Libya

Arab Spring

The current rebellion, is quite a significant one. Inspired by the protests in Tunisia, Egypt and many other Arab countries, Libyans began protesting against the regime of Colenal Gaddafi at the end of February. The protests were squashed, especially in Tripoli, the capital, and instead an armed rebellion began.

The rebels have control of the eastern part of the country, and are based in Benghazi, the second largest city. Pockets of resistance surround Tripoli, but the situation in many western cities remains unclear, including in Misurata, the third largest city. Although in the previous week, the rebel forces appeared to be gaining momentum, but in the recent days Gaddafi appears to have the upper hand. Recently, Gaddafi's forces recaptured the port of Brega, but rebels have counterattacked and the situation in the town remains unclear.

Post-Arab Spring

There are so many problems that are currently found in Libya. The main problem is insecurity which is caused by the various militia groups in the country. These militia groups do not wish to lay down their arms and create a unity government.

Yes and no; while your period off the coast of Libya in '86 does fall within established award eligibility guidelines (see below), everyone in your crew would've been eligible as well, and you would've received the medal within a year or less, and it becomes a part of your permanent record and DD-214. If I remember right, in '82 we got our NEM's about 4 months after getting home. While I can't tell you what we were doing, I can tell you our Navigator was chain smoking for 3 days.

The Navy regulation reads as follows:

"The medal will be awarded to the officers and enlisted men of the Navy who shall have actually landed on foreign territory and engaged in operations against armed opposition, or operated under circumstances which, after full consideration, shall be deemed to merit special recognition and for which service no campaign medal has been awarded."

The Navy's criteria for award is:

Eligibility Requirements

(1) The medal will be awarded to the officers and enlisted men of the Navy and Marine Corps who shall have actually landed on foreign territory and engaged in operations against armed opposition, or operated under circumstances which, after full consideration, shall be deemed to merit special recognition and for which service no campaign medal has been awarded.

(2) No person in the Navy or Marine Corps service is entitled to more than one Expeditionary Medal (either Navy or Marine Corps). Participation in more than one expedition will be recognized by the issue of bronze stars (one star for each expedition in excess of one), to be worn on the ribbon of the Expeditionary Medal.

(3) At present, there is a supply of Marine Corps Expeditionary Medals on hand which will be awarded to Marine Corps personnel participating in authorized expeditions. After this supply is exhausted, the Navy Expeditionary Medal will be the only medal awarded to either Navy or Marine Corps personnel for participation in expeditions.

(4) All officers and men of the Navy and Marine Corps who, under the above-mentioned conditions, took part in an operation listed below may submit to the Chief of Naval Personnel or the Commandant, United States Marine Corps, respectively, through official channels, applications for the above medal. The applications should include the names and dates of the expeditions and a statement to the effect that the applicant actually served ashore as a member of a landing party during the period for which the medal is claimed.

(5) Navy and Marine Corps personnel who served in the defense of Wake Island, 7 to 22 December 1941, will wear a bar inscribed "Wake Island" on the suspension ribbon and a silver "W" on the service ribbon bar of the appropriate Expeditionary Medal. (Navy Department General Order No. 84 of 15 August 1936.)

Below are examples of past operations where the NEM was awarded. However, as I indicated previously, the NEM can be authorized and awarded to individuals or units who have participated in classified operations not necessarily in connection with larger operations in which the public is aware. This was very common during the Cold War.

CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

03 Jan 61 - 23 Oct 62

THAILAND

16 May 62 - 10 Aug 62

INDIAN OCEAN/IRAN/YEMEN

08 Dec 78 - 06 Jun 79

IRAN/INDIAN OCEAN

21 Nov 79 - 20 Oct 81

LEBANON

20 Aug 82 - 31 May 83

LIBYA

20 Jan 86 - 27 Jun 86

PERSIAN GULF

01 Feb 87 - 23 Jul 87

LIBYA (Operation SHARP EDGE)

05 Aug 90 - 21 Feb 91

DISTANT RUNNER (Rowanda)

07 Apr 94 - 18 Apr 94

Source Credit: Navy Awards Manual, Naval Historical Center

Since you're apparently eligible and don't have one, you probably need to contact OPNAV 09B33 (Awards & Special Projects Branch) in D.C. The address is:

Chief of Naval Operations

(OPNAV 09B33)

Awards & Special Projects

Washington, DC 20350-2000

If anyone can help straighten out an award that wasn't given to an eligible sailor, it's them.

Gadhafi became the leader of Libya in 1969. The living standards of Libyans have improved significantly since the 1970s, ranking the country among the highest in Africa. Urbanization, developmental projects, and high oil revenues have allowed the Libyan government to elevate its people's living standards. The social and economic status of women and children has particularly improved. Various subsidized or free services (health, education, housing, and basic foodstuffs) have ensured basic necessities. A very low percentage of people without access to safe water, health services, sanitation, and relatively high life expectancy (70.2 years) in 1998 indicate the improved living standards. Adequate health care and subsidized foodstuffs have sharply reduced infant morality, from 105 per 1,000 live births in 1970 to 20 per 1,000 live births in 1998. The government also subsidizes education, which is compulsory and free between the ages of 6 and 15. The expansion of educational facilities has elevated the literacy rate (78.1 in 1998).

Read more: Libya Poverty and wealth, Information about Poverty and wealth in Libya http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Africa/Libya-POVERTY-AND-WEALTH.html#ixzz1GwsZhfx5