Marine Corps Expeditionary Miniature Medal

The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal (MCEM) is a decoration presented to recognize marine Corps members who have landed on foreign shores and participated in operations against enemy forces. Individuals may also be eligible who served in a mission, where no other medal was given and is considered by an authority to warrant this award. The Marine Corps Expedition Medal and the Armed Forces Expedition 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 and the Wake Island Device is issued with the medal when it was awarded for participation in the defense of Wake Island at the commencement of World War II.