Question: is the national defense medal a campaign medal

Answer: Yes, The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. The medal was first intended to be a ``blanket campaign medal'' awarded to service members who served honorably during a designated time period of which a ``national emergency'' had been declared during a time of war or conflict. It may also be issued to active military members for any other period that the Secretary of Defense designates.