In an executive order signed this week, Bush declared that "the Afghanistan Campaign Medal shall be awarded to members of the uniformed services of the United States who serve or have served in Afghanistan or contiguous air space, as defined by such regulations, on or after October 24, 2001, and before a terminal date to be prescribed by the Secretary of Defense."

He also created a separate Iraq Campaign Medal for troops serving in Iraq or in its adjoining waters or air space on or after March 19, 2003.

Bush declared that troops are eligible only to receive either an Iraq or Afghanistan campaign medal or the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

"No member shall be entitled to the award of more than one of these three medals for the same period of service," the executive order stipulated.

However, soldiers who have already qualified for the war on terrorism medal will remain eligible for that honor, it noted.

The Iraq and Afghanistan medals may also be awarded posthumously, according to the November 29 decree.