Campaign clasp - Definition and Overview

Campaign Clasp Examples

A Campaign clasp is an attachment to a military award consisting of a metal bar which is pinned to the upper cloth portion of an award medal. Campaign clasps may denote battle credit for which the award was authorized, some special achievement above the normal criteria for the medal, to distinguish the geographical area in which the medal was earned, or as some special recognition to the medal’s recipient.

In the United States military, campaign clasps were widely used on medals which were authorized during the early 20th century. The following are United States military decorations which are authorized campaign clasps.

• American Defense Service Medal
• Antarctica Service Medal
• Army of Occupation Medal
• Lifesaving Medal
• Navy Occupation Service Medal
• Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
• Navy Expeditionary Medal
• Sampson Medal
• World War I Victory Medal

See also: Awards and decorations of the United States military

Campaign clasps are only worn on full sized medals and are not displayed on award ribbons. In such cases, campaign clasps are annotated by service stars when wearing an award as a ribbon on a military uniform.

Campaign clasps may also be known as battle clasps, service clasps, or award clasps. Enlistment bars are very similar to campaign clasps but are considered separate award devices.