To qualify for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
an individual must meet the following TWO requirements:
1: Honorable Service – must have served in the Armed
Forces of the United States and either received
a discharge of Honorable or General (Under Honorable
Conditions) or be currently serving.
2: Service in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil
or in hostile waters.
• This can be proven by any of the following:
- An authorized campaign medal (see below
for a list of qualifying medals and badges)
- Receipt of Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger
Pay (verified by a military pay statement)
- Service in Korea for 30 consecutive or 60
non-consecutive days
If a veteran’s DD-214 or other military documentation confirms
they have been awarded one of these campaign medals and
they have served honorably, then they are eligible for
membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
• China Service Medal
• American Defense Service Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
• Army of Occupation Medal
• Navy Occupation Service Medal
• Korean Service Medal
• Navy Expeditionary Medal
• Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Southwest Asia Service Medal
• Kosovo Campaign Medal
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• Combat Medical Badge
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Combat Action Medal1
• Combat Action Badge
• SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia
• Korea Defense Service Medal
• Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
• Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon
(WITH GOLD BORDER2)
• Purple Heart
• Korea Duty (Service in Korea for 30 consecutive or
60 non-consecutive days)
• Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay
1 also known as the Air Force Combat Action Medal
2 also known as the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border