United States military awards

United States military awards
Name	United States military awards
Established	18th–21st centuries
Presenter	United States Department of Defense; service secretaries; United States Congress
Type	Decorations, medals, ribbons, badges
Eligibility	Personnel of United States Armed Forces; occasionally foreign personnel, civilians, units

United States military awards are decorations, medals, ribbons, and badges conferred by the United States Department of Defense, the United States Congress, and the individual services—United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, United States Space Force, and United States Coast Guard—to recognize valor, achievement, service, and merit. Originating in the Revolutionary era and expanding through the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and post‑Cold War operations such as Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom, the system reflects evolving doctrines, technology, and law.

Overview and history

From the colonial period when governors authorized badges for militia service to formalized statutes enacted by United States Congress, decoration practice matured alongside institutions like the Continental Army, the early Navy, and the modern Department of Defense. The Medal of Honor originated in the American Civil War and was later codified by acts of United States Congress; other early awards include campaign medals from the Spanish–American War and interwar commemorative medals. World conflicts prompted proliferation of campaign ribbons and service awards used by commanders in theaters such as the European Theater of Operations and the Pacific War. Cold War-era directives and the Uniform Code of Military Justice influenced criteria, while presidential proclamations and service regulations shaped issuance for operations like Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve.

Criteria and eligibility

Eligibility derives from statutes, executive orders, and service regulations promulgated by leaders such as the Secretary of Defense and service secretaries. Awards like the Purple Heart and the Silver Star have legally defined elements—wounds received in action or gallantry under fire—while decorations such as the Joint Service Commendation Medal reflect joint operational criteria set by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Eligibility can extend to foreign military personnel through reciprocal arrangements with allies like United Kingdom, France, and Australia, and to civilians under contingencies such as Department of Defense civilian awards. Distinctions exist between awards for valor (e.g., Distinguished Service Cross), meritorious service (e.g., Legion of Merit), and campaign participation (e.g., Iraq Campaign Medal). Service branch regulations govern wear and cumulative recognition, including devices like oak leaf clusters, service stars, and numerals.

Orders of precedence and wear

An established order of precedence determines how decorations are displayed on service uniforms, with the Medal of Honor at the apex followed by service crosses and high decorations like the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross. Uniform regulations of the United States Army (AR 670‑1), United States Navy and United States Marine Corps (NAVPERS, MARCORP directives), and Air Force Instructions prescribe placement, ribbon rack construction, and devices such as combat distinguishing devices and valor "V" devices. Joint awards coordinate wear across services under Department of Defense Manual provisions. Ceremonial traditions inherited from units like the Green Berets and SEALs influence informal recognition, while historical precedents from the Grand Army of the Republic and veterans' organizations shaped civilian display customs.

Major awards and decorations

Prominent awards include the Medal of Honor, service crosses (Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross), the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Service Medal variants for each service, the Legion of Merit, and the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. Specialized decorations recognize aviation, intelligence, and special operations contributions, such as the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and the Defense Superior Service Medal. Legislative honors like the Congressional Gold Medal and campaign-specific medals such as the Vietnam Service Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal mark historical participation. Badges such as the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Navy SEAL trident denote qualification and are often worn in conjunction with decorations.

Unit, campaign, and service awards

Unit citations like the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation recognize collective actions in engagements such as the Battle of Midway or the Tet Offensive. Campaign medals—World War II Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal—and service ribbons such as the National Defense Service Medal record participation in designated operations and periods. Foreign unit awards, including those from Republic of Vietnam and allied governments, may be authorized for wear under specific conditions. Streamers, emblems, and colors displayed by regimental and shipboard organizations commemorate campaigns and battle honors dating to the War of 1812.

Awarding process and administration

Recommendation pathways start at unit commanders and proceed through staff channels to awards boards in commands like United States European Command or service personnel centers. Evidence—including after‑action reports, witness statements, and operational records—supports citations reviewed under criteria in service regulations and Department of Defense Manuals. Approval authorities vary: some awards require presidential or congressional action, others are approved at command or service levels. Administrative functions are handled by personnel offices such as the Army Human Resources Command and the Navy Personnel Command, which maintain records and authorize replacements.

Controversies and revocations

Controversies have arisen over perceived inflation, unequal recognition, and historical reassessments—cases involving awards from Iraq War and Vietnam War operations prompted reviews. High‑profile revocations and upgrades, such as posthumous upgrades to the Medal of Honor following reviews of racial or ethnic bias, involved congressional inquiries, executive orders, and veteran advocacy groups like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Administrative errors, fraudulent claims, and disputes over combat vs. noncombat criteria have led to rescissions and reforms in award policy, transparency measures, and review boards.

Category:United States military decorations and medals