[1] The War was fought between the British HEIC and the Kingdom of Burma, primarily over Burmese incursions into north east India.

[4][5] The only European to receive the medal, in gold, was General Sir Archibald Campbell who commanded the British and Indian forces during the campaign.

[3] Europeans who took part, including officers in HEIC service and members of the British Army and Royal Navy, were not eligible for the medal.

In the exergue is the Persian inscription The Elephant of Ava is obedient to the Lion of England, year 1826.The reverse, designed by William Wyon,[1] depicts the storming of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon.

[4] The medal was worn on the left chest, suspended from a 1.5 inches (38 mm) wide ribbon of crimson with dark blue edges.