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.
See also: Awards and decorations of the United States military
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.
