United States military decorations
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| United States military decorations | |
|---|---|
| Name | United States military decorations |
| Caption | Selected United States decorations: Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal |
| Presented by | United States Armed Forces |
| Type | Decorations and medals |
| Eligibility | Members of the United States Armed Forces, allied personnel, civilians in some cases |
| Awarded for | Valor, merit, service, achievement |
| Status | Active and historical |
United States military decorations are formal honors awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces and eligible civilians or foreign nationals for valor, merit, service, achievement, and wounds received in action. Rooted in traditions that span the American Revolutionary War, the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II, the system of decorations has evolved through legislation, executive orders, and regulations issued by the Department of Defense, the United States Congress, and the individual services such as the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, United States Space Force, and the United States Coast Guard.
Overview and History
Decorations trace to early awards like the Badge of Military Merit established by George Washington and to 19th-century medals such as the Civil War brevet system; later statutory creations include the Medal of Honor in 1861 and subsequent distinctions created during World War I and World War II. Postwar developments were shaped by acts of United States Congress including the Medal of Honor Act and by executive authority of presidents such as Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Harry S. Truman. Institutional reforms were codified in regulations such as Department of Defense Instruction 1348.33 and service-specific manuals like the Army Regulation 600-8-22 and Navy Personnel Command directives.
Types and Order of Precedence
Decorations are grouped by categories: valor awards (e.g., Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross), gallantry awards (e.g., Silver Star), meritorious service awards (e.g., Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal), campaign and service medals (e.g., World War II Victory Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal), and unit awards (e.g., Presidential Unit Citation). The order of precedence for wear is established by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and codified across service regulations; higher order awards such as the Medal of Honor take precedence over service crosses like the Air Force Cross and campaign decorations like the Vietnam Service Medal. Foreign decorations approved by the Secretary of Defense and authorized by the President of the United States are placed according to precedence tables in service guidance.
Criteria and Eligibility
Eligibility criteria differ by award: the Medal of Honor requires conspicuous gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty during combat operations; the Bronze Star Medal may be issued for heroic or meritorious achievement; the Purple Heart recognizes wounds received as a result of enemy action. Statutory eligibility is defined in titles of the United States Code and in service regulations, affecting members of the Army National Guard, United States Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, and personnel serving under combatant commands such as United States Central Command or United States Indo-Pacific Command. Foreign recipients, such as members of the Royal Navy, Australian Defence Force, or British Army, can receive decorations when authorized by their governments and by Presidential approval.
Awarding and Approval Processes
Awarding procedures usually begin at the unit level with recommendations from commanders and eyewitness statements, progress through service review boards such as the Army Decorations Board, and culminate with approval by authorities including service secretaries, the Secretary of Defense, or the President of the United States for the highest awards. Investigations may involve the Inspector General of the Department of Defense and historical review boards, particularly for posthumous awards or cases involving controversial incidents like those during the Korean War or Vietnam War. Upgrades or rescissions follow formal appeal routes, adjudicated under statutes and policies administered by offices such as the Board for Correction of Military Records.
Design and Symbolism
Medal designs employ iconography tied to American history and service traditions: the Medal of Honor features an eagle, a star, and laurel wreaths; the Purple Heart displays the profile of George Washington; the Distinguished Flying Cross incorporates wings and cloud motifs. Metals, ribbons, and clasps indicate grade and campaign participation; devices such as oak leaf clusters, service stars, and valor devices are specified in service manuals to denote subsequent awards or combat distinction. Designers and engravers from firms like Tiffany & Co. and government artists have contributed to the visual language of decorations.
Notable Decorations and Recipients
Prominent recipients include sailors and soldiers honored with the Medal of Honor such as Audie Murphy, John Basilone, Desmond Doss, and Dakota Meyer; aviators awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross include Jimmy Doolittle and Charles Lindbergh (honorary contexts); leaders awarded high service decorations include Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, and Oliver Hazard Perry (historical). Unit awards like the Presidential Unit Citation have been bestowed on formations including the 82nd Airborne Division, USS Enterprise (CV-6), and 1st Marine Division for actions in campaigns such as the Normandy landings, Battle of Midway, and the Battle of Guadalcanal.
Legal and Administrative Framework
The legal basis for decorations resides in statutes in the United States Code, executive orders issued by presidents including Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and regulations promulgated by agencies such as the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force. Administrative oversight is provided by offices including the Office of the Secretary of Defense, service personnel centers, and the National Archives and Records Administration for records retention. Judicial and congressional oversight has shaped award policy in cases reviewed by committees of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate.