The Antarctica Service Medal was established by the United States Congress in 1960. The decoration was intended as a Antarctica expeditions from 1928 to 1941. The following commemorative medals were declared obsolete, following the creation of the Antarctica Service Medal.

• Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal
• United States Antarctic Expedition Medal

The Antarctica Service Medal is considered a decoration of the United States military, issued in the name of the Department of Defense, and is authorized for wear on active duty uniforms. This is a change from the previous Antarctic medals, issued prior to the Antarctica Service Medal, as such medals were considered commemorative.

To qualify for the Antarctica Service Medal, a service member must serve between fifteen to thirty days stationed on the Antarctica continent, defined as south of 60 degrees latitude. Flight crews performing transport missions to Antarctica qualify for one day of service for each flight mission performed within a twenty four hour time period.

For those service members performing extended winter service in Antarctica, a Wintered Over Device is authorized. The Arctic equivalents of the Antarctica Service Medal are the Arctic Service Ribbon, issued by the United States Navy, and the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal, issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.