Resource Library
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award was created in 1954 as a unit award for any Air Force or Reserve Air National Guard command which performs exceptionally meritorious service, specific acts of outstanding achievement, excels in combat operation... read more
Navy Unit Commendation
In December of 1944 the Secretary of the Navy established the Navy Unit Commendation, which is awarded in the name of the Secretary of the Navy to any ship, aircraft, detachment, or other unit of the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished it... read more
Army Meritorious Unit Citation
The War Department established the Meritorious Service Plaque in August of 1944. Additional awards were indicated by gold Award Stars, and later a gold Numeral inside the wreath on the plaque. Personnel from units that received these military aw... read more
Army Valorous Unit Award
The Valorous Unit Award was created in 1964 as the second highest decoration given to U.S. Army units. These military ribbons are considered the unit equivalent of the Silver Star, and are awarded to Army units which display extraordinary heroism... read more
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
The Air Force Meritorious Unit Award was created by the Secretary of the Air Force in March of 2004. These military ribbons are bestowed for exceptionally meritorious unit conduct for at least a 90 day period during operations against an armed en... read more
Gallant Unit Citation
The Gallant Unit Citation is an Air Force award created in March of 2004 for Air Force units that distinguishes itself by extraordinary heroism while engaged in armed combat with an enemy force. These military ribbons are awarded for actions show... read more
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a relative newcomer to the pantheon of military ribbons. Defense Secretary Weinberger established it in June of 1981, and it is the only unit award given by the Defense Department. These military awards are th... read more
Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
The first version of a Presidential Unit Citation was established in February of 1942 for the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps, and was called the Distinguished Unit Citation. Two decades later, the Navy and the Marine Corps changed their vers... read more
Presidential Unit Citation
The first version of a Presidential Unit Citation was established in February of 1942 for the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps, and was called the Distinguished Unit Citation. After the Air Force was made a separate branch in 1947 they also ad... read more
Air Force Combat Action Medal
The Air Force Combat Action Medal is one of the newest Air Force medals, having first been awarded in June of 2007, though it may retroactively be bestowed on Air Force personnel back to September 11, 2001. These Air Force Medals are awarded to ai... read more