The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was created, like so many other World War II medals, by an executive order issued by President Franklin Roosevelt in November of 1942. These military medals were issued to honor the military service of US military personnel who served in the European Theater including North Africa and the Middle East during World War II. It was first awarded as military ribbons for any service performed during the time between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946. The colors for these military ribbons were chosen from the flags of the United States, Germany and Italy. It was later authorized in the form of military medals, which were awarded to many thousands of United States service persons. Service personnel who served in multiple campaigns during the designated times were authorized to display Service Stars for each additional campaign, and the arrowhead device was awarded for any airborne or amphibious operations performed.

The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is worn after the American Campaign Medal and before the World War Two Victory Medal in the order of precedence for military medals. This military decoration is considered the equivalent of the Asia-Pacific Campaign Medal, and is available for service members who served in all the branches of the United States military during World War II.

The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is generally available as an Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Award, and can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. Like most military medals, it is available as traditional slide-on military medals or mini-medals and slide-on military ribbons. These military awards are also available in the newer and much sleeker ultra thin military ribbons, and thin mounted military medals and mini-medals which have become so popular with service members who realize the value to their careers of always looking their best.