The United States Department of Defense presents the Iraqi Campaign Medal to those United States Military members who served at least 30 days of a consecutive period or 60 days of a non-consecutive period within the borders of Iraq. The medal was retroactive from March 19, 2003, and was active until December 31, 2011.
During this tenure, the Military performed seven phases of operations, they are:
Liberalization of Iraq phase – March 19, 2003, to May 1, 2003.
The transition of Iraq Phase – May 2, 2003, to June 28, 2004.
Iraqi Governance Phase – June 29, 2004, to December 15, 2005.
National Resolution Phase – December 16, 2005, to January 9, 2007.
Iraqi Surge Phase – January 10, 2007, to December 31, 2008.
Iraqi Sovereignty Phase – January 1, 2009, to August 31, 2010.
New dawn Phase – September 1, 2010, to December 15, 2011.
The medal is circular and features the geographical outline of Iraq over a laurel wreath with an inscription on top reading Iraq Campaign.