1. Description: a. Medal: A bronze medal, 1 ¼ inches in diameter, with a view of a polar landscape and the standing figure in Antarctica clothing facing to the front between the horizontally placed words "ANTARCTICA" on the figure’s right and "SERVICE" on the figure’s left. On the reverse is a polar projection with geodesic lines of the continent of Antarctica across which are the horizontally placed words "COURAGE", "SACRIFICE", and "DEVOTION", all within a circular decorative border of penguins and marine life.

    b. Suspension Ribbon Clasp: On a metal clasp, 1 ¼ inches in width and ¼ inch in height, inscribed with the words "WINTERED OVER" in raised letters within a 1/32 inch rim. The metal color of the clasp is bronze for the first winter, gold for the second winter and silver for the third winter. 

    c. Service Ribbon Attachment: On a metal disc, 5/16 inch in diameter, a superimposed delineation of the Antarctica continent. The metal color of the ribbon attachment is bronze for the first winter, gold for the second winter and silver for the third winter. 

2. Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of a 3/16 inch black stripe on each edge and graded from a white stripe in the center to a pale blue, light blue, greenish blue, and medium blue. 

3. Criteria: The Antarctica Service Medal is awarded to any person who subsequent to 1 January 1946 meets any of the following criteria: 

    a. Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or civilian citizen, national, or resident alien of the United States who participates in or has participated in scientific, direct support, or exploratory operations in Antarctica under sponsorship and approval of the United States Government. 

    b.  Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who participates in flights as a member of the crew of an aircraft flying to or from the Antarctic Continent in support of operations. 

    c.  Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or civilian citizen, national, or resident alien of the United States who serves in an United States ship operating south of latitude 60 degrees South in support of United States Programs in Antarctica.

4. Components: The following are authorized components and related items:

    a. Medal (regular size): MIL-DTL-3943/229. NSN 8455-00-965-1708 for full size medal and ribbon bar.

    b. Medal (miniature size): MIL-DTL-3943/229. Available commercially.

    c. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/11. NSN 8455-00-965-1707. Available commercially.

    d. Lapel Button: MIL-L-11484/65. NSN 8455-00-985-7453.

     e. Attachments: Wintered Over Clasp: MIL-R-41819/17. Bronze clasp is NSN 8455-00-082-3070, gold clasp is NSN 8455-00-082-3071, and silver clasp is NSN 8455-00-082-3072. Miniature clasps are available commercially. The stock numbers for the disc are: Bronze 8455-00-082-3073; gold 8455-00-082-3074; and silver 8455-00-082-3075. 

5. Background: a. The Antarctica Service Medal was established by Public Law 86-600 and promulgated in Department of Defense (DOD) Instructions 1348.9 and announced in Department of the Army (DA) Bulletin 3, 1960. 

    b. The Navy was designated as the lead service for DOD in coordination of the new medal. On 28 November 1960, the Navy requested the Quartermaster General’s Office (The Institute of Heraldry) provide proposed designs and assist in development. Proposed designs were forwarded and the Under Secretary of the Navy approved a design on 17 May 1962. Development was completed and samples provided to the Under Secretary of the Navy on 3 December 1962.