MyMilitaryMedals.com Blog
The Kuwait Liberation Medal Of Saudi Arabia
February 28th 2011 - 6:34 pm
The military decoration that is most recognized from the desert storm/Desert shield war is the Kuwait Liberation Medal.The Kuwait Liberation Medal - Saudi Arabia version - was established to recognize service during the Liberation of Kuwait. These military medals and military ribbons are awarded to members of the Coalition Forces who participated in Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait between January and February of 1991. It is considered the rarer of the two Kuwait Liberation Medals because of the time frame it was awarded, and for this reason is established as the senior in precedence. These military ribbons and medals were awarded for service in support of Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and within the borders of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Eligibility for these awards include all combat duty, or serving for one or more days in ground/shore operations, aboard navel vessels or aircraft supporting military operations, or serving for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days on temporary duty in support of the Gulf War operations. Kuwait Liberation (Saudi Arabia) Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the Saudi Arabian government. United States military branches view foreign issue military medals as ranking lower than almost all military decorations issued by American governmental organizations. These military medals are worn below the Vietnam Campaign Medal and above the Kuwait version of the Kuwait Liberation Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military medals and ribbons for United States service personnel. These Military awards can be worn as l full size military medals and miniature medals, or service military ribbons . More and more military service members are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform awards looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and miniature medals. Most reputable commercial military insignia suppliers offer these sleek new ribbon racks at no additional charge to military personnel.
The Vietnam Campaign Medal
February 26th 2011 - 9:38 am
The Vietnam Campaign Medal was first awarded in June of 1966 by the Republic of South Vietnam and given to any member of the United States military who served honorably in the Vietnam War in their defense. These military medals were the most commonly bestowed foreign military awards for United States service persons prior to the Gulf War. United States military personnel who served outside of Vietnam, but provided direct combat support services to the Vietnam War for a period exceeding 6 months could also received these military ribbons if they had also been awarded either the Vietnam Service Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Vietnam service. For service members who were wounded by enemy forces, captured in the line of duty, or killed in action, the Vietnam Campaign Medal was automatically awarded regardless of time in service. Vietnam Campaign Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they were presented by the Republic of South Vietnam. United States military branches view these foreign awards as of less importance than the military ribbons and medals issued by American governmental agencies. The Vietnam Campaign Medal may also display the "1960 Bar" device. This unusual device features a "1960- (blank)" because when South Vietnam issued the bar they intended to add the date of their final victory in the blank when it occurred. Since they were defeated, the final date was never added. An earlier version of this bar features the dates of 1949-1954. While American service personnel are authorized to wear this device, very few are eligible since the time covered was during the French colonial period. The US considers the Vietnam Campaign Medal to be a foreign award which must be worn below all US issued decorations. The United States issues equivalent military awards know as Vietnam Service Medals. The Vietnam Campaign Medal is worn below the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal and above the Kuwait Liberation Medals in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all United States military medals and ribbons.
The Multi-national Force and Observers Medal
February 25th 2011 - 5:12 pm
The Multinational Force and Observers Medal was established in March of 1982 as one of the first international military decorations under the authority of the Director-General of the Multinational Force and Observers established to monitor the neutral ceasefire zone between Egypt and Israel after the Yom Kippur War of 1973. These military insignia are not US military medals, but international awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the United Nations. United States military branches view these foreign awards as a lower order of awards than the military ribbons and medals issued by American governmental organizations. These military medals were issued to US service members who served at least ninety cumulative days as a member of the Multinational Force and Observers. These military ribbons were first issued in July of 1982, but were made retroactive to August of 1981. After March of 1985, the time requirement was increased to a minimum of 170 days of service to earn these military awards. This new time requirement is waived if the award must be presented posthumously, or the service member must be evacuated for a medical emergency. The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is considered a non-US service award, and is worn below all US decorations, but before the foreign issued awards of individual countries. The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is worn below the NATO Medal and above the Inter-American Defense Board Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for all US military medals and ribbons. Additional presentations of these military medals are denoted by Award Numerals. Silver Numerals, beginning with "2" are worn on the medal ribbon to indicate additional periods of service with the same mission. The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is generally available to all US military personnel who meet the criteria stated above, and can be worn as traditional full size military medals and miniature medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins.
TheUnited Nations Military Observer Medal
February 24th 2011 - 11:50 am
This military medal is on of the more rare medals that is awarded to members of the military from different countries. The United Nations Military Observer Group was established in 1949 to facilitate the creation of truce terms between India and Pakistan. These military insignia are not US military medals, but international awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the United Nations. The United States military branches view these foreign awards as less important than the military ribbons and medals awarded by American governmental organizations. Unite Nations Military Observer Medals were created to commemorate this service and are awarded to service personnel serving under the auspices of the UN in this capacity for 6 months or more. The most recent incarnation of these military ribbons were awarded for UN service during the United Nations India-Pakistan Observation Mission lasting from 1965 through 1966. The United Nations Military Observer Medal is awarded for 6 months of service, but Silver Numerals are approved for wear on the medal or ribbon to denote additional periods of service on the same mission. These military awards are worn below the Inter-American Defense Medal and above the Multinational Forces Observer Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all United States military medals and ribbons. The United Nations Military Observer Medal is generally available to all US military personnel who meet the criteria stated above, and can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. They are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons. Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin military ribbons to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays available anywhere. Most reputable commercial military insignia suppliers offer these sleek new ribbon racks at no additional charge to military personnel.
The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
February 21st 2011 - 3:26 pm
The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was established in 1964 by the government of South Vietnam. These military awards are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they were presented by the Republic of South Vietnam. As a result, Unite States military branches consider them of lesser importance than almost any of the military ribbons and medals issued by American governmental agencies. These military medals were mid-level civil service awards presented to any member of the Vietnamese military who performed outstanding civic service to the state or who participated in civil service actions of significant benefit. These military ribbons were awarded in two classes, with the first class intended for commissioned officers and the second for enlisted personnel. It was not possible to upgrade one class of these military awards into another or to wear both classes simultaneously. A unit award of the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal also existed, known as the Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation. These unit awards were also referred to as the Civil Actions Unit Awards with Palm or as the Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation with Civil Actions Colors. The unit awards of the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal were presented to all members of a military command who had participated in civic actions with such a degree that would normally warrant the presentation of the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal. The unit award was presented as a military ribbon for the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal (First Class), enclosed in a Gold Frame with a centered Bronze Palm. Regulations did permit the simultaneous presentation and display of both the full sized medal and the unit award, since the two awards were considered separate decorations. The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was one of the more commonly bestowed Vietnam medals presented to the forces of foreign militaries. In the US armed forces participating in the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation was most often awarded to units of the Army and Marine Corps which had participated in local police actions to suppress civil unrest in certain areas of South Vietnam. The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal is authorized for wear below the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and above the UN Korean Service Medal in the order of precedence that has been established to govern the proper display of all military medals and ribbons worn by United States service personnel. Nowadays, the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal is an obsolete decoration since the awarding nation, the Republic of Vietnam, no longer exists. The decoration is only available through private dealers of military insignia, who offer it as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. While it was once available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons, nowadays they are generally only available as military ribbons. While traditionalist may still prefer to purchase the traditional slide-on full size military medals, mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; the newer thin mini-medals, and ultra thin military ribbons commercial suppliers now provide have become extremely popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.
The Vietnam Training Service Medal
February 18th 2011 - 3:39 pm
The Vietnam Training Service Medal was authorized by the now defunct government of South Vietnam in 1964, as one of its earliest military awards. Vietnam Training Service Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, the American military considers them to be of less importance than United States military ribbons and medals. These military medals were designed to honor both Vietnamese and foreign instructors who contributed significantly to training efforts. These military ribbons were granted in two degrees: the First Class medal was awarded to military officers and Second Class medal was bestowed upon Non Commissioned Officers and enlisted personnel. These military medals are authorized for wear by US service personnel, but are currently considered obsolete as the issuing authority was the now non-existent government of South Vietnam. They are worn below the Vietnam Technical Service Medal and above the Vietnam Gallantry Cross in the general order of precedence that has been established for the display of all military medals and ribbons by US service personnel. Today, Vietnam Training Service Medals are available only from private military insignia dealers. It is generally worn as traditional slide-on military ribbons. Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin military ribbons to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays available anywhere. Most reputable commercial military insignia suppliers offer these sleek new ribbon racks at no additional charge to military personnel.
The Vietnam Military Merit Medal
February 12th 2011 - 7:30 am
The Vietnam Military Merit Medal was created in August of 1950 by the government of South Vietnam, and was modeled after the US Medal of Honor to be their highest military decoration during the years of the Vietnam War. These military medals were only available to enlisted personnel who had performed extreme acts of bravery or had given their lives in armed combat with enemy forces of South Vietnam. The National Order of Vietnam medals were considered equivalent military awards available to officers. Vietnam Military Merit Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they were presented by the Republic of South Vietnam. Since they were not issued by any United States agency, these military medals are worn below almost all awards presented by the American government to its service personnel. The US military authorized the Vietnam Military Merit Medal as a foreign decoration and permitted the medal to be worn on U.S. uniforms. A high number of bestowals were made posthumously as the medal was most often awarded to United States enlisted personnel who had been killed in action fighting the forces of North Vietnam or the guerrilla forces of the Viet Cong. The Vietnam Military Merit Medal was last issued to U.S. personnel in 1973 and was discontinued after the fall of South Vietnam in 1975. These military awards are now only available through private dealers in military insignia. Vietnam Military Merit Medals are currently available as military ribbons which United States service personnel may ware below the National Order of Vietnam and above the Vietnam Air Gallantry Medal in the order of precedence which has been established for the proper display of all military medals and ribbons for United States service personnel. Like most military ribbons, they may be worn as traditional slide-on military ribbons. While traditionalist may still prefer to purchase the traditional slide-on full size military medals, mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; the newer thin mini-medals, and ultra thin military ribbons commercial suppliers now provide have become extremely popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.
The Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
February 10th 2011 - 10:55 am
The Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation was created by the South Vietnamese government. Vietnam Presidential Unit Citations are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the Republic of South Vietnam. Since they are not issued by any agency of the United States, these military awards are worn below almost all military ribbons and medals issued by the United States to members of its military branches. These military ribbons were awarded to all personnel in the Indo-China Military Assistance Advisory Group during August and September of 1954. These military awards were also presented to units of the US military deemed to have performed exceptional services to the Republic of South Vietnam throughout the US involvement in the Vietnam War. The VPUC is now considered obsolete since the bestowing authority of the government of South Vietnam ceased to exist with the extinction of that ruling body. The Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation is worn below the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and above the National Order of Vietnam in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military ribbons and medals for US service branches. They may be worn as traditional slide-on military ribbons. While traditionalist may still prefer to purchase the traditional slide-on full size military medals, mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; the newer thin mini-medals, and ultra thin military ribbons commercial suppliers now provide have become extremely popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.
The Korean Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
February 9th 2011 - 11:50 am
The Korean Presidential Unit Citation was issued by the government of the Republic of South Korea. Korean Presidential Unit Citations are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the Republic of South Korea. Since these military ribbons are not presented by agencies of the United States, they are worn below almost all of the Medals of America. These military ribbons were bestowed upon several US and UK, as well as Korean military units. Later, these military awards were retroactively presented to every unit of the US army which had deployed to Korea between 1950 and 1954. The commander of the US Marine Corps Forces serving in Korea between December of 1999 and April of 2002 was also awarded this decoration. No corresponding military medals have been authorized for this award. In addition to South Korean, United States and United Kingdom military units, there have been several other nationalities including the Canadians, the Australians, the Italians, the Puerto Ricans, the South Africans and the Dutch whose military units have won the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. The Korean Presidential Unit Citation is worn below the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and above the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military ribbons and medals for United States Service personnel . These awards are available as military ribbons, lapel pins and unit awards. They may be worn as traditional slide-on military ribbons. Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin military ribbons to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays available anywhere. Most reputable commercial military insignia suppliers offer these sleek new ribbon racks at no additional charge to military personnel.
The Philippines Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
February 8th 2011 - 6:30 am
The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was created in 1946 as a decoration of the Republic of the Philippines. Philippine Presidential Unit Citations are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the Republic of the Philippines. Because they are foreign awards, they are worn below almost all military ribbons and medals issued by the United States Government. These military awards were presented retroactively to any unit of the US and Philippine militaries which served in the defense or liberation of the Philippine Islands during World War II. These military ribbons were reactivated for presentation to US and Philippine military units who performed relief efforts during the several natural disasters which struck the Philippines in the period between 1970 and 1972. No corresponding military medals have been created for this award. In February 2005, President Macapagal-Arroyo bestowed these decorations on members of Joint Task Force 510 & Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, serving between 31 January 2002 and 31 July 2002 in support of RP-US Exercise Balikatan 02-1 in Southern Mindanao, and JTF-510/JSOTF-Philippines aimed at reducing the threats of terrorism and provided assistance with training, socio-economic activities and civil engineering projects. The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation may be worn as the highest of the Asian Unit Citations and above the Long Service Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military medals and ribbons. These awards are available as military ribbons, lapel pins and unit awards. They are available as traditional slide-on military ribbons. Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin military ribbons to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays available anywhere. Most reputable commercial military insignia suppliers offer these sleek new ribbon racks at no additional charge to military personnel.
The Philippine Independence Medal
February 7th 2011 - 4:01 pm
The Philippine Independence Medal was created by order of the Commonwealth of the Philippine Army in July of 1946 as an award of the Republic of the Philippines. Philippine Defense Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the Republic of the Philippines rather than any American agency. For this reason, they are worn below almost all the military awards given by the United States to its soldiers. These military awards were first created and presented only as military ribbons. In 1968 president Marcos authorized the addition of corresponding military medals. The Philippine Independence Medal was created to recognize Philippine and allied military members who participated in multiple Philippine liberation operations during World War II. The PIM was authorized for award to service persons of foreign military forces and a large number of retroactive awards were made right after the cessation of World War II hostilities. To be awarded the Philippine Independence Medal, a service member must have previously received both the Philippine Defense Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal, and have served on active military duty in the Philippines after July 4, 1946. The award criteria effectively awarded the medal to anyone who had participated in both the initial resistance against invasion by the Japanese and also in the later campaigns to liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation in 1945. The Philippine Independence Medal may be worn below the Philippine Liberation Medal and above the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military medals and ribbons. These awards can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. They are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals and slide-on military ribbons. In these more competitive days, however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin military ribbons to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays possible.
Taking Pride in World War II Medals
February 6th 2011 - 6:11 am
Sometimes we think of World War II as just a part of history as if it is just a story, but to those that know the truth, or were ther it was much more than this. Germany invaded Poland in a sneak attack during 1939, and this was the beginning of World War II. The war quickly escalated into a global conflict with two distinct sides in direct opposition, the Allied forces and the Axis powers. The Axis powers were primarily comprised of Germany, Italy, and Japan while the Allied forces were a combined effort of military personnel from America, Britain, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, China, and France. World War II elicited valiant behavior and courageous heroics on the part of millions of service persons who were from many different countries. There have been a number of medals of America that were awarded to distinguished American service people that served in the Second World War. Some of these deserving individuals also received military medals from other countries to honor their excellent service. The most popular US military medals issued for service in World War II is the World War II Victory Medal. These military ribbons and medals were created by an act of Congress in July 1945 in order to commemorate military service during World War II. This specially created military award was given to any member of the United States military who served on either active duty or as a reservist between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946. As you can imagine, that means this medal was one of the most ubiquitous of all military awards for World War II. The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a medal of America specifically designed for the United States armed forces. This medal was issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed service in what was referred to as the European Theater, which was another name for portions of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East during World War II. Thousands of these medals were issued due to the large number of American service personnel who were stationed in these theaters of conflict. The next World War II medal in prestige is the Army of Occupation Medal which is a military decoration that was established by the United States War Department in the aftermath of the war, in the year 1946. In order to receive the Army of Occupation Medal, a service member was required to have performed for at least thirty consecutive days of active military duty. It was designed specifically to recognize service members who had performed occupation service in either Germany or Japan. The original Army of Occupation Medal was designed solely for members of the United States Army, but eventually these military decorations were expanded to include the United States Air Force. Since it was not presented by all branches of the United State military, fewer of these medals were awarded. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government and was awarded to service members for their exemplary performance and heroism during World War II. Nearly 500 Americans received this most prestigious of all military awards for their service in the Second World War; and over half of these service people received the medal posthumously. This medal is the most distinguished award that the United States Government bestows upon any member of any of its armed forces branches, but is all too often awarded to the relatives of the heroes who won them. These medals can be Army medals, Air Force Medals, or any other branch of the United States Military.
