Coast Guard Ribbons & Medals
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross was created by an Act of Congress in February of 1919, and is the equivalent of the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross, and the Air Force’s Air Force Cross. These US military medals are the second... (read more)Defense Distinguished Service Medal
In July of 1970, Richard Nixon’s executive order created one of the newest of the major personal accomplishment awards, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. These US military medals are issued through the De... (read more)Transportation Distinguished Service Medal
The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by Congress in August of 1949. Since Congress recognized different types and degrees of heroism and meritorious service, it created separate versions of... (read more)Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by Congress in August of 1949. Since Congress recognized different types and degrees of heroism and meritorious service, it created separate versions of... (read more)Silver Star
Congress authorized the creation of the Silver Star as a U.S. Navy military award On August 7, 1942. Four months later, on December 15, 1942, Cong... (read more)
Defense Superior Service Medal
On February 6, 1976 President Ford issued an Executive Order creating the Defense Superior Service Medal as one of the Defense Department awarded medals of America. These US military medals are presented by the ... (read more)Legion of Merit
On July 20, 1942, an Act of Congress created the Legion of Merit 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 per... (read more)Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross is one of the more interesting medals of America that has ever been created. Service persons of friendly foreign nations serving with the U.S. during wartime are eligible to receiv... (read more)Coast Guard Heroism Medal
The Coast Guard Medal is a decoration of the United States Military that is awarded to any service member who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Coast Guard, distinguishes themselves by heroism... (read more)Bronze Star
On February 4, 1944 President Roosevelt created the Bronze Star with an Executive Order. These US military medals were intended to be the ground equivalent of the Air Medal. These military ribbons and medals ar... (read more)Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is one of the oldest medals of America. It was originally created by George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War. While Douglas MacArthur pr... (read more)Defense Meritorious Service Medal
All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals, but the highest version is a separate issue by the Department of Defense, called the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. These military ribbo... (read more)Meritorious Service Medal
All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals. These are the same military ribbons and medals, with almost identical criteria. These medals of America were created by President Lyndon Joh... (read more)Air Medal
Air Medal military decorations were created by Franklin D. Roosevelt with an Executive Order effective on May11, 1942, which also made ... (read more)
Joint Service Commendation Medal
In 1963 the Department of Defense created their own version of the Commendation Medal, which each of the five branches of the US military award their servicepersons. This was a Viet Nam era award added to the ... (read more)
Coast Guard Commendation Medal
In 1943, both the Coast Guard and the Navy authorized the creations of Commendation Medals, though they were only available as military ribbons. It was 17 years before they authorized their own branch specific C... (read more)D.O.T 911 Medal
The Department of Transportation 9-11 Medal was established by Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. EFFECTIVE DATES The Department of Transpo... (read more)Joint Service Achievement Medal
The Department of Defense created the authorization for its Joint Service Achievement Medal in 1983. These US military medals are considered superior to any of the individual service branch Achievement Medals. ... (read more)Coast Guard Achievement Medal
In 1967, The Coast Guard created its branch specific version of the Achievement Medal, which is one of the medals of America that every service branch offers. These US military medals are awarded for outstanding... (read more)Prisoner of War Medal
Few people realize that it is a fact of history that 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 ... (read more)Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal
In 1923, the Coast Guard followed the Navy and the Army by adding a Good Conduct Medal to their growing list of the medals of America. These original Coast Guard medals remain largely unchanged to the current da... (read more)Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal
In 1963 the Coast Guard created its Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medals as their latest entry into the medals of America. These Coast Guard ribbons and medals are awarded for a standard satisfactory reserve ... (read more)Navy Expeditionary Medal
In August of 1936 the Department of the Navy added the Navy Expeditionary Medal to the prestigious list of US military medals. These medals of America were issued by an Order of the Department of the Navy. Thes... (read more)China Service Medal
The China Service Medal was a relatively early entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America when it was created by an Act of Congress in August of 1940. These US military medals were established to hon... (read more)American Defense Medal
President Franklin Roosevelt expanded the medals of America when he created The American Defense Service Medal with an Executive Order in June of 1941. He wanted these US military medals to recognize service in ... (read more)American Campaign Medal
President Franklin Roosevelt created the American Campaign Medal as an early entry into the pantheon of the medals of America with an Executive Order on November 6, 1942. This was shortly after his creation of a... (read more)Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is another of the many medals of America that President Roosevelt created in late 1942 during the World War II years. The purpose of these US military medals was to honor US mi... (read more)European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was created and added to the medals of America, like so many other World War II medals, by an executive order issued by President Franklin Roosevelt in November ... (read more)WWII Victory Medal
In July of 1945 the United States Congress created the World War II Victory Medal as a new addition to the pantheon of the medals of America. These US military medals were to honor the service of all United Stat... (read more)Navy Occupation Service
The United States War Department created the Army of Occupation Medal in 1946 after World War II to recognize occupation service by United States military personnel in either Germany or Japan. These military med... (read more)Medal for Humane Action
The United States Congress created the Medal for Humane Action on July 20, 1949 as a general services addition to the prestigious medals of America. These US military medals were presented to military personnel ... (read more)National Defense Service Medal
President Dwight Eisenhower created the National Defense Service Medal as an addition to the hallowed medals of America, in 1953. These US military medals were intended to honor any service person who served hon... (read more)Korea Service Medal
In November of 1950 President Harry Truman created the Korean Service Medal as the newest entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals were intended to honor service person’s ... (read more)Antarctica Service Medal
In July of 1960 the US Congress established the Antarctica Service Medal as its newest addition to the medals of America. These US military medals replaced a commemorative decoration which had been issued betwee... (read more)USCG Arctic Service Medal
In 1976 Admiral Owen Siler of the United States Coast Guard established the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal as the first entry of its kind into the medals of America. These US military medals and ribbons are aw... (read more)Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
President John Kennedy created the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal in 1961 as his first entry into the medals of America. These US military medals are presented to military personnel for participation in any mi... (read more)Vietnam Service Medal
In July of 1960 President Lyndon Johnson issued and Executive Order establishing the Vietnam Service Medal as his first entry into the medals of America. These US military medals are issued to recognize service ... (read more)Southwest Asia Service Medal
In March of 1991 President George H. W. Bush issued an Executive Order creating The Southwest Asia Service Medal and entering it in the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals are inten... (read more)Kosovo Campaign
The Kosovo Campaign Medal was the first of the medals of America established by President Bill Clinton in May of 2000. These US military medals recognize military service performed in Kosovo from 1999 to the cur... (read more)Afghanistan Campaign Medal
In November of 2004 President George W. Bush issued an Executive Order that established the Afghanistan Campaign Medal as his newest entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military meda... (read more)Iraq Campaign Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal was created by President George W. Bush in May of 2004 at about the same time its fraternal twin, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, was added to the medals of America. These US military med... (read more)Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary)
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal was one of two early medals of America created by President George W. Bush in March of 2003, by Executive Order. These US military medals recognize service personn... (read more)Global War on Terrorism (Service)
In March of 2003 President George W. Bush created a pair of medals of America for the War on Terror. The second of these US military medals was named The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. These military me... (read more)Korea Defense Service Medal
President George W. Bush created The Korea Defense Service Medal as a third Executive Order issue which he added to the medals of America in 2002. These US military medals are authorized for service members who ... (read more)Armed Forces Service Medal
The Armed Forces Service Medal is one of the few medals of America that President Bill Clinton created. All five branches of the military began issuing these military medals and ribbons in January of 1996. Thes... (read more)Humanitarian Service Medal
One way new military awards come into existence is by Presidential Order. President Ford authorized the creation of a new military award to add to the medals of America which he called the Humanitarian Service M... (read more)Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal was created by George H.W. Bush in January of 1993 as one of the newest medals of America, but was not issued until December of that same year. These US military ... (read more)Armed Forces Reserve Medal
All five branches of the US military Services offer the same Armed Forces Reserve Medal which is presented to both officers and enlisted service persons in all five military Reserve or National Guard units. Thes... (read more)Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal
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 prese... (read more)Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
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 prese... (read more)United Nations Korea Service Medal
The United Nations Service Medal for Korea was established by the United Nations in December of 1950. These military awards are not US military medals, but international awards, and unlike the medals of America,... (read more)United Nations Medal
(read more)NATO Medal
NATO Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. There are currently ten versions of th... (read more)NATO Kosovo Medal
NATO Kosovo Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. These military medals were auth... (read more)NATO ISAF Medal
(read more)Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
The Vietnam Campaign Medal was created in 1966 by the Republic of South Vietnam and given to any member of the United States military who served in the Vietnam War. These military medals were the most commonly b... (read more)Inter-American Defense Board Medal
The Inter-American Defense Board Medal was established in December of 1945 by a Pan-American defense group called the Inter-American Defense Board which is devoted to the security of all the countries who are mem... (read more)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
The Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia version – was established by King Fahd ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia to recognize service during the Liberation of Kuwait. These military medals are awarded to members ... (read more)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait)
Kuwait Liberation (Kuwait) Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the government of Kuwait. The Kuwait Liberation Medal was offered to US s... (read more)Republic of Korea War Service Medal
The Republic of Korea War Service Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by a grateful Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea War Service Me... (read more)Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Medal
Various United States military services award Marksmanship medals and ribbons, including the Air Force, the Navy and the Coast Guard. These medals of America are awarded to service persons who pass a weapons qua... (read more)Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Medal
Some type of marksmanship ribbon is awarded by three of the Unites States service branches: the Air Force, the Navy and the Coast Guard. These medals of America are awarded to service persons who pass a weapons ... (read more)Navy Cross
The Navy Cross was created by an Act of Congress in February of 1919, and is the equivalent of the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross, and the Air Force’s Air Force Cross. These US military medals are the second... (read more)Defense Distinguished Service Medal
In July of 1970, Richard Nixon’s executive order created one of the newest of the major personal accomplishment awards, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. These US military medals are issued through the De... (read more)Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by Congress in August of 1949. Since Congress recognized different types and degrees of heroism and meritorious service, it created separate versions of... (read more)Silver Star
Congress authorized the creation of the Silver Star as a U.S. Navy military award On August 7, 1942. Four months later, on December 15, 1942, Congress extended that authorization to create a U.S. Army decoration... (read more)Defense Superior Service Medal
On February 6, 1976 President Ford issued an Executive Order creating the Defense Superior Service Medal as one of the Defense Department awarded medals of America. These US military medals are presented by the ... (read more)Legion of Merit
On July 20, 1942, an Act of Congress created the Legion of Merit 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 per... (read more)Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross is one of the more interesting medals of America that has ever been created. Service persons of friendly foreign nations serving with the U.S. during wartime are eligible to receiv... (read more)Coast Guard Heroism Medal
The Coast Guard Medal is a decoration of the United States Military that is awarded to any service member who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Coast Guard, distinguishes themselves by heroism... (read more)Bronze Star
On February 4, 1944 President Roosevelt created the Bronze Star with an Executive Order. These US military medals were intended to be the ground equivalent of the Air Medal. These(read more)
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is one of the oldest medals of America. It was originally created by George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War. While Douglas MacArthur pr... (read more)Defense Meritorious Service Medal
All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals, but the highest version is a separate issue by the Department of Defense, called the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. These military ribbo... (read more)Meritiorious Service Medal
All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals. These are the same military ribbons and medals, with almost identical criteria. These medals of America were created by President Lyndon Joh... (read more)Air Medal
Air Medal military decorations were created by Franklin D. Roosevelt with an Executive Order effective on May11, 1942, which also made provisions for retroactive awards to September 8, 1939. These medals of Amer... (read more)Joint Service Commendation Medal
In 1963 the Department of Defense created their own version of the Commendation Medal, which each of the five branches of the US military award their servicepersons. This was a Viet Nam era award added to the pa... (read more)Coast Guard Commendation Medal
In 1943, both the Coast Guard and the Navy authorized the creations of Commendation Medals, though they were only available as military ribbons. It was 17 years before they authorized their own branch specific C... (read more)D.O.T 911 Medal
(read more)Joint Service Achievement Medal
The Department of Defense created the authorization for its Joint Service Achievement Medal in 1983. These US military medals are considered superior to any of the individual service branch Achievement Medals. ... (read more)Coast Guard Achievement Medal
In 1967, The Coast Guard created its branch specific version of the Achievement Medal, which is one of the medals of America that every service branch offers. These US military medals are awarded for outstanding... (read more)Prisoner of War Medal
Few people realize that it is a fact of history that 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 ... (read more)Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal
In 1923, the Coast Guard followed the Navy and the Army by adding a Good Conduct Medal to their growing list of the medals of America. These original Coast Guard medals remain largely unchanged to the current da... (read more)Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal
In 1963 the Coast Guard created its Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medals as their latest entry into the medals of America. These Coast Guard ribbons and medals are awarded for a standard satisfactory reserve ... (read more)Navy Expeditionary Medal
In August of 1936 the Department of the Navy added the Navy Expeditionary Medal to the prestigious list of US military medals. These medals of America were issued by an Order of the Department of the Navy. Thes... (read more)China Service Medal
The China Service Medal was a relatively early entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America when it was created by an Act of Congress in August of 1940. These US military medals were established to hon... (read more)American Defense Medal
President Franklin Roosevelt expanded the medals of America when he created The American Defense Service Medal with an Executive Order in June of 1941. He wanted these US military medals to recognize service in ... (read more)American Campaign Medal
President Franklin Roosevelt created the American Campaign Medal as an early entry into the pantheon of the medals of America with an Executive Order on November 6, 1942. This was shortly after his creation of a... (read more)Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is another of the many medals of America that President Roosevelt created in late 1942 during the World War II years. The purpose of these US military medals was to honor US mi... (read more)European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was created and added to the medals of America, like so many other World War II medals, by an executive order issued by President Franklin Roosevelt in November ... (read more)WWII Victory Medal
In July of 1945 the United States Congress created the World War II Victory Medal as a new addition to the pantheon of the medals of America. These US military medals were to honor the service of all United Stat... (read more)Navy Occupation Service
The United States War Department created the Army of Occupation Medal in 1946 after World War II to recognize occupation service by United States military personnel in either Germany or Japan. These military med... (read more)Medal for Humane Action
The United States Congress created the Medal for Humane Action on July 20, 1949 as a general services addition to the prestigious medals of America. These US military medals were presented to military personnel ... (read more)National Defense Service Medal
President Dwight Eisenhower created the National Defense Service Medal as an addition to the hallowed medals of America, in 1953. These US military medals were intended to honor any service person who served hon... (read more)Korea Service Medal
In November of 1950 President Harry Truman created the Korean Service Medal as the newest entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals were intended to honor service person’s ... (read more)Antarctica Service Medal
In July of 1960 the US Congress established the Antarctica Service Medal as its newest addition to the medals of America. These US military medals replaced a commemorative decoration which had been issued betwee... (read more)USCG Arctic Service Medal
In 1976 Admiral Owen Siler of the United States Coast Guard established the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal as the first entry of its kind into the medals of America. These US military medals and ribbons are aw... (read more)Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
President John Kennedy created the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal in 1961 as his first entry into the medals of America. These US military medals are presented to military personnel for participation in any mi... (read more)Vietnam Service Medal
In July of 1960 President Lyndon Johnson issued and Executive Order establishing the Vietnam Service Medal as his first entry into the medals of America. These US military medals are issued to recognize service ... (read more)Southwest Asia Service Medal
In March of 1991 President George H. W. Bush issued an Executive Order creating The Southwest Asia Service Medal and entering it in the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals are int... (read more)
Kosovo Campaign
The Kosovo Campaign Medal was the first of the medals of America established by President Bill Clinton in May of 2000. These US military medals recognize military service performed in Kosovo from 1999 to the cur... (read more)Afghanistan Campaign Medal
In November of 2004 President George W. Bush issued an Executive Order that established the Afghanistan Campaign Medal as his newest entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military meda... (read more)Iraq Campaign Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal was created by President George W. Bush in May of 2004 at about the same time its fraternal twin, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, was added to the medals of America. These US military med... (read more)Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary)
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal was one of two early medals of America created by President George W. Bush in March of 2003, by Executive Order. These US military medals recognize service perso... (read more)
Global War on Terrorism (Service)
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal was one of two early medals of America created by President George W. Bush in March of 2003, by Executive Order. These US military medals recognize service personn... (read more)Korea Defense Service Medal
President George W. Bush created The Korea Defense Service Medal as a third Executive Order issue which he added to the medals of America in 2002. These US military medals are authorized for service members who ... (read more)Armed Forces Service Medal
The Armed Forces Service Medal is one of the few medals of America that President Bill Clinton created. All five branches of the military began issuing these military medals and ribbons in January of 1996. Thes... (read more)Humanitarian Service Medal
One way new military awards come into existence is by Presidential Order. President Ford authorized the creation of a new military award to add to the medals of America which he called the Humanitarian Service M... (read more)Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal was created by George H.W. Bush in January of 1993 as one of the newest medals of America, but was not issued until December of that same year. These US military ... (read more)Armed Forces Reserve Medal
All five branches of the US military Services offer the same Armed Forces Reserve Medal which is presented to both officers and enlisted service persons in all five military Reserve or National Guard units. Thes... (read more)Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal
The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was established in August of 1950 by the government of South Vietnam as one of its earliest military awards. Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medals are not US military medals, ... (read more)Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
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 prese... (read more)United Nations Korea Service Medal
The United Nations Service Medal for Korea was established by the United Nations in December of 1950. These military awards are not US military medals, but international awards, and unlike the medals of America,... (read more)United Nations Medal
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 awar... (read more)NATO Medal
NATO Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. There are currently ten versions of th... (read more)NATO Kosovo Medal
NATO Kosovo Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. These military medals were auth... (read more)NATO ISAF Medal
NATO Non-Article Five Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. These military medals... (read more)Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
The Vietnam Campaign Medal was created in 1966 by the Republic of South Vietnam and given to any member of the United States military who served in the Vietnam War. These military medals were the most commonly b... (read more)Inter-American Defense Board Medal
The Inter-American Defense Board Medal was established in December of 1945 by a Pan-American defense group called the Inter-American Defense Board which is devoted to the security of all the countries who are mem... (read more)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
The Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia version – was established by King Fahd ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia to recognize service during the Liberation of Kuwait. These military medals are awarded to members ... (read more)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait)
Kuwait Liberation (Kuwait) Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the government of Kuwait. The Kuwait Liberation Medal was offered to US s... (read more)Republic of Korea War Service Medal
The Republic of Korea War Service Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by a grateful Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea War Service Me... (read more)Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Medal
Various United States military services award Marksmanship medals and ribbons, including the Air Force, the Navy and the Coast Guard. These medals of America are awarded to service persons who pass a weapons qua... (read more)Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Medal
Some type of marksmanship ribbon is awarded by three of the Unites States service branches: the Air Force, the Navy and the Coast Guard. These medals of America are awarded to service persons who pass a weapons ... (read more)Navy Cross
The Navy Cross was created by an Act of Congress in February of 1919, and is the equivalent of the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross, and the Air Force’s Air Force Cross. These US military medals ... (read more)
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
In July of 1970, Richard Nixon’s executive order created one of the newest of the major personal accomplishment awards, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. These US military medals are issued throug... (read more)
Transportation Distinguished Service Medal
The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by Congress in August of 1949. Since Congress recognized different types and degrees of heroism and meritorious service, it created separate versions ... (read more)
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by Congress in August of 1949. Since Congress recognized different types and degrees of heroism and meritorious service, it created separate versions ... (read more)
Silver Star
Congress authorized the creation of the Silver Star as a U.S. Navy military award On August 7, 1942. Four months later, on December 15, 1942, Congress extended that authorization to create a U.S. Army decoration... (read more)Defense Superior Service Medal
On February 6, 1976 President Ford issued an Executive Order creating the Defense Superior Service Medal as one of the Defense Department awarded medals of America. These US military medals and (read more)
Legion of Merit
On July 20, 1942, an Act of Congress created the Legion of Merit 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 per... (read more)Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross is one of the more interesting medals of America that has ever been created. Service persons of friendly foreign nations serving with the U.S. during wartime are eligible to rece... (read more)
Coast Guard Heroism Medal
The Coast Guard Medal is a decoration of the United States Military that is awarded to any service member who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Coast Guard, distinguishes themselves by hero... (read more)
Gold Lifesaving Medal
The Lifesaving Medals may be awarded to any member of the U.S. military, or to a U.S. civilian, who rescues, or endeavors to rescue, any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other peril of water. The resc... (read more)
Bronze Star
On February 4, 1944 President Roosevelt created the Bronze Star with an Executive Order. These US military medals were intended to be the ground equivalent of the Air Medal. These military ribbons and med... (read more)
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is one of the oldest medals of America. It was originally created by George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War. While Douglas MacArthur pr... (read more)Defense Meritorious Service Medal
All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals, but the highest version is a separate issue by the Department of Defense, called the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. These military rib... (read more)
Meritorious Service Medal
All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals. These are the same military ribbons and medals, with almost identical criteria. These medals of America were created by President Lyndon J... (read more)
Air Medal
Air Medal military decorations were created by Franklin D. Roosevelt with an Executive Order effective on May11, 1942, which also made provisions for retroactive awards to September 8, 1939. These (read more)
Silver Lifesaving Medal
The Lifesaving Medals may be awarded to any member of the U.S. military, or to a U.S. civilian, who rescues, or endeavors to rescue, any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other peril of water. The resc... (read more)
Joint Service Commendation Medal
In 1963 the Department of Defense created their own version of the Commendation Medal, which each of the five branches of the US military award their servicepersons. This was a Viet Nam era award added to the ... (read more)
Coast Guard Commendation Medal
In 1943, both the Coast Guard and the Navy authorized the creations of Commendation Medals, though they were only available as military ribbons. It was 17 years before they authorized their own branch specific... (read more)
D.O.T 911 Medal
The Department of Transportation 9-11 Medal was established by Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. EFFECTIVE DATES The Department of Transportati... (read more)
Joint Service Achievement Medal
The Department of Defense created the authorization for its Joint Service Achievement Medal in 1983. These US military medals are considered superior to any of the individual service branch Achievement Medals.... (read more)
Coast Guard Achievement Medal
In 1967, The Coast Guard created its branch specific version of the Achievement Medal, which is one of the medals of America that every service branch offers. These US military medals are awarded for outstandi... (read more)
Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon
(read more)Navy/Marine Corp Presidential Unit Citation
In February of 1942 the first version of a Presidential Unit Citation was established for the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps. These (read more)
Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation
In February of 1942 the first version of a Presidential Unit Citation was established for the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps. It was called the Distinguished Unit Citation. Two decades later, the Navy and... (read more)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Defense Secretary Weinberger established The Joint Meritorious Unit Award in June of 1981which makes it one of the newer medals of America. These awards are among the few military medals the Department of Defe... (read more)
Coast Guard Unit Commendation
In 1963 the Coast Guard created its newest entry in the medals of America with the Unit Commendation. These US military medals and ribbons were created for presentation to members of any Coast Guard unit which... (read more)
Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation
In November of 1973 the Commandant of the Coast Guard established the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation in the prestigious ranks of the medals of America. These US military medals are awarded in the na... (read more)
Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation
The Coast Guard created the Meritorious Team Commendation in December of 1993. These Coast Guard ribbons are the second lowest unit award the Coast Guard presents. These Coast Guard decorations are awarded to ... (read more)
Coast Guard E Ribbon
In September of 1990 the Coast Guard established an “E” Ribbon as one of the newest medals of America. It is their equivalent of the Navy’s “E” ribbon which has been around since ... (read more)
Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation
The Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation is unusual in the annals of the medals of America, in that it is a one-time commemorative award. These Coast Guard (read more)
Prisoner of War Medal
Few people realize that it is a fact of history that 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 ... (read more)Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal
In 1923, the Coast Guard followed the Navy and the Army by adding a Good Conduct Medal to their growing list of the military medals ... (read more)
Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal
In 1963 the Coast Guard created its Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medals as their latest entry into the medals of America. These Coast Guard military ribbons and military medals are awarded for a standard s... (read more)
Coast Guard Enlisted person of the year Ribbon
The Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon is a decoration of the United States Coast Guard which was established in 1999, though retroactive to 1994, by order of the Commandant of the Coast Guard. The Enlisted Pe... (read more)
Navy Expeditionary Medal
In August of 1936 the Department of the Navy added the Navy Expeditionary Medal to the prestigious list of US military medals. These medals of America were issued by an Order of the Department of the Navy. The... (read more)
China Service Medal
The China Service Medal was a relatively early entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America when it was created by an Act of Congress in August of 1940. These US military medals were established to h... (read more)
American Defense Medal
President Franklin Roosevelt expanded the medals of America when he created The American Defense Service Medal with an Executive Order in June of 1941. He wanted these US military medals to recognize service i... (read more)
American Campaign Medal
President Franklin Roosevelt created the American Campaign Medal as an early entry into the pantheon of the medals of America with an Executive Order on November 6, 1942. This was shortly after his creation of... (read more)
Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is another of the many medals of America that President Roosevelt created in late 1942 during the World War II years. The purpose of these US military medals was to honor US ... (read more)
European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was created and added to the medals of America, like so many other World War II medals, by an executive order issued by President Franklin Roosevelt in Novemb... (read more)
WWII Victory Medal
In July of 1945 the United States Congress created the World War II Victory Medal as a new addition to the pantheon of the medals of America. These US military medals were to honor the service of all United St... (read more)
Navy Occupation Service
The United States War Department created the Army of Occupation Medal in 1946 after World War II to recognize occupation service by United States military personnel in either Germany or Japan. These military m... (read more)
Medal for Humane Action
The United States Congress created the Medal for Humane Action on July 20, 1949 as a general services addition to the prestigious military medals of America. These US military medals were presented to military... (read more)
National Defense Service Medal
President Dwight Eisenhower created the National Defense Service Medal as an addition to the hallowed medals of America, in 1953. These US military medals were intended to honor any service person who served h... (read more)
Korea Service Medal
In November of 1950 President Harry Truman created the Korean Service Medal as the newest entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals were intended to honor service person&... (read more)
Antarctica Service Medal
In July of 1960 the US Congress established the Antarctica Service Medal as its newest addition to the medals of America. These US military medals replaced a commemorative decoration which had been issued betw... (read more)
USCG Arctic Service Medal
In 1976 Admiral Owen Siler of the United States Coast Guard established the Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal as the first entry of its kind into the medals of America. These US military medals and military rib... (read more)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
President John Kennedy created the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal in 1961 as his first entry into the medals of America. These US military medals and military ribbons are presented to military personnel for ... (read more)
Vietnam Service Medal
In July of 1960 President Lyndon Johnson issued and Executive Order establishing the Vietnam Service Medal as his first entry into the medals of America. These US military medals are issued to recognize servic... (read more)
Southwest Asia Service Medal
In March of 1991 President George H. W. Bush issued an Executive Order creating The Southwest Asia Service Medal and entering it in the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals are int... (read more)
Kosovo Campaign
The Kosovo Campaign Medal was the first of the medals of America established by President Bill Clinton in May of 2000. These US military medals recognize military service performed in Kosovo from 1999 to the c... (read more)
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
In November of 2004 President George W. Bush issued an Executive Order that established the Afghanistan Campaign Medal as his newest entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military me... (read more)
Iraq Campaign Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal was created by President George W. Bush in May of 2004 at about the same time its fraternal twin, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, was added to the medals of America. These US military m... (read more)
Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary)
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal was one of two early medals of America created by President George W. Bush in March of 2003, by Executive Order. These US military medals recognize service perso... (read more)
Global War on Terrorism (Service)
In March of 2003 President George W. Bush created a pair of medals of America for the War on Terror. The second of these US military medals was named The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. These military m... (read more)
Korea Defense Service Medal
President George W. Bush created The Korea Defense Service Medal as a third Executive Order issue which he added to the medals of America in 2002. These US military medals are authorized for service members wh... (read more)
Armed Forces Service Medal
The Armed Forces Service Medal is one of the few medals of America that President Bill Clinton created. All five branches of the military began issuing these military medals and military ribbons in Januar... (read more)
Humanitarian Service Medal
One way new military awards come into existence is by Presidential Order. President Ford authorized the creation of a new military award to add to the medals of America which he called the Humanitarian Service... (read more)
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal was created by George H.W. Bush in January of 1993 as one of the newest medals of America, but was not issued until December of that same year. These US militar... (read more)
DOT 911
The Coast Guard DOT 911 Medal is unusual among the military medals of America, in that it is issued by the Department of Transportation rather than by the President, the Congress, the Department of Defens... (read more)
The Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon
The Commandant of the Coast Guard established the Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon in 1987. These US military awards honor certain non-combative operations of meritorious service pe... (read more)
Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon
The Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon was created the Commandant of the Coast Guard in 1984. These US military medals are awarded to honor Coast Guard personnel who complete more than 12 consecutive months of sea... (read more)
Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon
The Coast Guard created their Restricted Duty Ribbon in March of 1984, and it is another example of a unique military award given to only one branch of the United States military. These US military medals reco... (read more)
Coast Guard Basic Training Honor Graduate
Both the Air Force and the Coast Guard offer medals of America as awards for exceptional recruits who graduate at the top of their basic training classes, but they are the only ones of the five United State mi... (read more)
Coast Guard Recruiting Ribbon
The Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon was created by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on November 2, 1995. These US military medals were made retroactive to January 1, 1980. These medals of ... (read more)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
All five branches of the US military Services offer the same Armed Forces Reserve Medal which is presented to both officers and enlisted service persons in all five military Reserve or National Guard units. Th... (read more)
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
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... (read more)Korean Presidential Unit Citation
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 Amer... (read more)Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
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 a... (read more)Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was established in August of 1950 by the government of South Vietnam as one of its earliest military awards. Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medals are not US military medals, ... (read more)Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation
(read more)United Nations Korea Service Medal
The United Nations Service Medal for Korea was established by the United Nations in December of 1950. These military awards are not US military medals, but international awards, and unlike the medals of America,... (read more)United Nations Medal
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 awar... (read more)NATO Medal
NATO Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. There are currently ten versions of th... (read more)NATO Kosovo Medal
NATO Kosovo Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. These military medals were auth... (read more)NATO ISAF
NATO Non-Article Five Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. These military medals... (read more)Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
The Vietnam Campaign Medal was created in 1966 by the Republic of South Vietnam and given to any member of the United States military who served in the Vietnam War. These military medals were the most commonly b... (read more)Inter-American Defense Board Medal
The Inter-American Defense Board Medal was established in December of 1945 by a Pan-American defense group called the Inter-American Defense Board which is devoted to the security of all the countries who are mem... (read more)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
The Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia version – was established by King Fahd ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia to recognize service during the Liberation of Kuwait. These military medals are awarded to members ... (read more)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait)
Kuwait Liberation (Kuwait) Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the government of Kuwait. The Kuwait Liberation Medal was offered to US s... (read more)Republic of Korea War Service Medal
The Republic of Korea War Service Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by a grateful Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea War Service Me... (read more)Coast Guard Rifle Marksman
Various United States military services award Marksmanship medals and ribbons, including the Air Force, the Navy and the Coast Guard. These medals of America are awarded to service persons who pass a weapons qua... (read more)Coast Guard Pistol Marksman
Some type of marksmanship ribbon is awarded by three of the Unites States service branches: the Air Force, the Navy and the Coast Guard. These medals of America are awarded to service persons who pass a weapon... (read more)
