Military awards and decorations of the United States
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| Military awards and decorations of the United States | |
|---|---|
| Name | Military awards and decorations of the United States |
| Caption | Insignia examples: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart |
| Established | 1775–present |
| Presented by | United States Armed Forces |
| Type | Military decorations |
Military awards and decorations of the United States are the system of decorations and service ribbons awarded by the United States Department of Defense, United States Department of the Army, United States Department of the Navy, and United States Department of the Air Force to recognize valor, merit, service, and campaign participation. The system evolved from Revolutionary War-era brevet promotions and foreign-model medals into a codified framework shaped by legislation such as the Act of June 22, 1941 and executive directives from the President of the United States. The awards intersect with institutions like the United States Congress, Supreme Court of the United States, and professional military education at places like the United States Military Academy and United States Naval Academy.
Overview and Historical Development
U.S. awards trace origins to early Revolutionary figures such as George Washington and units like the Continental Army, with later practice influenced by the Legion of Merit model from World War II and traditions from the British Army and French Army. Key milestones include creation of the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War, establishment of the Distinguished Service Cross in World War I, and the post-World War II reorganization under the Armed Forces joint administration and statutes codified in Title 10 of the United States Code. Presidential actions by figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Harry S. Truman shaped award precedents, while Congress has debated bills affecting awards policy tied to cases like the Medal of Honor Review Board and controversies involving figures including Douglas MacArthur and William Westmoreland.
Categories and Order of Precedence
Decorations are grouped into personal decorations, unit awards, service ribbons, and badges. Personal decorations include the Medal of Honor, service crosses like the Navy Cross and Air Force Cross, and decorations such as the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medal. Non-portable awards like campaign streamers reference operations including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and World War II theaters like Normandy and Iwo Jima. Order of precedence is governed by joint regulations issued by the Department of Defense and is applied across services including the United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, and United States Space Force. Judicial decisions from the United States Court of Appeals and administrative rulings from the Department of the Navy have clarified disputes over precedence for awards like the Purple Heart and medals authorized by the Secretary of the Army.
Individual Decorations and Awards
Individual awards recognize gallantry, distinguished service, achievement, and wounds received. Highest honors include the Medal of Honor and service crosses: Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross. Other decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier's Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. Awards for meritorious service or achievement include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Air Force Achievement Medal. Specialty decorations can reference campaigns or allies, involving figures like Dwight D. Eisenhower for campaign planning during World War II and operations planned at United States Central Command.
Unit and Campaign Awards
Unit awards recognize collective performance with examples such as the Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, and Army Superior Unit Award. Campaign and service medals honor participation in campaigns including the Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Streamers and emblems reference battles like Gettysburg, Leyte Gulf, and Saipan while reserve and National Guard awards intersect with the National Guard Bureau and state governors’ proclamations for state-level decorations like the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.
Award Criteria and Eligibility
Criteria derive from statutes, executive orders, and Department of Defense directives, with eligibility often tied to rank, date of service, and theater of operations such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Valor awards require actions under enemy fire as in jurisprudence around the Medal of Honor citations, while non-combat awards follow standards set by service secretaries and boards like the Army Awards and Decorations Board. Eligibility disputes have involved veterans’ advocates, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and legal claimants appearing before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Posthumous awards, retroactive upgrades, and revocations have occurred in high-profile cases involving figures like Audie Murphy and corrections prompted by research at institutions such as the National Archives.
Issuance, Authorization, and Wear Regulations
Authorization for awards flows through commanders, service secretaries, and the President of the United States; issuance is tracked by personnel systems at installations like Fort Bragg, Naval Station Norfolk, and Joint Base Andrews. Uniform wear and placement are regulated by service manuals such as the Army Regulation 670-1, Navy Uniform Regulations, and Air Force Instruction 36-2903, with joint policy coordinated by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Disputes over unauthorized wear or counterfeit decorations have led to enforcement actions by installations’ commanders, disciplinary proceedings under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and public controversies covered by media outlets including The Washington Post and Stars and Stripes.