Awards and decorations of the United States Military are the military awards including decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States Armed Forces. Together with military badges, such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.
Order of precedence
While each service has its own order of precedence, the following general rules apply to all services:
- U.S. military personal decorations
- U.S. military unit awards
- U.S. non-military personal decorations (after unit awards in order of receipt; if from the same agency, the applicable agency precedence listing should be consulted)
- U.S. non-military unit awards
- U.S. military campaign awards
- U.S. military service and training awards
- U.S. Merchant Marine awards and non-military service awards
- Foreign military personal decorations
- Foreign military unit awards
- Non-U.S. service awards (e.g., United Nations, NATO)
- Foreign military service awards
- Marksmanship awards (Navy and Coast Guard)
- State awards of the National Guard (Army & Air Force)
Unit awards are worn on the right side in the U.S. Army.
Active United States
By order of precedence
Note: Precedence of particular awards will vary slightly among the different branches of service.
| Ribbon/Award Name
|
| Personal decorations
|
Medal of Honor
Awarded for "Gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty"
|
| Service Cross medals. Awarded for "Extraordinary heroism"
Distinguished Service Cross (Army)
Navy Cross
Air Force Cross
Coast Guard Cross
|
| Distinguished Service medals
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
|
| Silver Star Awarded for "Gallantry in action"
|
| Defense Superior Service Medal
|
| Legion of Merit
|
| Distinguished Flying Cross
|
| Medals for non-combat heroism
Soldier's Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Airman's Medal
Coast Guard Medal
|
| Bronze Star Medal
|
| Purple Heart
|
| Meritorious service medals
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
|
| Air Medal
|
| Aerial Achievement Medal
|
| Commendation medals
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Coast Guard Commendation Medal
|
| Achievement medals
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Coast Guard Achievement Medal
|
| Commandant's Letter of Commendation
|
| Navy and Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon
Air Force Combat Action Medal
|
| Unit Awards
|
| Presidential Unit Citations
Army and Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation
|
| Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Army Valorous Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation
Air Force Gallant Unit Citation
Coast Guard Unit Commendation
|
| Meritorious Unit Commendations
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation
|
| Army Superior Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation
|
| Efficiency Awards
Navy "E" Ribbon
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Coast Guard "E" Ribbon
|
| Service awards
|
| Prisoner of War Medal
|
| Combat Readiness Medal
|
| Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon
|
| Air Force Recognition Ribbon
|
| Good Conduct medals
Army Good Conduct Medal
Navy Good Conduct Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal
|
| Reserve decorations
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal
Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal
|
| Expeditionary medals
Navy Expeditionary Medal
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
|
|
| Ribbon/Award Name
|
| Campaign and service medals
|
| Army of Occupation Medal
|
| Navy Occupation Service Medal
|
| National Defense Service Medal
|
| Antarctica Service Medal
|
| Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal
|
| Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
|
| Vietnam Service Medal
|
| Southwest Asia Service Medal
|
| Kosovo Campaign Medal
|
| Afghanistan Campaign Medal
|
| Iraq Campaign Medal
|
| Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
|
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
|
| Korea Defense Service Medal
|
| Armed Forces Service Medal
|
| Humanitarian Service Medal
|
| Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
|
| Air and Space Campaign Medal
|
| Service and training awards
|
| Army Sea Duty Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon
|
| Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
|
| Navy Arctic Service Ribbon
Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon
|
| Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon
|
| Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
|
| Air Force Longevity Service Award
|
| Recruiting service ribbons
Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon
Air Force Recruiter Ribbon
Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon
Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon
|
| Training service ribbons
Air Force Military Training Instructor Ribbon
Navy Recruit Training Service Ribbon
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon
|
| Guard ribbons
Navy Ceremonial Guard Ribbon
Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon
|
| Professional Development Ribbons
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Air Force NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
|
| Air Force Honor Graduate Ribbon
Coast Guard Honor Graduate Ribbon
|
| Army Service Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
|
| Marksmanship awards [1][2][3]
|
| Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
|
| Rifle
Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Distinguished Marksman Device)
Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Silver Rifle EIC Device)
Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Bronze Rifle EIC Device)
Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device)
Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device)
Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device
Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device
Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon
Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon
|
| Pistol
Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Distinguished Pistol Shot Device)
Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Silver Pistol EIC Device)
Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Bronze Pistol EIC Device)
Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device)
Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device)
Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device
Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device
Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
|
|
[4]
By military department
To denote additional achievements or multiple awards of the same decoration, the United States military maintains a number of award devices which are pinned to service ribbons and medals.
National Guard and state defense forces
Other award types
Obsolete
- Main articles: Obsolete military awards of the United States and United States service medals of the World Wars
| Ribbon/Award Name
|
| Personal decorations
|
| Certificate of Merit Medal
|
| Marine Corps Brevet Medal
|
| Army Wound Ribbon
|
| Specially Meritorious Service Medal
|
| Department of Transportation military awards
|
| Transportation Distinguished Service Medal
|
| Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award
|
| Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation
|
| 19th and early 20th century Commemorative Medals
|
| Sampson Medal)
|
| Dewey Medal)
|
| United States Antarctic Expedition Medal
|
| 19th and early 20th century Campaign Medals
|
| Civil War Campaign Medal
|
| Indian Campaign Medal
|
| China Campaign Medal (Army)
|
| China Relief Expedition Medal (Navy)
|
| Spanish-American War campaign and occupation medals
|
| Spanish Campaign Medal
|
| West Indies Campaign Medal
|
| Spanish War Service Medal
|
| Army of Cuban Occupation Medal
|
| Army of Cuban Pacification Medal
|
| Army of Puerto Rican Occupation Medal
|
| Philippine-American War campaign medals
|
| Philippine Campaign Medal
|
| Philippine Congressional Medal
|
| Marksmanship
|
| Navy Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot Ribbon
|
| Navy Distinguished Marksman Ribbon
|
| Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon
|
|
| Ribbon/Award Name
|
| Navy & Marine Corps expedition medals (1920s and 1930s)
|
| Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1912)
|
| Dominican Campaign Medal
|
| Haitian Campaign Medal (1917)
|
| Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933)
|
| Haitian Campaign Medal (1921)
|
| Yangtze Service Medal
|
| World War I and Pre-WWI service medals
|
| Mexican Service Medal
|
| Mexican Border Service Medal
|
| World War I Victory Medal
|
| Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
|
| World War II and Pre-WWII service medals
|
| China Service Medal
|
| American Defense Service Medal
|
| Women's Army Corps Service Medal
|
| American Campaign Medal
|
| European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
|
| Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
|
| World War II Victory Medal
|
| Post World War II Service medals
|
| Medal for Humane Action
|
| Korean Service Medal
|
| Service and Training awards
|
| Naval Reserve Medal
|
| Fleet Marine Force Ribbon
|
| Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon
|
| Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon
|
|
Discontinued
The following decorations were designed for issuance with an approved medal, but were either never officially approved for presentation or were discontinued before a first award could be made.
| Ribbon/Award Name
|
| Personal decorations
|
| Distinguished Warfare Medal
|
| Combat service decorations
|
| Combat Recognition Ribbon
|
|
| Ribbon/Award Name
|
| General service decorations
|
| Cold War Victory Medal
|
|
Single service awards
Single service awards were official military decorations created as one time awards to recognize a single event. The first such single service award was issued during the Spanish American War by the Revenue Cutter Service to honor the heroic actions of the vessel USRC Hudson during the Battle of Cárdenas. The last single service was issued in 1960 when Congress authorized the awarding of the Four Chaplains' Medal recognizing the Four Chaplains who died together during World War II.[5] There have been no single service awards issued since by the U.S. military, mainly due to the decline and complications of awarding commemorative service medals.
| Ribbon/Award Name
|
| Personal valor decorations
|
| Four Chaplains' Medal
|
| Personal commemorative decorations
|
| Cardenas Medal of Honor
|
| NC-4 Medal
|
|
| Ribbon/Award Name
|
| Exploratory commemorative decorations
|
| Peary Polar Expedition Medal
|
| Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal
|
| Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal
|
|
Unofficial decorations
Unofficial decorations are those military awards created and issued by local commanders. In most cases, unofficial awards were designed to commemorate a specific battle or engagement of a commander's unit. The most well known unofficial awards were issued during the American Civil War. These include the Butler and Gillmore Medals as well as two awards issued by Philip Kearny, known respectively as the Kearny Medal and Kearny Cross.
After the Civil War, stricter military regulations prohibited local commanders from issuing awards and the practice had fallen into disuse by the 20th century. Even so, the Department of Defense has stated that large numbers of unofficial medals were privately issued to members of the Armed Forces of the United States for many years after the Civil War, mostly to commemorate specific battles, events, or as private veteran memorabilia.[6]
Foreign and international
Main articles: Authorized foreign decorations of the United States military & International military decoration authorized by the US military
Foreign and international decorations are authorized for wear on United States military uniforms by the Department of Defense in accordence with established regulations for the receipt of such awards as outlined by the State Department. In the case of foreign decorations, the awards may be divided into senior service decorations (awarded only to high ranking U.S. officers), heroic decorations for valor, and foreign service decorations.
There are hundreds of foreign and international awards which have been approved for issuance to United States miltiary personnel since World War I, the following being among the more common.
| Ribbon/Award Name
|
| First World War
|
| Legion of Honor (France)
|
| Order of the Bath (United Kingdom)
|
| Military Medal (France)
|
| Croix de guerre (France)
|
| Croix de guerre (Belgium)
|
| Czechoslovak War Cross (1918)
|
| Caribbean & Central America (1920s & 30s)
|
| Order of Abdon Calderón (Ecuador)
|
| Haiti)
|
| Nicaragua)
|
| Second World War (Europe)
|
| Croix de guerre (France)
|
| Croix de guerre (Belgium)
|
| Luxembourg War Cross
|
| Czechoslovak War Cross (1945)
|
| Luxembourg War Cross (Unit Citation)
|
| Second World War (Pacific)
|
| Philippine Defense Medal
|
| Philippine Liberation Medal
|
| Philippine Independence Medal
|
| Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines)
|
| Second World War (Senior Orders)
|
| Order of Adolphe of Nassau (Luxembourg)
|
| Order of the Aztec Eagle (Mexico)
|
| Order of the British Empire (United Kingdom)
|
| Order of the Crown (Belgium)
|
| Order of Leopold (Belgium)
|
| Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands)
|
| Order of Ouissam Alaouite (Morocco)
|
| Order of Pao Ting (China)
|
| Order of Virtuti Militari (Poland)
|
| Order of the White Eagle (Poland)
|
| Order of the White Eagle (Yugoslavia)
|
| Order of William (Netherlands)
|
| Korean War
|
| Korean War Service Medal
|
| United Nations Service Medal
|
| Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)
|
|
| Ribbon/Award Name
|
| Vietnam War
|
| Vietnam Distinguished Service Order (Army)
|
| Vietnam Distinguished Service Order (Navy)
|
| Vietnam Distinguished Service Order (Air Force)
|
| Vietnam Military Merit Medal
|
| Vietnam Gallantry Cross (Standard)
|
| Vietnam Gallantry Cross (Air)
|
| Vietnam Gallantry Cross (Navy)
|
| Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal
|
| Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
|
| Vietnam Staff Service Medal
|
| Vietnam Special Service Medal
|
| Vietnam Technical Service Medal
|
| Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
|
| Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
|
| Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation
|
| Persian Gulf War
|
| Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
|
| Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
|
| International Awards (20th Century)
|
| United Nations Medal
|
| Multinational Force and Observers Medal
|
| Inter-American Defense Board Medal
|
| NATO Medal (Yugoslavia)
|
| NATO Medal (Kosovo)
|
| 55px NATO Medal (Macedonia)
|
| Senior Military Awards (21st Century)
|
| Aeronautical Merit Cross (Peru)
|
| Cross of Honor (Germany)
|
| Bahrain
|
| United Arab Emirates)
|
| Order of the Crown of Thailand
|
| Order of the Date Palm (Iraq)
|
| Order of May (Argentina)
|
| Order of Merit (Germany)
|
| Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
|
| Order of National Security Merit (Korea)
|
| Order of the Rising Sun (Japan)
|
| Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil)
|
|
During the First and Second World Wars, the Croix de Guerre medals of France and Belgium, as well as the French Military Medal and Luxembourg War Cross, were further issued as unit citation cords, known as Fourragère. Service members could receive both the individual award and the unit cord; in the case of the later, the unit citation could either be worn temporarily while a member of the unit or permanently if the service member was present during the actual battle which warranted the unit citation. A further unit citation cord of the Order of William of the Netherlands was also issued during World War II, and was far more commonly known as the "Orange Lanyard".
As of 2002, the Republic of Korea has again issued the Korean Presidential Unit Citation to certain United States Marine Corps units, thus placing this previously obsolete foreign award back on the active order of precedence for U.S. decorations. Apart from this one decoration, most 21st century foreign military awards are reserved for only the most senior flag and general officers and then only presented as "end of tour" decorations upon transfer from a major command.
Devices
To display devices on World Heritage Encyclopedia pages, use Template:Ribbon devices.
For Further Reading
See also
References
External links
- Institute of Heraldry website
- U.S. Army Symbols and Insignia
- The Institute of Heraldry, U.S. Army
- U.S. Navy Service and Campaign Medals
- PDF format)
- Military Awards (U.S. Army) (in PDF format)
- Search Awards & Decorations for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, & Coast Guard
- Americal Division Veterans Association
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| | Africa | |
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| | Americas | |
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| | Asia | |
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| | Europe | |
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| | Oceania | |
|---|
|
|
|---|
| | Federal military decorations |
- Medal of Honor
- Silver Star Medal
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Bronze Star Medal
- Purple Heart
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Medal
|
|---|
| | DoD decorations |
- Defense Distinguished Service
- Defense Superior Service
- Defense Meritorious Service
- Joint Service Commendation
- Joint Service Achievement
- Joint Meritorious Unit
|
|---|
| | Federal service medals |
- National Defense Service Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Outstanding Volunteer Service
- Armed Forces Service Medal
- Armed Forces Reserve
- Prisoner of War
- Antarctica Service
- Korean Service
- Korea Defense Service
- Vietnam Service
- Southwest Asia Service
- Kosovo Campaign
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
| | Decorations |
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Soldier's Medal
- Army Commendation
- Army Achievement
|
|---|
| | Good conduct |
- Army Good Conduct
- Reserve Achievement
|
|---|
| | Unit awards |
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Valorous Unit
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Superior Unit
|
|---|
| | Service ribbons |
- Sea Duty
- NCO Professional Development
- Army Service
- Overseas Service
- Reserve Overseas Training
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
| | Meritorious medals |
- Navy Cross
- Navy Distinguished Service
- Navy and Marine Corps Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement
|
|---|
| | Expeditionary medals |
- Navy Expeditionary
- Marine Corps Expeditionary
|
|---|
| | Good Conduct medals |
- Navy Good Conduct
- Marine Corps Good Conduct
- Naval Reserve Meritorious Service
- Selected Marine Corps Reserve
|
|---|
| | Unit awards |
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Navy Unit Commendation
- Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Navy E Ribbon
|
|---|
| | Ribbons |
- Combat Action
- Overseas Service
- Sea Service
- Arctic Service
- Navy Recruiting Service
- Marine Corps Recruiting Service
- Navy Recruit Training Service
- Marine Corps Drill Instructor
- Marine Corps Security Guard
- Navy Ceremonial Duty
|
|---|
| | Marksmanship |
- Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
- Navy Sharpshooter Rifle Ribbon
- Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon
- Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
- Navy Sharpshooter Pistol Shot Medal
- Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
| | Decorations |
- Air Force Cross
- Air Force Distinguished Service
- Airman's Medal
- Aerial Achievement
- Air Force Commendation
- Air Force Achievement
|
|---|
| | Service medals |
- Air Force Combat Action
- Combat Readiness
- Good Conduct
- Air and Space Campaign
|
|---|
| | Unit awards |
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Gallant Unit Citation
- Air Force Meritorious Unit
- Outstanding Unit
- Organizational Excellence
|
|---|
| | Service ribbons |
- Outstanding Airman of the Year
- Air Force Recognition
- Overseas Service Short Tour
- Overseas Service Long Tour
- Air Force Expeditionary Service
- Air Force Longevity
- Military Training Instructor
- Air Force Recruiter
- NCO PME Graduate
- Basic Training Honor Graduate
- Marksmanship
|
|---|
|
|
|---|
| | Decorations |
- Coast Guard Cross
- Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
- Coast Guard Medal
- Commendation Medal
- Achievement Medal
- Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon
|
|---|
| | Lifesaving Medals |
- Gold Lifesaving Medal
- Silver Lifesaving Medal
|
|---|
| | Unit Awards |
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Coast Guard Unit Commendation
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Meritorious Team Commendation
|
|---|
| | Conduct Medals |
- Good Conduct Medal
- Reserve Good Conduct Medal
|
|---|
| | Service Awards |
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon
- Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal
- Special Operations Service Ribbon
- Sea Service Ribbon
- Restricted Duty Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon
- Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
- Recruiting Service Ribbon
|
|---|
| | Marksmanship |
- Distinguished Marksman Ribbon
- Silver Excellence in Competition Rifle Ribbon
- Bronze Excellence in Competition Rifle Ribbon
- Expert Rifle Ribbon
- Sharpshooter Rifle Ribbon
- Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon
- Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon
- Silver Pistol Excellence in Competition Ribbon
- Bronze Pistol Excellence in Competition Ribbon
- Expert Pistol Ribbon
- Sharpshooter Pistol Ribbon
- Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
|
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|
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