Navy Expeditionary Medal Ribbon
The Navy Expeditionary Medal (NEM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have landed on foreign shores and participated in operations against enemy forces. Individuals also may be eligible who served in a mission that is considered by an authority to warrant this award. It is retroactive to February 12, 1874. The Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal are not authorized to be awarded for the same event and service members who qualify for both must decide which medal they prefer. Subsequent awards are denoted by Service Stars worn on the award ribbon.