The medal is awarded to a member of the military who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the Federation, distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the Federation; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the Federation is not a belligerent party.
