Service ribbons, ribbon devices, and badge awards displayed on a U.S. Navy service uniform
The United States Armed Forces awards and decorations are primarily the medals, service ribbons, and specific badges which recognize military service and personal accomplishments while a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.
2U.S. military, awards currently issued to service members
4U.S. military, inactive and obsolete awards
Order of precedence[edit]
While each service has its own order of precedence, the following general rules typically apply to all services:
U.S. military personal decorations
U.S. military unit awards[1a][1b]
U.S. non-military personal decorations (in order of receipt; if two or more from the same agency, the applicable agency precedence listing should be consulted)[2]
Presidential awards (i.e., Presidential Medal of Freedom, Presidential Citizen’s Medal)
National Medals (i.e., National Security Medal, National Science Medal, Gold Lifesaving Medal, Silver Lifesaving Medal)
DoD and JCS Distinguished Service awards
Agency-specific Distinguished Service awards
Agency-specific Superior Service awards
Agency-specific Meritorious (or Exceptional) Service awards
Agency-specific Commendation awards
Agency-specific Achievement awards
Civilian unit awards
Civilian service awards
U.S. non-military unit awards[3]
U.S. military campaign and service medals
U.S. military service and training awards (ribbon-only awards)[4][3a]
U.S. Merchant Marine awards and non-military service awards
Foreign military personal decorations (in order of receipt; if two or more from the same country, the applicable country precedence listing should be consulted)
Foreign military unit awards[1]
Non-U.S. service awards (e.g., United Nations, NATO, etc.)
Foreign military service awards[4]
Marksmanship awards (Air Force,[3a] Navy & Coast Guard)[3b]
Awards of U.S. military societies and other organizations6a6b
State awards of the National Guard (Army & Air Force only)
Notes on branch-specific exceptions to the above:
1a In the Army, unit awards (any type) are worn as a separate grouping, on the right side of the uniform, with and without frames, are worn in the order of precedence from the wearer’s right to left.
1b In the Navy, unit award ribbons are only worn on the right side of the uniform, when wearing full medals on the left side. Arrange ribbons in order of precedence in rows from top down, inboard to outboard; this reverses the order of ribbons (as compared to when placed inline with other awards on the left side). For U.S. Navy, the USPHS unit awards are considered (military) unit awards. However, if Navy personnel are also awarded USPHS personal decorations (e.g., USPHS Distinguished Service Medal), then the USPHS order of precedence would apply.
2 Some awards, despite being ribbon-only, are higher in precedence. The Navy & Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbons and the Coast Guard's Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon are included with personal decorations, while two Air Force ribbon-only awards (the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon & the Air Force Recognition Ribbon) and the Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon are considered in the same category as service medals.
3a Marksmanship Awards in the Air Force are considered training awards. 3b The Army and Marine Corps issue Marksmanship Qualification Badges instead of Marksmanship awards.
4 For Navy, Merchant Marine awards are considered U.S. non-military awards.
5 The obsolete Philippine Commonwealth service awards (Philippine Defense, Liberation, & Independence Medals), when still listed in the order of precedence, come before the United Nations medals (Army & Marine Corps[1]) or before the Merchant Marine awards (Air Force).
6a For Navy, medals and ribbons from military societies, such as the Army and Navy Union of the United States, worn in the order earned may be worn after marksmanship awards. Medals, ribbons and badges issued by these societies may be worn only while actually attending meetings or conventions or while participating in parades or other ceremonies as a member of these organizations.
6b For Army, no allowance of military society medals or ribbons is prescribed; however, badges are authorized. More specifically, badges of the Army and Navy Union of the United States of America are authorized for such active duty ANU members without further restriction. Badges of other civic and quasi-military societies of the United States, and international organizations of a military nature may also be worn with restrictions. These include badges of organizations originally composed of members who served in a U.S. force during the Revolutionary War; the War of 1812; the Mexican War; the Civil War; the Spanish–American War; the Philippine Insurrection; and the Chinese Relief Expedition of 1900. The badges are worn only while the wearer is actually attending meetings or functions of such organizations, or on occasions of ceremony. Personnel will not wear these badges to and from such meetings or events.
U.S. military, awards currently issued to service members[edit]
Order of precedence[edit]
Notes: Precedence of particular awards will vary slightly among the different branches of service. All awards and decorations may be awarded to any service member unless otherwise designated by name or notation.[2]
Ribbon/award name[3]
Personal decorations
Awarded for 'gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty'
Medal of Honor
Service cross medals - Awarded for 'extraordinary heroism'
Distinguished Service Cross (Army)
Navy Cross
Air Force Cross
Coast Guard Cross
Distinguished service medals - Awarded for 'distinguished service'
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded for 'gallantry in action'
Silver Star Medal
Awarded for 'superior or exceptionally meritorious service'
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Awarded for 'heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight'
Distinguished Flying Cross
Medals for non-combat heroism
Soldier's Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Airman's Medal
Coast Guard Medal
Awarded for heroism in combat zone or meritorious service in a war zone
Bronze Star Medal
Awarded for wounds suffered in combatPH
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service and Aviation 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
Combat Action awards
Navy Combat Action Ribbon
Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Also see: Army combat badges
Unit awards
Presidential Unit Citations
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force 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
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
Combat Readiness Medal (Air Force)
Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon
Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
Reserve service medals
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal
Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Expeditionary medals
Navy Expeditionary Medal
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
Continued on right column
Ribbon/award name[3]
Campaign and service medals (cont.)
General service medals
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Special service medals
Antarctica Service Medal
Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal
Air and Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Campaign and Expeditionary / Conflict Service Medals
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Service and training awards
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon
Army Sea Duty Ribbon
Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Navy Arctic Service Ribbon
Overseas service ribbons
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon
Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon
Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
Longevity ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Recruiting service and training service ribbons
Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon
Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon
Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon
Navy Accession Training Service Ribbon
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon
Marine Corps Combat Instructor Ribbon
Air Force Special Duty 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
Basic training honor graduate ribbons
Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Coast Guard Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Navy Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Training ribbons
Army Service Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Marksmanship awards[4][5][6]
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Rifle
Coast Guard Distinguished Marksman Award
Coast Guard Silver Rifle Excellence-in-Competition Award
Coast Guard Bronze Rifle Excellence-in-Competition Award
Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
Coast Guard Expert Rifleman Medal
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
Coast Guard Distinguished Pistol Shot Award
Coast Guard Silver Pistol Excellence-in-Competition Award
Coast Guard Bronze Pistol Excellence-in-Competition Award
Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Coast Guard Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device
Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device
Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
Note: ^ The precedence of the Purple Heart was immediately before the Good Conduct Medals until changed to its current precedence in 1985.
Military departments[edit]
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[edit]
U.S. military, inactive and obsolete awards[edit]
U.S. military personnel having received these awards have either been discharged or retired for a substantial length of time and/or are deceased (with the exception of the Fleet Marine Force Ribbon and the military awards of the DoT).
Ribbon/award name
Personal decorations
Certificate of Merit Medal
Marine Corps Brevet Medal
Specially Meritorious Service Medal
Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon
Army Wound Ribbon
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
West Indies Naval Campaign Medal (Sampson Medal)
Battle of Manila Bay 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
Cuban Pacification Medal (Army)
Cuban Pacification Medal (Navy)
Army of Puerto Rican Occupation Medal
Philippine–American War campaign medals
Philippine Campaign Medal
Philippine Congressional Medal
Ribbon/award name
Navy & Marine Corps expedition medals
Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1912)
Dominican Campaign Medal (1916)
Haitian Campaign Medal (1915 & 1920-1921)
Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1926-1930)
Yangtze Service Medal
World War I and Pre-World War I service medals
Mexican Service Medal (1911-1917)
Mexican Border Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
World War II and Pre-World War II service medals
China Service Medal
American Defense Service Medal
Women's Army Corps Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Post World War II, Cold War Service, Occupation Medals
Medal for Humane Action
Army of Occupation Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Middle Eastern & Modern Conflicts / Wars
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Service and training awards
Naval Reserve Medal
Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon
Fleet Marine Force Ribbon
Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Military Training Instructor Ribbon
Air Force Recruiter Ribbon
Marksmanship
Navy Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot Ribbon
Navy Distinguished Marksman Ribbon
Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon
Discontinued or proposed[edit]
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 award
Cold War Victory Medal
Single service awards[edit]
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 actions of the vessel USRC Hudson during the Battle of Cárdenas. The last single service award 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.[7] 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[edit]
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.
Ribbon/award name
Civil War decorations
Kearny Cross
Kearny Medal
Butler Medal
Gillmore Medal
Ribbon/award name
Research decorations
Walter Reed Medal
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.[8] One of the more well known is the Walter Reed Medal (recognized today as a Congressional Gold Medal), awarded for exploratory scientific achievement in the field of malaria treatment. While presented as a gold medallion, members of the military were reported to wear a red ribbon on their uniforms to denote the decoration.
Foreign and international awards[edit]
Foreign and international decorations are authorized for wear on United States military uniforms by the Department of Defense in accordance 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 military personnel since World War I, the following being among the more common.
Ribbon/award name
World War I
French Legion of Honor
British Order of the Bath
French Military Medal
French Croix de guerre
Belgian Croix de guerre
Czechoslovak War Cross (1918)
Caribbean & Central America (1920s & 1930s)
Order of Abdon Calderón (Ecuador)
Military Merit Medal (Haiti)
Medal of Merit (Nicaragua)
World War II (Europe)
French Croix de guerre
Belgian Croix de guerre
Luxembourg War Cross
Czechoslovak War Cross (1945)
Luxembourg War Cross (Unit Citation)
World War II (Pacific)
Philippine Defense Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal
Philippine Independence Medal
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
World War II (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 - South Korea and the United Nations
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Ribbon/award name
Vietnam War - Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
RVN Army Distinguished Service Order
RVN Navy Distinguished Service Order
RVN Air Force Distinguished Service Order
RVN Military Merit Medal
RVN Gallantry Cross (with Palm)
RVN Air Gallantry Cross
RVN Navy Gallantry Cross
RVN Armed Forces Honor Medal
RVN Civil Actions Medal (1st class)
RVN Staff Service Medal
RVN Special Service Medal
RVN Training Service Medal
RVN Presidential Unit Citation
RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm and frame
RVN Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation with palm and frame (1st class)
RVN Campaign Medal with 1960- device
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)
NATO Medal (Non-Article 5)
Senior Military Awards (21st Century)
Aeronautical Merit Cross (Peru)
Cross of Honor (Germany)
Khalifiyyeh Order of Bahrain
Military Merit Order (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, South Korea has again issued the Korean Presidential Unit Citation to certain units of the United States Marine Corps, 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.
See also[edit]
To display devices on Wikipedia pages, use Template:Ribbon devices.
Awards and decorations of the United States government
^'NUMBER 1348.33, Volume 3'(PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. United States Department of Defense. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
^ abhttp://www.homeofheroes.com/medals/1_precedence.html Retrieved 24 February 2008.
^OPNAVINST 3591.1F, SMALL ARMS TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONArchived 22 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Chief of Naval Operations, dated 12 August 2009, last accessed 5 May 2013
^'COMDTINST M1650.25D, Medals and Awards Manual, U.S. Coast Guard, dated May 2008, last accessed 5 May 2013'(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 27 December 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
^U.S. Coast Guard Uniform Regulations, dated March 2012, last accessed 5 May 2013
^'The Institute of Heraldry – Army Chaplain Medal of Valor'. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
^Price, James S. (2011). The Battle of New Market Heights: freedom Will Be Theirs by the Sword. Charleston, SC: The History Press. p. 87. ISBN978-1-60949-038-6.
Further reading[edit]
Foster, Frank C. (2002). A complete guide to all United States military medals, 1939 to present. Fountain Inn, S.C.: MOA Press. ISBN1-884-45218-3. OCLC54755134.
Kerrigan, Evans E. (1971). American war medals and decorations. New York: Viking Press. ISBN0-670-12101-0. OCLC128058.
Order Of Precedence Us Army Qualification Badges List
Kerrigan, Evans E. (1990). American medals and decorations. Noroton Heights, CT: Medallic. ISBN0-792-45082-5. OCLC21467942.
Robles, Philip K. (1971). United States military medals and ribbons. Rutland, VT: C. E. Tuttle. ISBN0-804-80048-0. OCLC199721.
External links[edit]
Decorations and Medals - Ribbons - Order of Precedence at the Institute of Heraldry website
Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia (in PDF format)
Military Awards (U.S. Army) (in PDF format)
SGM (USA, Ret.) Gregory A. Noller (1995). 'ADVA Army Awards'. Americal Division Veterans Association. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Awards_and_decorations_of_the_United_States_Armed_Forces&oldid=904494597'
The CAB and CIB are class one badges and are of higherprecedence than any other badges.
Can a combat action badge be worn with a combat medic badge?
Yes you can. The combat medic badge is a category 2 badge while the combat action ribbon is category 1.
When was Combat Action Badge created?
Can you wear your combat infantry badge together with your combat action badge?
What army regulation state that the combat medic authorized to received a combat action badge?
Medics cannot receive CABs (Combat Action Badge). Instead, they receive the CMB (Combat Medical Badge) for treating wounded soldiers in a combat situation.
Can you wear the combat action badge on class a uniform?
Yes. If you have earned the Combat Action Badge (CAB) you can wear it on your Class A uniform.
Can you wear both the combat action badge and the combat infrantry badge on the acu uniform?
Where do you wear combat action badge on acu's?
You wear a combat action badge centered 1/8th of inch above the left side of the nametape.
Does a corpsman treating a patient in a combat zone rate a combat action ribbon?
If he's under fire, yes. The Army has a special case: if a medic assigned to an infantry unit treats a patient under enemy action, he will receive the Combat Medical Badge rather than the Combat Action Badge. Medics in non-infantry units will receive the Combat Action Badge.
Where do you wear the combat action badge on army ASU?
The combat action badge are worn with 'Class A' Army green, blue or white uniform coats. You must wear that uniform when wearing the badge.
Can i wear the combat medical badge and combat action badge on my acu's together?
yes, you are authorized to wear the CAB and CMB together.
Where do you wear the combat action badge on the Army combat uniform?
On your left breast, above the U.S. Army Tag. Same place as a CIB (combat infantry badge), or EIB (expert infantry badge).
Who has received the Combat Action Badge?
Anyone who is fired upon and/or returns fire. Specifically, as the citation reads, 'engages or is engaged by the enemy.' Those eligible for the Combat Infantry Badge or the Combat Medical Badge are ineligible.
Where do you place a combat action badge on army class a uniform?
The Combat Action Badge is worn 1/4 inch above any service ribbons on the left side and is centered on the ribbons.
Is there a list of people who received the combat action ribbon or combat action badge from 2003 to present?
Can you wear a combat action badge on dress blue uniform?
Yes, you are authorized to wear the combat action badge on the dress blue uniform. It is worn 1/4 inch above your ribbons and centered.
Combat action ribbon from the marines you are in the army now and have combat action badge do you wear a star on the cab or wear the cab and the car?
Whatever badge/ribbon you are awarded, you rate to wear it, no matter what branch of service you are in.
How do you wear air assault and combat action badge together?
the badges go above the us. army nametape. the one closest to the nametape will be the air assault badge 1/8 inch apart from the nametape. then above that 1/4 inch apart from the air assault badge will be the combat action badge.the combat action badge is the more important of the two so it is on top. Everything can be found in AR 670-1.
Can you wear the combat action badge and the combat medic badge on acus?
Yes, and we were able to do the same with the BDU/DCU uniforms (once the CAB came into existence). The CAB is a Category 1 badge, whereas the CMB is a Category 2 badge.
If you switch from Army to Air Force can you wear the Combat Action Badge?
Combat action badge placement on class a?
How is the combat action badge sewed onto acu's?
Combat action ribbon you are now in the Army can you wear the combat action badge?
you can wear any ribbon or combat/action award that is ON your record. Check your records to see what you have been awarded. If the question is 'if you have earned the Combat Action Ribbon in the Navy/Marine Corps, can you change it to the Combat Action Badge when you change over to the Army?' the answer is No. You may continue to wear the Combat Action Ribbon on your Army uniform, but you may… Read More
How do you wear airborne wings and combat action badge on ACU's?
How do you transfer the combat action ribbon for the combat action badge?
Why would you want to? The CAR means more to a Marine, and hold the equiv of an Army CIB. Also, you can NOT transfer a CAR to a CIB.
Where do you wear air born and combat action badge on the army combat uniform?
cib and airborne badge on the left side of acu or green dress cente at middle and above left breast (pocket of the uniform)
Where do you wear the combat action badge on army combat uniform?
Centered above the branch tape, 1/8th inch. May be pinned or sewn.
Could a Marine attached to an Army infantry unit during combat operations wear the Combat Infantryman Badge?
No. They would receive a Combat Action Ribbon. If ever they transferred to the Army, then they'd be eligible to wear the CIB or CAB in lieu of their Combat Action Ribbon.
What are the different qualifying periods for the combat action badge?
Where does the combat action badge go on the dress blues uniform?
The location is as shown on the chart at the related link below.
How do you wear a combat action badge a marksman badge and a parachutist badge?
There are two ways. Most male soldiers wear the parachutist badge 1/8' above the ribbons, the combat badge 1/8' above the parachutist badge and the marksman badge centered on the pocket flap, 1/8 below the top of the flap. The other way to wear it is to put the combat badge 1/8' above the ribbons and the other two badges on the pocket flap, evenly spaced across the flap and 1/8' below the top of… Read More
How far above the US Army tape is the Combat Action Badge placed?
JUST GOOGLE 'US ARMY BADGE PLACEMENTS' AND THAT SHOULD SEND YOU TO SITE THAT WILL GIVE THE ANSWER AND MORE!
Can you wear Combat Action Badge if you are in the Air Force?
Depends. If you are in the Air Force when the incident happened, then you wear the Air Force Combat Action medal. If you earned the CAB in the Army and later transfered to the Air Force, you can wear it.
Where do you wear the combat action badge on army dress greens?
According to the current AR 670-1, (Feb 3rd, 2005 w/ Summary of Change) on pg 298, you wear the CAB, (Combat Action Badge) 1/4 inch above your ribbons, centered, or if the lapel covers your badge, you wear the CAB so the left edge is aligned to the left edge of the ribbons.
Did World War 2 Artillerymen qualify for the Combat Infantry Badge?
No. My dad was an artilleryman and a forward observer assigned to an infantry division. Even though he went out on patrols with the infantry, he was not qualified for the Combat Infantryman's Badge. Only soldiers who had a rating as an infantryman could earn the CIB. Medics were eventually issued a medic badge, but the artilleryman never got a badge. As a side-note, artillery spotters would be flown on in light aircraft to observe… Read More
Where do you wear the combat badge pin on dress blues?
Combat Service Identification Badge Center combat service identification badge on the right side, parallel to the waistline of the coat for women. Up higher for the men.
Can you wear and Expert Infantry Badge and a Combat Action Badge on dress Blues?
No. You can only wear one Category 1 badge on any uniform, which both the EIB and CAB are. You could wear it with an EFMB or CMB (which are Category 2), but not with an EIB or CIB.
Can you wear a Combat Medical Badge on a Coast Guard Uniform?
No. It's not transferable. You MIGHT be able to fill out some paperwork and have the Navy Combat Action Ribbon awarded as an equivalent (which can be worn on a CG uniform), however.
Can you still wear army ranger or special forces tab after transfer to other mos?
So long as you have earned them, yes. The President's Hundred tab, Special Forces tab, Ranger tab, Combat Infantryman/Combat Medic/Combat Action badge, parachutist wings, Air Assault wings, scuba qualification badge, Pathfinder badge, etc. are individual awards which can be worn by a soldier who has earned them, regardless of if they change units or MOS.
Is Rifleman 745 eligible for Combat Infrantryman Badge?
I think in order to be eligible for Combat infantryman Badge you would have to have been in combat and your immediate commanding officer would have to request that you receive the CIB. Not real sure but you can find out a lot on Google.. There is also an Infantrymans Badge.
Why was Sergeant Robert McCorkle awarded the Combat Action Badge?
SGT robert McCorkle was awarded the United States Army Combat Action bade for actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy. IED blast on 22 NOV 08. Operations in Iraq from OCT of 2008-SEP of 2009.
How do you place the air assault badge with the Combat infantry Badge and Marksmanship badge on the class A uniform?
On the left breast pocket on the left marksman badge goes on the right
Can you wear the parachutist badge between the driver's badge and the sharpshooter's badge And if so can you wear it in a pyramid style wings higher than badges?
No, you cannot. The Parachutist badge is a Group 4 award, and has a higher level of precedence than Group 5 awards such as the Driver and Mechanic badge. Thus, it will always be worn above the Driver and Mechanic Badge.
Can you wear a combat action badge below aviation wings?
No. CAB is one of only three Category 1 badges (EIB and CIB are the other two). Being a higher category badge than any others, they are always worn above any other badges.
Wear combat action badge airborne wing and air assault wings on class a?
Correction on the 'name tape'.. It's above your ribbons 1/8in then 1/4in from the air assault wings.
Where do you wear a Combat Action Badge on acus?
Above the (wearer's) left breast pocket, space 1/4 inch above the seam of the pocket, or above any other badges being worn.
Can an army medic wear the combat action badge?
Yes. Unlike the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Combat Action Badge - which are Group I awards - the Combat Medic and Expert Field Medic Badges are Group II awards. The CAB was intended for personnel who are not eligible for the Combat Infantryman Badge. Contrary to what was previously stated, not everyone who serves in an Infantry unit is eligible for a CIB. A Combat Medic in an Infantry unit does not… Read More
Order Of Precedence Us Army Qualification Badges Regulation
Can you wear the Expert Infantry Badge and the Combat Infantry Badge together?
No. Army Regulation 670-1 forbids it. They are in the same class of awards.
Can air force enlisted men assigned to the army receive the combat infantry badge?
No, it's not an authorised Air Force award, and they wouldn't qualify for it anyhow, as the awarding of the CIB is pretty much restricted to infantry soldiers. The equivalent Air Force award is their own Combat Action Medal.
Do soldiers receive medals after fighting a battle?
The short answer is yes. Longer answer is that the Soldier will receive medals for being wounded(Purple Heart), or serving in a campaign(Iraq Campaign medal). Soldiers may also receive badges (Combat Infantry or Combat Action Badge) for engaging with enemy forces.
Are Desert Storm vet authorize to wear the combat action badge?
If they've got orders for it, yes. Nothing can be worn without either VOCO or written orders. VOCO=Verbal Orders from the Commanding Officer.
•••Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
Being given a military medal is one of the highest honors an individual can receive. There are many medals that people can have bestowed upon them. It is illegal to try to replicate or sell medals that an individual receives from the military. Due to the honors associated with military medals, there is a proper way to display them.
Displaying a Medal of Honor
Military medals can be received by those who have served in a branch of the military or by their surviving family members. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration and is one of two neck-order awards. Recipients of these awards have distinguished themselves with extreme gallantry while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States. These awards should be displayed in a glass wooden case that is able to support and show the entire neck medal.
Maintaining Proper Order of Display
Members of all branches of the military are eligible to receive medals. The military medals have varied in designs over the years but the order and way of display has remained consistent.
If you have several military medals, you should obtain a medal chart from the U.S. Defense Department. These charts are available from the personnel branch and can be mailed to you. The charts will outline how you should display your medals. For example, some medals should be displayed so that the medals increase in honor from left to right, with the lowest honor awards on the left and the highest honors to the right. To learn more about arranging your awards, you can to go to the main website of the Defense Department and call the contact numbers provided.
It is important to follow the order of how to place your military medals. This proper displays shows respect for that branch of military and the hard work put forth by those who serve and protect our country.
Mounting Your Medals
Most military medals have mounting pins on the back of them. Once you have your military medal chart, you can use it to arrange your medals and place them in a wood-backed, glass-covered case that is large enough to hold them all. You can search the Internet or look around your community for companies that specialize in selling military-medal display cases.
About the Author
Based in Rochester, N.Y., Heidi Carson is an employee training specialist with over 14 years of experience in the behavioral health field. Carson has been writing for Demand Studios since the summer of 2009. She received her Bachelor of Arts from St. John Fisher college in psychology and her Master of Science from from the University of Rochester in human development.
Photo Credits
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(Redirected from Awards and decorations of the United States military)
Service ribbons, ribbon devices, and badge awards displayed on a U.S. Navy service uniform
The United States Armed Forces awards and decorations are primarily the medals, service ribbons, and specific badges which recognize military service and personal accomplishments while a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.
2U.S. military, awards currently issued to service members
4U.S. military, inactive and obsolete awards
Order of precedence[edit]
While each service has its own order of precedence, the following general rules typically apply to all services:
U.S. military personal decorations
U.S. military unit awards[1a][1b]
U.S. non-military personal decorations (in order of receipt; if two or more from the same agency, the applicable agency precedence listing should be consulted)[2]
Presidential awards (i.e., Presidential Medal of Freedom, Presidential Citizen’s Medal)
National Medals (i.e., National Security Medal, National Science Medal, Gold Lifesaving Medal, Silver Lifesaving Medal)
DoD and JCS Distinguished Service awards
Agency-specific Distinguished Service awards
Agency-specific Superior Service awards
Agency-specific Meritorious (or Exceptional) Service awards
Agency-specific Commendation awards
Agency-specific Achievement awards
Civilian unit awards
Civilian service awards
U.S. non-military unit awards[3]
U.S. military campaign and service medals
U.S. military service and training awards (ribbon-only awards)[4][3a]
U.S. Merchant Marine awards and non-military service awards
Foreign military personal decorations (in order of receipt; if two or more from the same country, the applicable country precedence listing should be consulted)
Foreign military unit awards[1]
Non-U.S. service awards (e.g., United Nations, NATO, etc.)
Foreign military service awards[4]
Marksmanship awards (Air Force,[3a] Navy & Coast Guard)[3b]
Awards of U.S. military societies and other organizations6a6b
State awards of the National Guard (Army & Air Force only)
Notes on branch-specific exceptions to the above:
1a In the Army, unit awards (any type) are worn as a separate grouping, on the right side of the uniform, with and without frames, are worn in the order of precedence from the wearer’s right to left.
1b In the Navy, unit award ribbons are only worn on the right side of the uniform, when wearing full medals on the left side. Arrange ribbons in order of precedence in rows from top down, inboard to outboard; this reverses the order of ribbons (as compared to when placed inline with other awards on the left side). For U.S. Navy, the USPHS unit awards are considered (military) unit awards. However, if Navy personnel are also awarded USPHS personal decorations (e.g., USPHS Distinguished Service Medal), then the USPHS order of precedence would apply.
2 Some awards, despite being ribbon-only, are higher in precedence. The Navy & Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbons and the Coast Guard's Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon are included with personal decorations, while two Air Force ribbon-only awards (the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon & the Air Force Recognition Ribbon) and the Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon are considered in the same category as service medals.
3a Marksmanship Awards in the Air Force are considered training awards. 3b The Army and Marine Corps issue Marksmanship Qualification Badges instead of Marksmanship awards.
4 For Navy, Merchant Marine awards are considered U.S. non-military awards.
5 The obsolete Philippine Commonwealth service awards (Philippine Defense, Liberation, & Independence Medals), when still listed in the order of precedence, come before the United Nations medals (Army & Marine Corps[1]) or before the Merchant Marine awards (Air Force).
6a For Navy, medals and ribbons from military societies, such as the Army and Navy Union of the United States, worn in the order earned may be worn after marksmanship awards. Medals, ribbons and badges issued by these societies may be worn only while actually attending meetings or conventions or while participating in parades or other ceremonies as a member of these organizations.
6b For Army, no allowance of military society medals or ribbons is prescribed; however, badges are authorized. More specifically, badges of the Army and Navy Union of the United States of America are authorized for such active duty ANU members without further restriction. Badges of other civic and quasi-military societies of the United States, and international organizations of a military nature may also be worn with restrictions. These include badges of organizations originally composed of members who served in a U.S. force during the Revolutionary War; the War of 1812; the Mexican War; the Civil War; the Spanish–American War; the Philippine Insurrection; and the Chinese Relief Expedition of 1900. The badges are worn only while the wearer is actually attending meetings or functions of such organizations, or on occasions of ceremony. Personnel will not wear these badges to and from such meetings or events.
U.S. military, awards currently issued to service members[edit]
Order of precedence[edit]
Notes: Precedence of particular awards will vary slightly among the different branches of service. All awards and decorations may be awarded to any service member unless otherwise designated by name or notation.[2]
Ribbon/award name[3]
Personal decorations
Awarded for 'gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty'
Medal of Honor
Service cross medals - Awarded for 'extraordinary heroism'
Distinguished Service Cross (Army)
Navy Cross
Air Force Cross
Coast Guard Cross
Distinguished service medals - Awarded for 'distinguished service'
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded for 'gallantry in action'
Silver Star Medal
Awarded for 'superior or exceptionally meritorious service'
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Awarded for 'heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight'
Awarded for heroism in combat zone or meritorious service in a war zone
Bronze Star Medal
Awarded for wounds suffered in combatPH
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service and Aviation 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
Combat Action awards
Navy Combat Action Ribbon
Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Also see: Army combat badges
Unit awards
Presidential Unit Citations
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force 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
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
Combat Readiness Medal (Air Force)
Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon
Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
Reserve service medals
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal
Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Expeditionary medals
Navy Expeditionary Medal
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
Continued on right column
Ribbon/award name[3]
Campaign and service medals (cont.)
General service medals
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Special service medals
Antarctica Service Medal
Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal
Air and Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Campaign and Expeditionary / Conflict Service Medals
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Service and training awards
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon
Army Sea Duty Ribbon
Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Navy Arctic Service Ribbon
Overseas service ribbons
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon
Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon
Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
Longevity ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Recruiting service and training service ribbons
Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon
Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon
Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon
Navy Accession Training Service Ribbon
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon
Marine Corps Combat Instructor Ribbon
Air Force Special Duty 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
Basic training honor graduate ribbons
Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Coast Guard Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Navy Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Training ribbons
Army Service Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Marksmanship awards[4][5][6]
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Rifle
Coast Guard Distinguished Marksman Award
Coast Guard Silver Rifle Excellence-in-Competition Award
Coast Guard Bronze Rifle Excellence-in-Competition Award
Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
Coast Guard Expert Rifleman Medal
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
Coast Guard Distinguished Pistol Shot Award
Coast Guard Silver Pistol Excellence-in-Competition Award
Coast Guard Bronze Pistol Excellence-in-Competition Award
Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Coast Guard Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device
Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device
Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
Note: ^ The precedence of the Purple Heart was immediately before the Good Conduct Medals until changed to its current precedence in 1985.
Military departments[edit]
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[edit]
U.S. military, inactive and obsolete awards[edit]
U.S. military personnel having received these awards have either been discharged or retired for a substantial length of time and/or are deceased (with the exception of the Fleet Marine Force Ribbon and the military awards of the DoT).
Ribbon/award name
Personal decorations
Certificate of Merit Medal
Marine Corps Brevet Medal
Specially Meritorious Service Medal
Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon
Army Wound Ribbon
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
West Indies Naval Campaign Medal (Sampson Medal)
Battle of Manila Bay 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
Cuban Pacification Medal (Army)
Cuban Pacification Medal (Navy)
Army of Puerto Rican Occupation Medal
Philippine–American War campaign medals
Philippine Campaign Medal
Philippine Congressional Medal
Ribbon/award name
Navy & Marine Corps expedition medals
Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1912)
Dominican Campaign Medal (1916)
Haitian Campaign Medal (1915 & 1920-1921)
Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1926-1930)
Yangtze Service Medal
World War I and Pre-World War I service medals
Mexican Service Medal (1911-1917)
Mexican Border Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
World War II and Pre-World War II service medals
China Service Medal
American Defense Service Medal
Women's Army Corps Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Post World War II, Cold War Service, Occupation Medals
Medal for Humane Action
Army of Occupation Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Middle Eastern & Modern Conflicts / Wars
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Service and training awards
Naval Reserve Medal
Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon
Fleet Marine Force Ribbon
Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Military Training Instructor Ribbon
Air Force Recruiter Ribbon
Marksmanship
Navy Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot Ribbon
Navy Distinguished Marksman Ribbon
Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon
Discontinued or proposed[edit]
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 award
Cold War Victory Medal
Single service awards[edit]
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 actions of the vessel USRC Hudson during the Battle of Cárdenas. The last single service award 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.[7] 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[edit]
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.
Ribbon/award name
Civil War decorations
Kearny Cross
Kearny Medal
Butler Medal
Gillmore Medal
Ribbon/award name
Research decorations
Walter Reed Medal
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.[8] One of the more well known is the Walter Reed Medal (recognized today as a Congressional Gold Medal), awarded for exploratory scientific achievement in the field of malaria treatment. While presented as a gold medallion, members of the military were reported to wear a red ribbon on their uniforms to denote the decoration.
Foreign and international awards[edit]
Foreign and international decorations are authorized for wear on United States military uniforms by the Department of Defense in accordance 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 military personnel since World War I, the following being among the more common.
Ribbon/award name
World War I
French Legion of Honor
British Order of the Bath
French Military Medal
French Croix de guerre
Belgian Croix de guerre
Czechoslovak War Cross (1918)
Caribbean & Central America (1920s & 1930s)
Order of Abdon Calderón (Ecuador)
Military Merit Medal (Haiti)
Medal of Merit (Nicaragua)
World War II (Europe)
French Croix de guerre
Belgian Croix de guerre
Luxembourg War Cross
Czechoslovak War Cross (1945)
Luxembourg War Cross (Unit Citation)
World War II (Pacific)
Philippine Defense Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal
Philippine Independence Medal
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
World War II (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 - South Korea and the United Nations
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Ribbon/award name
Vietnam War - Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
RVN Army Distinguished Service Order
RVN Navy Distinguished Service Order
RVN Air Force Distinguished Service Order
RVN Military Merit Medal
RVN Gallantry Cross (with Palm)
RVN Air Gallantry Cross
RVN Navy Gallantry Cross
RVN Armed Forces Honor Medal
RVN Civil Actions Medal (1st class)
RVN Staff Service Medal
RVN Special Service Medal
RVN Training Service Medal
RVN Presidential Unit Citation
RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm and frame
RVN Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation with palm and frame (1st class)
RVN Campaign Medal with 1960- device
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)
NATO Medal (Non-Article 5)
Senior Military Awards (21st Century)
Aeronautical Merit Cross (Peru)
Cross of Honor (Germany)
Khalifiyyeh Order of Bahrain
Military Merit Order (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, South Korea has again issued the Korean Presidential Unit Citation to certain units of the United States Marine Corps, 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.
See also[edit]
To display devices on Wikipedia pages, use Template:Ribbon devices.
Awards and decorations of the United States government
^'NUMBER 1348.33, Volume 3'(PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. United States Department of Defense. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
^ abhttp://www.homeofheroes.com/medals/1_precedence.html Retrieved 24 February 2008.
^OPNAVINST 3591.1F, SMALL ARMS TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONArchived 22 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Chief of Naval Operations, dated 12 August 2009, last accessed 5 May 2013
^'COMDTINST M1650.25D, Medals and Awards Manual, U.S. Coast Guard, dated May 2008, last accessed 5 May 2013'(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 27 December 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
^U.S. Coast Guard Uniform Regulations, dated March 2012, last accessed 5 May 2013
^'The Institute of Heraldry – Army Chaplain Medal of Valor'. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
^Price, James S. (2011). The Battle of New Market Heights: freedom Will Be Theirs by the Sword. Charleston, SC: The History Press. p. 87. ISBN978-1-60949-038-6.
Further reading[edit]
Us Army Ribbons Order Of Precedence
Foster, Frank C. (2002). A complete guide to all United States military medals, 1939 to present. Fountain Inn, S.C.: MOA Press. ISBN1-884-45218-3. OCLC54755134.
Kerrigan, Evans E. (1971). American war medals and decorations. New York: Viking Press. ISBN0-670-12101-0. OCLC128058.
Kerrigan, Evans E. (1990). American medals and decorations. Noroton Heights, CT: Medallic. ISBN0-792-45082-5. OCLC21467942.
Robles, Philip K. (1971). United States military medals and ribbons. Rutland, VT: C. E. Tuttle. ISBN0-804-80048-0. OCLC199721.
External links[edit]
Decorations and Medals - Ribbons - Order of Precedence at the Institute of Heraldry website
Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia (in PDF format)
Military Awards (U.S. Army) (in PDF format)
SGM (USA, Ret.) Gregory A. Noller (1995). 'ADVA Army Awards'. Americal Division Veterans Association. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Awards_and_decorations_of_the_United_States_Armed_Forces&oldid=904494597'
(Redirected from Awards and decorations of the United States military)
Service ribbons, ribbon devices, and badge awards displayed on a U.S. Navy service uniform
The United States Armed Forces awards and decorations are primarily the medals, service ribbons, and specific badges which recognize military service and personal accomplishments while a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.
2U.S. military, awards currently issued to service members
4U.S. military, inactive and obsolete awards
Order of precedence[edit]
While each service has its own order of precedence, the following general rules typically apply to all services:
U.S. military personal decorations
U.S. military unit awards[1a][1b]
U.S. non-military personal decorations (in order of receipt; if two or more from the same agency, the applicable agency precedence listing should be consulted)[2]
Presidential awards (i.e., Presidential Medal of Freedom, Presidential Citizen’s Medal)
National Medals (i.e., National Security Medal, National Science Medal, Gold Lifesaving Medal, Silver Lifesaving Medal)
DoD and JCS Distinguished Service awards
Agency-specific Distinguished Service awards
Agency-specific Superior Service awards
Agency-specific Meritorious (or Exceptional) Service awards
Agency-specific Commendation awards
Agency-specific Achievement awards
Civilian unit awards
Civilian service awards
U.S. non-military unit awards[3]
U.S. military campaign and service medals
U.S. military service and training awards (ribbon-only awards)[4][3a]
U.S. Merchant Marine awards and non-military service awards
Foreign military personal decorations (in order of receipt; if two or more from the same country, the applicable country precedence listing should be consulted)
Foreign military unit awards[1]
Non-U.S. service awards (e.g., United Nations, NATO, etc.)
Foreign military service awards[4]
Marksmanship awards (Air Force,[3a] Navy & Coast Guard)[3b]
Awards of U.S. military societies and other organizations6a6b
State awards of the National Guard (Army & Air Force only)
Notes on branch-specific exceptions to the above:
1a In the Army, unit awards (any type) are worn as a separate grouping, on the right side of the uniform, with and without frames, are worn in the order of precedence from the wearer’s right to left.
1b In the Navy, unit award ribbons are only worn on the right side of the uniform, when wearing full medals on the left side. Arrange ribbons in order of precedence in rows from top down, inboard to outboard; this reverses the order of ribbons (as compared to when placed inline with other awards on the left side). For U.S. Navy, the USPHS unit awards are considered (military) unit awards. However, if Navy personnel are also awarded USPHS personal decorations (e.g., USPHS Distinguished Service Medal), then the USPHS order of precedence would apply.
2 Some awards, despite being ribbon-only, are higher in precedence. The Navy & Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbons and the Coast Guard's Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon are included with personal decorations, while two Air Force ribbon-only awards (the Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon & the Air Force Recognition Ribbon) and the Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon are considered in the same category as service medals.
3a Marksmanship Awards in the Air Force are considered training awards. 3b The Army and Marine Corps issue Marksmanship Qualification Badges instead of Marksmanship awards.
4 For Navy, Merchant Marine awards are considered U.S. non-military awards.
5 The obsolete Philippine Commonwealth service awards (Philippine Defense, Liberation, & Independence Medals), when still listed in the order of precedence, come before the United Nations medals (Army & Marine Corps[1]) or before the Merchant Marine awards (Air Force).
6a For Navy, medals and ribbons from military societies, such as the Army and Navy Union of the United States, worn in the order earned may be worn after marksmanship awards. Medals, ribbons and badges issued by these societies may be worn only while actually attending meetings or conventions or while participating in parades or other ceremonies as a member of these organizations.
6b For Army, no allowance of military society medals or ribbons is prescribed; however, badges are authorized. More specifically, badges of the Army and Navy Union of the United States of America are authorized for such active duty ANU members without further restriction. Badges of other civic and quasi-military societies of the United States, and international organizations of a military nature may also be worn with restrictions. These include badges of organizations originally composed of members who served in a U.S. force during the Revolutionary War; the War of 1812; the Mexican War; the Civil War; the Spanish–American War; the Philippine Insurrection; and the Chinese Relief Expedition of 1900. The badges are worn only while the wearer is actually attending meetings or functions of such organizations, or on occasions of ceremony. Personnel will not wear these badges to and from such meetings or events.
U.S. military, awards currently issued to service members[edit]
Order of precedence[edit]
Notes: Precedence of particular awards will vary slightly among the different branches of service. All awards and decorations may be awarded to any service member unless otherwise designated by name or notation.[2]
Ribbon/award name[3]
Personal decorations
Awarded for 'gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty'
Medal of Honor
Service cross medals - Awarded for 'extraordinary heroism'
Distinguished Service Cross (Army)
Navy Cross
Air Force Cross
Coast Guard Cross
Distinguished service medals - Awarded for 'distinguished service'
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded for 'gallantry in action'
Silver Star Medal
Awarded for 'superior or exceptionally meritorious service'
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Awarded for 'heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight'
Distinguished Flying Cross
Medals for non-combat heroism
Soldier's Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Airman's Medal
Coast Guard Medal
Awarded for heroism in combat zone or meritorious service in a war zone
Bronze Star Medal
Awarded for wounds suffered in combatPH
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service and Aviation 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
Combat Action awards
Navy Combat Action Ribbon
Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Also see: Army combat badges
Unit awards
Presidential Unit Citations
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force 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
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
Combat Readiness Medal (Air Force)
Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon
Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
Reserve service medals
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal
Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Expeditionary medals
Navy Expeditionary Medal
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
Continued on right column
Ribbon/award name[3]
Campaign and service medals (cont.)
General service medals
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Special service medals
Antarctica Service Medal
Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal
Air and Space Campaign Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Campaign and Expeditionary / Conflict Service Medals
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Service and training awards
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon
Army Sea Duty Ribbon
Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Navy Arctic Service Ribbon
Overseas service ribbons
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon
Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon
Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
Longevity ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Recruiting service and training service ribbons
Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon
Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon
Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon
Navy Accession Training Service Ribbon
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon
Marine Corps Combat Instructor Ribbon
Air Force Special Duty 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
Basic training honor graduate ribbons
Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Coast Guard Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Navy Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Training ribbons
Army Service Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Marksmanship awards[4][5][6]
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Rifle
Coast Guard Distinguished Marksman Award
Coast Guard Silver Rifle Excellence-in-Competition Award
Coast Guard Bronze Rifle Excellence-in-Competition Award
Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
Coast Guard Expert Rifleman Medal
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
Coast Guard Distinguished Pistol Shot Award
Coast Guard Silver Pistol Excellence-in-Competition Award
Coast Guard Bronze Pistol Excellence-in-Competition Award
Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Coast Guard Expert Pistol Shot Medal
Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device
Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device
Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
Note: ^ The precedence of the Purple Heart was immediately before the Good Conduct Medals until changed to its current precedence in 1985.
Military departments[edit]
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[edit]
U.S. military, inactive and obsolete awards[edit]
U.S. military personnel having received these awards have either been discharged or retired for a substantial length of time and/or are deceased (with the exception of the Fleet Marine Force Ribbon and the military awards of the DoT).
Ribbon/award name
Personal decorations
Certificate of Merit Medal
Marine Corps Brevet Medal
Specially Meritorious Service Medal
Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon
Army Wound Ribbon
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
West Indies Naval Campaign Medal (Sampson Medal)
Battle of Manila Bay 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
Cuban Pacification Medal (Army)
Cuban Pacification Medal (Navy)
Army of Puerto Rican Occupation Medal
Philippine–American War campaign medals
Philippine Campaign Medal
Philippine Congressional Medal
Ribbon/award name
Navy & Marine Corps expedition medals
Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1912)
Dominican Campaign Medal (1916)
Haitian Campaign Medal (1915 & 1920-1921)
Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1926-1930)
Yangtze Service Medal
World War I and Pre-World War I service medals
Mexican Service Medal (1911-1917)
Mexican Border Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
World War II and Pre-World War II service medals
China Service Medal
American Defense Service Medal
Women's Army Corps Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Post World War II, Cold War Service, Occupation Medals
Medal for Humane Action
Army of Occupation Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Middle Eastern & Modern Conflicts / Wars
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Service and training awards
Naval Reserve Medal
Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon
Fleet Marine Force Ribbon
Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Military Training Instructor Ribbon
Air Force Recruiter Ribbon
Marksmanship
Navy Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot Ribbon
Navy Distinguished Marksman Ribbon
Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon
Discontinued or proposed[edit]
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 award
Cold War Victory Medal
Single service awards[edit]
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 actions of the vessel USRC Hudson during the Battle of Cárdenas. The last single service award 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.[7] 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[edit]
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.
Ribbon/award name
Civil War decorations
Kearny Cross
Kearny Medal
Butler Medal
Gillmore Medal
Ribbon/award name
Research decorations
Walter Reed Medal
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.[8] One of the more well known is the Walter Reed Medal (recognized today as a Congressional Gold Medal), awarded for exploratory scientific achievement in the field of malaria treatment. While presented as a gold medallion, members of the military were reported to wear a red ribbon on their uniforms to denote the decoration.
Foreign and international awards[edit]
Foreign and international decorations are authorized for wear on United States military uniforms by the Department of Defense in accordance 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 military personnel since World War I, the following being among the more common.
Ribbon/award name
World War I
French Legion of Honor
British Order of the Bath
French Military Medal
French Croix de guerre
Belgian Croix de guerre
Czechoslovak War Cross (1918)
Caribbean & Central America (1920s & 1930s)
Order of Abdon Calderón (Ecuador)
Military Merit Medal (Haiti)
Medal of Merit (Nicaragua)
World War II (Europe)
French Croix de guerre
Belgian Croix de guerre
Luxembourg War Cross
Czechoslovak War Cross (1945)
Luxembourg War Cross (Unit Citation)
World War II (Pacific)
Philippine Defense Medal
Philippine Liberation Medal
Philippine Independence Medal
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
World War II (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 - South Korea and the United Nations
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Ribbon/award name
Vietnam War - Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
RVN Army Distinguished Service Order
RVN Navy Distinguished Service Order
RVN Air Force Distinguished Service Order
RVN Military Merit Medal
RVN Gallantry Cross (with Palm)
RVN Air Gallantry Cross
RVN Navy Gallantry Cross
RVN Armed Forces Honor Medal
RVN Civil Actions Medal (1st class)
RVN Staff Service Medal
RVN Special Service Medal
RVN Training Service Medal
RVN Presidential Unit Citation
RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm and frame
RVN Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation with palm and frame (1st class)
RVN Campaign Medal with 1960- device
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)
NATO Medal (Non-Article 5)
Senior Military Awards (21st Century)
Aeronautical Merit Cross (Peru)
Cross of Honor (Germany)
Khalifiyyeh Order of Bahrain
Military Merit Order (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, South Korea has again issued the Korean Presidential Unit Citation to certain units of the United States Marine Corps, 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.
See also[edit]
To display devices on Wikipedia pages, use Template:Ribbon devices.
Awards and decorations of the United States government
^'NUMBER 1348.33, Volume 3'(PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. United States Department of Defense. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
^ abhttp://www.homeofheroes.com/medals/1_precedence.html Retrieved 24 February 2008.
^OPNAVINST 3591.1F, SMALL ARMS TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONArchived 22 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Chief of Naval Operations, dated 12 August 2009, last accessed 5 May 2013
^'COMDTINST M1650.25D, Medals and Awards Manual, U.S. Coast Guard, dated May 2008, last accessed 5 May 2013'(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 27 December 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
^U.S. Coast Guard Uniform Regulations, dated March 2012, last accessed 5 May 2013
^'The Institute of Heraldry – Army Chaplain Medal of Valor'. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
^Price, James S. (2011). The Battle of New Market Heights: freedom Will Be Theirs by the Sword. Charleston, SC: The History Press. p. 87. ISBN978-1-60949-038-6.
Further reading[edit]
Foster, Frank C. (2002). A complete guide to all United States military medals, 1939 to present. Fountain Inn, S.C.: MOA Press. ISBN1-884-45218-3. OCLC54755134.
Kerrigan, Evans E. (1971). American war medals and decorations. New York: Viking Press. ISBN0-670-12101-0. OCLC128058.
Kerrigan, Evans E. (1990). American medals and decorations. Noroton Heights, CT: Medallic. ISBN0-792-45082-5. OCLC21467942.
Robles, Philip K. (1971). United States military medals and ribbons. Rutland, VT: C. E. Tuttle. ISBN0-804-80048-0. OCLC199721.
External links[edit]
Decorations and Medals - Ribbons - Order of Precedence at the Institute of Heraldry website
Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia (in PDF format)
Military Awards (U.S. Army) (in PDF format)
SGM (USA, Ret.) Gregory A. Noller (1995). 'ADVA Army Awards'. Americal Division Veterans Association. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012.
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