Kosovo Campaign Medal
U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen awarded General Clark the first Kosovo Campaign Medal in June of 2000.
The Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was established by Presidential Order of William J. Clinton on May 3, 2000.
The decoration recognizes General Clark’s military service performed in the Serbian province of Kosovo from the year 1999 to the present.
In a speech at the SACEUR Change of Command Ceremony in Germany, Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen said,
“General Clark, men and women of EUCOM, we thank you again for your outstanding leadership and for reminding us that behind the greatest alliance in history stands the finest military in history. And it is for this and other reasons that I am recommending the creation of the Kosovo Campaign Medal, which I hope will be awarded to all who participated in that great effort. No one should ever doubt either your service or your success,” he said.
“Faced with an adversary who manufactured a vicious, humanitarian nightmare, you responded with compassion and speed to relieve human suffering.”
Cohen added, “Future historians will recount how the passionate leadership of Wes Clark and the dedicated men and women of this command combined to spark new possibilities across this continent, forging new bonds in a great Partnership for Peace and serving alongside soldiers from some 38 nations to bring peace to Bosnia and Kosovo.”
About the Kosovo Campaign Medal
Individuals authorized to receive the KCM must have, for 30 days or 60 cumulative days, participated in or served in direct support of one or more of the following Kosovo operations: Allied Force, Joint Guardian, Allied Harbor, Sustain Hope/Shining Hope, Noble Anvil, or Kosovo Task Force Hawk, Task Force Saber, or Task Force Hunter within the Kosovo Air Campaign or Kosovo Defense Campaign area of eligibility.
Reportedly, the Secretary of Defense ensured a waiver was granted so that Gen. Wesley Clark received the very first of the newly minted Kosovo Campaign Medals during his retirement ceremony. A waiver was necessary because, ironically, Gen. Clark’s service didn’t meet the time criteria because he directed the 78-day air campaign mostly from his headquarters in Mons, Belgium, meaning he and his staff – as well as thousands of troops supporting the effort from bases throughout Europe and the United States – were ineligible.
Source:
http://ww2.pstripes.osd.mil/01/jun01/ed061601k.html
http://www.marksmedals.com/us_medals_files/kosovo.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_Campaign_Medal
http://italy.usembassy.gov/file2000_05/alia/a0050212.htm
