor tours at the

Inter-American Defense College The Inter-American Defense College (IADC) is the educational entity of the Inter-American Defense Board, an independent entity of the Organization of American States. The College states that faculty, staff and student body are international, and ...

. The Inter-American Defense Board Medal is a one-time decoration but may be upgraded with inch silver and gold stars depending on the length of time an individual serves with the Inter-American Defense Board. A silver service star or bar is awarded for one year of service; a gold service star or bar for two; two gold stars or bars for between three years and five; and three gold stars or bars for more than five years service. U.S. military personnel who have been awarded the Inter-American Defense Board Medal and ribbon may wear them when attending meetings, ceremonies, or other functions where Latin American members of the Board are present. 578.122 Inter-American Defense Board Medal
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Usage with national military regalia of the member states

United States

In the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

, the Inter-American Defense Board Medal was only recognized as a

military award Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. DoD Manual 1348.33, 2010, Vol. 3 A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medal ...

on May 12, 1981. Since that time, the Inter-American Defense Board Medal had been approved for wear on

United States military The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. The armed forces consists of six service branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The president of the United States is the ...

uniforms and will follow U.S. Military decorations and before military awards of individual foreign countries.

Other similar awards

Similar international military awards include the

NATO Medal The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It is manufactured by Eekelers-Centini Intl, of Hemiksem, Belgium. Ba ...

United Nations Medal A United Nations Medal is an international decoration An international decoration is a military award which is not bestowed by a particular country, but rather by an international organization such as the United Nations or NATO. Such awards ar ...

United Nations Service Medal The United Nations Service Medal for Korea (UNKM) is an international military decoration established by the United Nations on December 12, 1950 as the United Nations Service Medal. The decoration was the first international award ever created by t ...

, and the Multinational Force and Observers Medal.

References

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External links

IADB Regulations, Art. 47 of which deals with the Inter-American Defense Board Medal
Organization of American States International orders, decorations, and medals