NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Battle clasp

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.

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.

Categories: Devices and accouterments of U.S. military awards

Results from FactBites:

NZDF Medals - The Queen's South Africa Medal (1087 words)
	The number of clasps on the medals awarded to New Zealand personnel varied from about six clasps allocated to the 1st Contingent of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles down to one clasp allocated to personnel of the 10th Contingent.
	Clasps often were issued loose with the medal, or separately at a later date.
	Date clasps were usually issued loose and at a later date, relying on the recipient to find a jeweller to attach them to the medal.

World War I Victory Medal (1582 words)
	Battle clasps are bronze bars one eighth of an inch high by one and a half inches wide.
	These service clasps are one eighth of an inch high and one and a half inches wide, with the name of the country in which the service was performed inscribed thereon.
	The Navy's service clasps were awarded to personnel who served overseas but were not otherwise eligible for a battle clasp.

More results at FactBites »

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