Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Example Display Recognition
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • Issue Regulations
      •    Change To Eligibility Policy
      • Who May Apply
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How To Apply For This Display Recognition and/or Medal
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Other Display Recognitions
      • Army Overseas Service Websites
      • Example Display Recognition:
        Actual Size: 8 1/2 x 11



        Who May Apply

        • Veteran recipients
        • Active Duty recipients
        • Family Members of recipients
        • Estate Inheritors

        Display Types

        You have four display types to choose from:
        Black & White (No Color)
        Heavy Bond Enclosure

        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        Colors: Regal, Black, Navy
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements

        You must submit one of the following:

      • An unaltered photocopy of your DD-214, OR WD AGO 53-55, OR other military issued document clearly displaying your Army Overseas Service Ribbon.
      • Contact The War Library if you do not have a DD-214, WD AGO, NAVPERS, NG or other Report of Separation: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone).
      • NOTICE

        This Display Recognition is available ONLY to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility. (See "Issue Requirements"). To obtain either a Display Medal or a Display Recognition for your authorized award you will be required to provide military-issued documentation authorizing your award. There are no exceptions.

        WARNING!
        You must NOT submit a military issued document or photocopy that:

        • has been altered in any way by you after
          the original's official issue
        • contains information or corrections or
          additions that you entered
        • lists awards or training you knowingly did not receive
        • contains highlighting, colorizing or other markings you entered

        Be advised that on request any knowingly fraudulent document sent by you will be released to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that may result in prosecution and/or fine/imprisonment.

        Email Questions, or Phone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

        Personnel Branch
        Processing and Delivery

        Style Admin Shipping Total
        Full Color .PDF (Printable) $7.50 Emailed $7.50
        Published Document only (Full Color) $14.00 $10.77 USPS $24.77
        Published Document in Heavy Bond Enclosure (Full Color) $19.00 $10.77 USPS $29.77
        Full Color Printable Certificates
        on CD-Rom (minimum 20 Certificates)
        $7.50 $7.50 By Count

      • Total/Shipping fees, above, apply to 50 U.S. states
      • Contact The War Library for international shipping cost
      • How to Apply

        You may apply for your Display Recognition using a...

      • Check Debit card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Charge card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Personal, Business, Bank or Cashiers Check ( Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • Money Order (* Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • (* Upon reception of required documentation)

        Complete and MAIL this APPLICATION FORM.
        Don't forget to include an unaltered COPY of your DD-214, WD AGO 53-55 or other pre-arranged document(s).

        DISPLAY RECOGNITION and/or MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

        Mailing Address

        Records Chief (REC-AMW)
        The American War Library
        817 East Via Carmelitos Ste 319
        Long Beach CA 90805-7549

        Questions?

        Click here for answers to common questions

        Email: Army Overseas Service Ribbon Display Recognition Inquiry

        Telephone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

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        Issue Regulations
        Army Overseas Service Ribbon

        Establishing Authority


        Click for larger image

        The Overseas Service Ribbon was established on April 10, 1981, by Secretary of the Army John O. Marsh, Jr.

        Effective Dates

        The Overseas Service Ribbon has been in effect since August 1, 1981.

        Criteria

        The Overseas Service Ribbon is awarded to all active members of the Army, the Army National Guard, and to Army Reservists who are credited with a normal overseas tour completed since August 1, 1981 (provided they have an active Army status on or after August 1, 1981). This ribbon may not be awarded for overseas service recognized by another United States service medal. (See RESCINDMENT of the above sentence.)

        Order of Precedence

        The Overseas Service Ribbon is worn after the Army Service Ribbon and before the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.

        Devices

        Second or subsequent awards are denoted by bronze numerals.

        1. Description: The Army Overseas Service ribbon is 1 3/8 inches in with. It is composed of the following vertical stripes: 3/16 inch National Flag Blue 67124, 5/16 inch Grotto Blue 67165, 1/16 inch Golden Yellow 67104, 1/4 inch Brick Red 67113, 1/16 inch Golden Yellow, 5/16 inch Grotto Blue, and 3/16 inch National Flag Blue.

        2. Components: Ribbon. MIL-D-11589/282. (There is no medal for this ribbon).

        3. Criteria: a. Effective August 1, 1981, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon is awarded to all members of the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve in an active Reserve status for successful completion of overseas tours if the tour is not recognized by the award of a service or campaign medal.

        b. The ribbon may be awarded retroactively to personnel who were credited with a normal overseas tour completion before August 1, 1981, provided they had an Active Army status on or after August 1, 1981.

        c. Requirements for award of the ribbon are contained in AR 600-8-22.

        4. Background: a. The Army Overseas Service Ribbon was established by the Secretary of the Army on April 10, 1981.

        b. Subsequent tours will be indicated by the use of numerals.

        CHANGE TO ELIGIBILITY POLICY

        R 252100Z OCT 05
        FM DA WASHINGTON DC//MILITARY AWARDS BRANCH//
        TO ALARACT ZEN/ADDRESS LISTS @ AL ALARACT(UC)BT UNCLAS ALARACT 215/2005 F O U O

        SUBJ: ARMY AWARDS POLICY CLARIFICATION AND CHANGES

        1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MESSAGE IS TO PROVIDE THE POLICY CLARIFICATION ON CHANGES TO AWARD OF THE OVERSEAS SERVICE RIBBON.

        2. A change to the requirements for award of the OSR has eliminated the policy that restricted award of the OSR when another campaign/service medal is awarded. Effective immediately, Paragraph 5-4D, AR 600-8-22, is RESCINDED.

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