MyMilitaryMedals.com Blog
Defense Superior Service Medal
October 27th 2009 - 12:28 pm
The Defense Superior Service Medal was created with an Executive Order issued by President Ford on February 6, 1976. It is awarded by the Department of Defense as senior military decorations to members of the U.S. military for superior meritorious service in positions of significant responsibility. It is generally awarded to flag and general officer grades in the name of the Secretary of Defense. The Defense Superior Service Medal is located just below the Silver Star in the order of precedence for military medals, and just above the Legion of Merit. These military awards use the same design as the Defense Distinguished Service Medals, but are finished in silver instead of gold. The Defense Superior Service Medal can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. Like most military medals, it is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, slide-on military ribbons, and thin military medals, mini-medals and ribbons.
Air Medal
October 23rd 2009 - 9:03 am
On May 11, 1942 the United States military medal known as the Air Medal was brought into existance by an executive order #14275645 and was signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt. This medal was issued retroactive to the date of September 8, 1939. The Air Medal is issued to any member of the United States Armed Forces who has shown particular success in the area of aerial flight. Any military personnel who have distinguished his or herself by bravery and meritorious achievement in the area of aerial flight are eligible to receive the Air Medal. The Air Medal was originally intended for particular members of the U.S. military. The award was issued to members who had shown current participation in aerial flight and combat. Personnel on a current crew or non-crew flying status are required to participate in aerial flight on a regular basis by performing primary duties. Others eligible for this military medal are pilots who fly frequently for other purposes such as passenger status, or individuals who perform the duties of being a crew member but who are not on a flying status. Specific military responsibilities, or duties that require U.S. Armed Force members to fly include those who have participated in the plotting or assisting in a combat against an opposing force. This military medal is however, not issued to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who fly for the sole purpose of transporting items of personnel back and forth from combat zones. Lastly, this award is often issued to personnel who served in World War II. It was issued to members of the Civil Air Patrol who had participated in organizing the anti-submarine patrol program. Over the years many service members have risked their lives in defense of this great country, and consequently many of them have received the DOD Air Medal. The air medal is available in full size medal, miniature medal, and a service ribbon.
Kosovo Campaign Medal
October 3rd 2009 - 7:34 am
On May 3, 2000, the Kosovo Campaign Medal was authorized as a military medal of the United States armed forces. This award was authorized by President Bill Clinton as a Presidential Order. This military award is issued to any member of the United States armed forces who served in the line of duty in the Kosovo from the dates of 1999 to the current date. In order for a United States service member to be eligible to receive for the Kosovo Campaign Medal, they would have had to be assigned to a specific unit for 30 consecutive or 60 cumulated days in one of the specified operations. The operations that a service member must have served in are; operation allied force, operation allied harbor, operation shining hope, operation noble anvil, or operation joint guardian. There are a few military medals that are somewhat similar to the Kosovo Campaign Medal. The Air Campaign Medal is similar to the Kosovo Campaign Medal, but it only applies to operations performed in the land area and air space of the following; Serbia (including Kosovo), Montenegro, Bosnia, Romania, Italy, Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Slovenia. Also included in the area of operations performed is the Adriatic and Ionian Sea, as long as such operations are supporting the efforts for peacekeeping in Kosovo. Another military award similar to the Kosovo Campaign Medal is the Kosovo Defense Campaign Medal. This award only includes the following areas; Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania. Operations performed in the areas of the Adriatic Sea also qualify for the Kosovo Defense Campaign Medal. Awarded, along with the Kosovo Campaign Medal, are up to two service stars. Service stars can be issued if two different tours, over 30/60 days, were shown is the Defense as well as the Air Campaign. Service stars are always awarded with the Kosovo Campaign Medal as a requirement. Often issued with this medal is the combat operation insignia, only given to particular sailors. This military award is also presented as a military ribbon and as a mini-medal.
