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Awards and decorations of the United States military



 
 
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decoration
Military decoration

A military decoration is a state decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
s which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces. Together with military badges
Military badges of the United States

Military badges of the United States are awards authorized by the United States armed forces that signify rating, qualification, or accomplishment in several career fields, and also serve as identification devices for personnel occupying certain assignments....
, such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.

e each service has its own order of precedence, the following general rules apply to all services:

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    Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decoration
    Military decoration

    A military decoration is a state decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
    s which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces. Together with military badges
    Military badges of the United States

    Military badges of the United States are awards authorized by the United States armed forces that signify rating, qualification, or accomplishment in several career fields, and also serve as identification devices for personnel occupying certain assignments....
    , 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:

    1. U.S. military personal decorations
    2. U.S. military unit awards
    3. U.S. non-military personal decorations
      Awards and decorations of the United States government

      Awards and decorations of the United States government are Civilian decorations of the United States of the Federal government of the United States which are typically issued for sustained meritorious service, in a civilian capacity, while serving in the U.S....
        (After unit awards in order of receipt; if from the same agency, the applicable agency precedence listing should be consulted)
    4. U.S. non-military unit awards
      Awards and decorations of the United States government

      Awards and decorations of the United States government are Civilian decorations of the United States of the Federal government of the United States which are typically issued for sustained meritorious service, in a civilian capacity, while serving in the U.S....
    5. U.S. military campaign awards
    6. U.S. military service and training awards
    7. U.S. Merchant Marine awards and non-military service awards
    8. Foreign military personal decorations
    9. Foreign military unit awards
    10. Non-U.S. service awards (e.g., United Nations, NATO)
    11. Foreign military service awards
    12. Marksmanship awards (Navy and Coast Guard)
    13. State awards of the National Guard
      Awards and decorations of the National Guard

      Awards and decorations of the National Guard are presented to members of the United States National Guard and sometimes to members of the State Defense Forces in addition to regular Awards and decorations of the United States militarys....
       (Army & Air Force)


    • Unit awards are worn on the right side in the U.S. Army.


    Active United States medals and ribbons


    By order of precedence

    |- | valign="top" width="50%" |
    |- !Ribbon/Award Name |- bgcolor = "#ccccff" align=center |Personal decorations |- |  Medal of Honor
    Medal of Honor

    The Medal of Honor is the highest Awards and decorations of the United States military awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action...
      Awarded for "Gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty". |- |
    Service Cross medals. Awarded for "Extraordinary heroism"
      Army Distinguished Service Cross

      Navy Cross
    Navy Cross

    The Navy Cross is the highest medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for wiktionary:valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard but could be awarded to all branches of United States military as well as mem...


      Air Force Cross
    Air Force Cross (United States)

    The Air Force Cross is the second highest Awards and decorations of the United States military that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force....
    |- |
    Distinguished Service medals
      Defense Distinguished Service Medal
    Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a Awards and decorations of the United States military which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States....


      Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
    Distinguished Service Medal (Army)

    The Distinguished Service Medal is a Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility....


      Navy Distinguished Service Medal
    Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919....


      Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
    Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel....


      Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
    Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal

    The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Coast Guard which was created in August 1949 by order of the United States Congress....
    |- |  Silver Star
    Silver Star

    The Silver Star is the third highest Awards and decorations of the United States military that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces....
     Awarded for "Gallantry in action" |- |  Defense Superior Service Medal
    Defense Superior Service Medal

    The Defense Superior Service Medal of the United States is a senior decoration of the United States Department of Defense. It is awarded to members of the United States military who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
    |- |  Legion of Merit
    Legion of Merit

    The Legion of Merit is a Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements....
    |- |  Distinguished Flying Cross
    Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)

    File:Odierno presents DFCs army mil-2007-11-14-093424.jpgThe Distinguished Flying Cross is a Inter-service decorations of the United States military awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while particip...
    |- |
    Medals for heroism
      Soldier's Medal
    Soldier's Medal

    The Soldier's Medal is a Awards and decorations of the United States Army of the United States Army. It was introduced by a law passed by Congress of the United States on July 2, 1926....


      Navy and Marine Corps Medal
    Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the second highest non-combatant medal awarded by the United States Department of the Navy to members of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps....


      Airman's Medal
    Airman's Medal

    The Airman?s Medal is a Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States Air Force and is awarded to those service members who distinguish themselves by heroic actions, usually at the voluntary risk of life, but not involving actual combat....


      Coast Guard Medal
    Coast Guard Medal

    The Coast Guard Medal is a decoration of the United States military which is awarded to any service member who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Coast Guard, distinguishes themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy....
    |- |  Gold Lifesaving Medal
    Lifesaving Medal

    The Lifesaving Medal is a civil and Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States Coast Guard which was first established by Act of Congress, 20 June 1874; later authorized by Title 14 of the United States Code Section 500-501 ....
    |- |  Bronze Star
    Bronze Star Medal

    The Bronze Star Medal is a Military of the United States individual Awards and decorations of the United States military which may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service....
    |- |  Purple Heart
    Purple Heart

    The Purple Heart is a United States Awards and decorations of the United States military awarded in the name of the President of the United States to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the Military of the United States....
    |- |  Defense Meritorious Service Medal
    Defense Meritorious Service Medal

    The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense....
    |- |  Meritorious Service Medal
    Meritorious Service Medal (United States)

    The Meritorious Service Medal is a Awards and decorations of the United States military presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969....
    |- |  Air Medal
    Air Medal

    The Air Medal is a Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States which was established by Executive Order 9158, signed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, on May 11, 1942....
    |- |  Silver Lifesaving Medal
    Lifesaving Medal

    The Lifesaving Medal is a civil and Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States Coast Guard which was first established by Act of Congress, 20 June 1874; later authorized by Title 14 of the United States Code Section 500-501 ....


      Aerial Achievement Medal
    Aerial Achievement Medal

    The Aerial Achievement Medal is a decoration of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1988. The decoration is intended to recognize the contributions of aircrew members who would, otherwise, not be qualified for the award of the Air Medal....
    |- |
    Commendation medals
      Joint Service Commendation Medal
    Commendation Medal

    The Commendation Medal is a mid-level Awards and decorations of the United States military which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service....


      Army Commendation Medal
    Commendation Medal

    The Commendation Medal is a mid-level Awards and decorations of the United States military which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service....


      Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
    Commendation Medal

    The Commendation Medal is a mid-level Awards and decorations of the United States military which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service....


      Air Force Commendation Medal
    Commendation Medal

    The Commendation Medal is a mid-level Awards and decorations of the United States military which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service....


      Coast Guard Commendation Medal
    Commendation Medal

    The Commendation Medal is a mid-level Awards and decorations of the United States military which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service....
    |- |
    Achievement medals
      Joint Service Achievement Medal
    Achievement Medal

    The Achievement Medal is a military Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal ....


      Army Achievement Medal
    Achievement Medal

    The Achievement Medal is a military Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal ....


      Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
    Achievement Medal

    The Achievement Medal is a military Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal ....


      Air Force Achievement Medal
    Achievement Medal

    The Achievement Medal is a military Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal ....


      Coast Guard Achievement Medal
    Achievement Medal

    The Achievement Medal is a military Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal ....
    |- |  Commandant's Letter of Commendation
    Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon

    The Commandant?s Letter of Commendation Ribbon is the highest personal ribbon award of the United States Coast Guard. The decoration was established in March 1979 by Admiral John B....
    |- |  Combat Action Ribbon
    Combat Action Ribbon

    The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal Awards and decorations of the United States military of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy , have actively participated in ground or surface combat....


      Air Force Combat Action Medal
    Air Force Combat Action Medal

    The Air Force Combat Action Medal is a relatively new Awards and decorations of the United States Air Force issued by the United States Air Force....
    |- bgcolor = "#ccccff" align=center |Unit Awards |- |
    Presidential Unit Citation


      Army & Air Force Presidential Unit Citation

    Navypres
      Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation

      Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation |- |  Joint Meritorious Unit Award
    Joint Meritorious Unit Award

    The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a Inter-service decorations of the United States military that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by United States Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982....


      Army Valorous Unit Award
    Valorous Unit Award

    The Valorous Unit Award is the second highest unit decoration which may be bestowed upon a U.S. Army unit and is considered the unit equivalent of the Silver Star....


      Navy Unit Commendation
    Navy Unit Commendation

    The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944....


      Air Force Gallant Unit Citation
    Gallant Unit Citation

    Award DescriptionThe Gallant Unit Citation was approved in March 2004 and is awarded to any Air Force unit which distinguishes itself by extraordinary heroism while engaged in armed combat with an enemy force on or after 11 September 2001....


      Coast Guard Unit Commendation
    Coast Guard Unit Commendation

    The Coast Guard Unit Commendation is the highest peacetime unit award which may be awarded to military commands of the United States Coast Guard....
    |- |
    Meritorious Unit Commendation
      Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
    Meritorious Unit Commendation

    The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....


      Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
    Meritorious Unit Commendation

    The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....


      Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
    Meritorious Unit Commendation

    The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....


      Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation
    Meritorious Unit Commendation

    The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
    |- |  Army Superior Unit Award
    Superior Unit Award

    The Superior Unit Award is a decoration of the United States Army which is awarded in peacetime to any unit of the Army which displays outstanding meritorious performance of a difficult and challenging mission carried out under extraordinary circumstances....


      Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
    Outstanding Unit Award

    The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is a Awards and decorations of the United States Air Force of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1954....


      Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation
    Meritorious Team Commendation

    The Meritorious Team Commendation is the second lowest unit award of the United States Coast Guard. Created in December 1993, the Meritorious Team Commendation is awarded to lower echelon Coast Guard commands who perform exceptional actions which would normally warrant a Commandant's Letter of Commendation....
    |- |
    Efficiency Award