United States military decorations

United States military decorations
Name	United States military decorations
Caption	The Medal of Honor, the highest and most prestigious award.
Awarded by	The Department of Defense and the Armed Forces
Type	Military decoration
Eligibility	Military personnel
Status	Currently awarded
First award	Revolutionary War era
Last award	Ongoing
Total	Varies by award
Total awarded posthumously	Varies by award
Total recipients	Varies by award
Higher	None (Medal of Honor is preeminent)
Same	Varies by service branch
Lower	Service ribbons and campaign medals

United States military decorations. These awards are formal recognitions for acts of heroism, meritorious service, or participation in specific campaigns, granted by the United States Department of Defense and the individual service branches. The system has evolved from simple badges of honor in the American Revolutionary War to a complex hierarchy of honors codified in the 20th century. These decorations serve to acknowledge valor, bolster morale, and preserve the history of military service within the United States Armed Forces.

History and evolution

The earliest forms of recognition were often informal, such as the Badge of Military Merit created by George Washington during the Continental Army's tenure. Following the American Civil War, the first formalized medal for enlisted personnel, the Medal of Honor, was established by an Act of Congress in 1861. The system expanded significantly after World War I and World War II, leading to the creation of the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, and Distinguished Flying Cross. The National Security Act of 1947 and subsequent Executive Order 11448 helped standardize awards across the newly unified Department of Defense, integrating traditions from the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, and United States Coast Guard.

Categories and types

Decorations are primarily divided into awards for valor in combat and for meritorious service or achievement. The highest tier consists of combat valor awards like the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross. The second major category includes meritorious service decorations such as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Bronze Star Medal. A separate category encompasses achievement and commendation awards like the Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. Additionally, unit awards, such as the Presidential Unit Citation, recognize collective actions of a specific military unit.

Order of precedence

A strict order of precedence governs how multiple decorations are worn on a uniform. This hierarchy is established by Department of Defense directives and individual service regulations. The Medal of Honor is always preeminent, followed by other valor awards like the Distinguished Service Cross. Subsequent positions are held by the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, service-specific distinguished service medals, the Silver Star, and the Legion of Merit. Lower in precedence are the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Soldier's Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal, with commendation and achievement medals following.

Awarding process and criteria

The process typically begins with a recommendation from a service member's chain of command, which is then investigated and reviewed by appropriate boards. For the highest awards like the Medal of Honor, approval authority rests with the President of the United States and requires confirmation by the United States Congress. Criteria are explicitly defined; for instance, the Distinguished Service Cross requires extraordinary heroism not justifying the Medal of Honor, while the Purple Heart is awarded for wounds received in action against an enemy. Each service branch, including the United States Space Force, maintains its own regulations implementing these standards.

Notable decorations and recipients

The most renowned decoration is the Medal of Honor, with notable recipients including Audie Murphy, Alvin York, and Douglas MacArthur. The Navy Cross has been awarded to figures like John F. Kennedy and Chesty Puller. The Silver Star was earned by individuals such as George S. Patton and John McCain. The Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to Theodore Roosevelt Jr. for actions during the Normandy landings. Unit awards like the Presidential Unit Citation were granted to the defenders during the Battle of Wake Island.

Display and wear regulations

Specific regulations, detailed in manuals like Army Regulation 670-1, dictate the proper wear and display of decorations on service and dress uniforms. Awards are mounted on metal bars or ribbons and worn in order of precedence on the left side of the chest, with devices such as oak leaf clusters or valor devices indicating multiple awards or combat distinction. Miniature medals are authorized for formal evening wear. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and other organizations often provide guidance on the proper mounting and display of awards for retired personnel.

Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States