Resource Library
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart was originally created by George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War. While Douglas MacArthur promoted the change of name and design in 1932, the continuous history of these ... read more
Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit An Act of Congress created the Legion of Merit on July 20, 1942, as one of only six special military medals issued as a “Neck Order” which could be given to U.S. military personnel as well as foreign military personnel and dignita... read more
Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medal
The Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal was authorized by the Navy in 1962 and they provided for its retroactive presentation for qualifying service during any period of time back to the year 1958. These Navy medals were considered the replac... read more
Navy Good Conduct Medal
The branch of military service with the oldest Good Conduct Medal is the Navy. Its first of four versions dates back to 1869, and was issued between 1870 and 1884. In those days, this Navy medal was not meant to be worn on the uniform. It was m... read more
Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon
Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal established the Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon and authorized it for issuance between 1930 and 1941. Due to the massive call-up of reserves for the World War II conflict, these Navy ribbons were disconti... read more
Prisoner of War Medal
It is an interesting fact of history that until 1985, there was no military medal issued to service persons honoring their travails as prisoners of war for either of the two World Wars, not to mention the smaller conflicts that followed World War ... read more
Navy "E" Ribbon
In July of 1976 the Secretary of the Navy established the Navy E Ribbon, more fully called the Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon. These Navy ribbons are presented to units for permanent duty on Navy ships that have won a battle efficiency competition... read more
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
In July of 1967 the Secretary of the Navy ordered the establishment of the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation. These mid-level Navy decorations are bestowed in the name of the Secretary of the Navy to both Navy and Marine Corps units. To win the... read more
China Service Medal
The China Service Medal was created by an Act of Congress in August of 1940. These military medals were established to honor US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel who served ashore in China or were attached to vessels that operated in ... read more
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is another of the many military medals President Roosevelt created during his World War II years, in late 1942. The purpose of these military ribbons and medals was to honor US military personnel for service in ... read more