MyMilitaryMedals.com Blog
Medals of United States
February 26th 2009 - 4:01 pm
There are many medals that have been awarded to military members in all branches of the United States military, and each one has its own unique criteria and description. The United States has seven uniformed services consisting of: the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, the Coast guard, the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast guard are all part of the Armed Forces and four of which are a part of the Department of Defense; the Coast guard is under the control of Homeland Security and at times of war has military duties. Any member of the armed forces is eligible to be awarded a medal in their particular field and/or any of the other United States medals offered. The highest level of United States medals offered is personal decorations. The highest personal decoration offered is the Medal of Honor. The President, in the name of Congress, awards the Medal of Honor to a member of the U.S. Armed forces that shows great heroism at the risk of their own life and goes above the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States. This medal is usually given posthumously given its criteria. The second highest level of decorations are the Cross decorations. The Army Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the Air Force Cross. Each of these is given to their respectful branch of the Armed Forces and is awarded for extraordinary heroism. The Distinguished Service medals are the next level of United States medals. The highest of the Distinguished Service Medals and the highest peacetime defense award is the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. This medal is awarded for exceptional performance of duty contributing to nation security or defense of the U.S. The Distinguished Service Medals of the Army, Navy & Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard are all presented to any person serving in those braches of the United States military who has distinguished themselves by remarkably commendable service to the U.S. Government in a duty of great responsibility. The third highest United States medal for combat heroism and valor, fourth highest overall, is the Silver Star. The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. The Legion of Merit is sixth in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations. This award is the only United States medal with specific degrees of rank. The Legion of Merit is issued to both United States military and to friendly foreign nations who have distinguished themselves for extraordinarily meritorious manner in the performance of exceptional services. The Purple Heart is the oldest award that is still given to members of the U.S. military. It is awarded to recognize a single meritorious act including wounds received in action. Although the Purple Heart is not the highest United States medal it is certainly one of the most honorable if not the most honorable; under the Medal of Honor of course. There are resources available to find the list of recipients of the high awards.
The World War I Medals
February 26th 2009 - 1:06 am
In April of 1917 the United States crossed the Atlantic Ocean and joined the Entente Powers against Germany in World War I. The Great War claimed over 16 million people and wounded another 21 million. This was a massive war that included many countries and states. Many United States soldiers were awarded medals for their constant valor and courage in World War I. All medals awarded to the United States military for World War I were given to commemorate their courage but there were significant groups these medals were divided into. The distinction between medals may be unclear and the criteria for receiving these medals changed overtime. The most exceptional of all medals were the medals awarded for bravery and merit. These were awarded for specific acts of bravery or meritorious service. Most bravery decorations have very detailed criteria that possible recipients were expected to fill. In some cases, civilians were awarded a bravery award. The next type of medal was the campaign medal. A campaign medal was given to commemorate certain battles or campaigns. That military medal was then given to personnel who served in that battle or campaign. Service medals were similar to campaign medals except they were applied to a larger range of events. After World War I, the United States honored all veterans who served in the war with a service medal, regardless of a specific battle or campaign. Faithful service awards were then given to honor long time service of 10 years, and 25 years, rather than to honor certain battles or campaigns. The World War I Occupation medal was awarded for any member of the United States military who performed their duties in either Germany, or the former Austria-Hungary, between November of 1918 until July of 1923. This was the United States’ World War I medal for service. One of the oldest American medals would be the World War I Victory Medal, also known as the “Allied Victory Medal”. A number of Allied countries involved in the conflict against the Austro-German alliance issued a Victory Medal as well. Each medal is bronze with the same diameter and rainbow ribbon, but with a special national design representing a winged victory. Anyone serving in the armed forces between 1917-1918, 1918-1920 in Russia, and 1918-1920 with the American Expeditionary Force Siberia received this medal. Of all the World War medals awarded, the Medal of Honor was the highest ranked. The President, in the name of Congress, awarded 90 Medals of Honor to members of the U.S. Armed forces after World War I. This award was given to those who showed great heroism at the risk of their own lives and who went above the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States.
