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Peter Pace in dress uniform 2005

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace wearing medals, ribbons, and other insignia.

Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces are the military decorations including decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the U.S. military. Together with military badges, such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career.

Order of precedence[]

While each service has its own order of precedence, the following general rules apply to all services:

  1. U.S. military personal decorations
  2. U.S. military unit awards
  3. U.S. non-military personal decorations (after unit awards in order of receipt; if from the same agency, the applicable agency precedence listing should be consulted)
  4. U.S. non-military unit awards
  5. U.S. military campaign awards
  6. U.S. military service and training awards
  7. U.S. Merchant Marine awards and non-military service awards
  8. Foreign military personal decorations
  9. Foreign military unit awards
  10. Non-U.S. service awards (e.g., United Nations, NATO, etc.)
  11. Foreign military service awards
  12. Marksmanship awards (Air Force, Navy, & Coast Guard)
  13. State awards of the National Guard (Army & Air Force)

Unit awards are worn on the right side in the U.S. Army.

Active United States[]

By order of precedence[]

Note: Precedence of particular awards will vary slightly among the different branches of service.

Ribbon/Award Name
Personal decorations
Medal of Honor ribbon  Medal of Honor
Awarded for "Gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty"
Service Cross medals. Awarded for "Extraordinary heroism"

Distinguished Service Cross ribbon  Distinguished Service Cross (Army)

Navy Cross ribbon  Navy Cross

Air Force Cross ribbon  Air Force Cross

Coast Guard Cross ribbon  Coast Guard Cross

Distinguished Service medals

Defense Distinguished Service ribbon  Defense Distinguished Service Medal

Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal  Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal

Distinguished Service Medal ribbon  Distinguished Service Medal (Army)

Navy Distinguished Service ribbon  Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon  Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Coast Guard Distinguished Service ribbon  Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal

Silver Star ribbon  Silver Star Awarded for "Gallantry in action"
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon  Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit ribbon  Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon  Distinguished Flying Cross
Medals for non-combat heroism

Soldier's Medal ribbon  Soldier's Medal

Navy and Marine Corps Medal ribbon  Navy and Marine Corps Medal

Airman's Medal ribbon  Airman's Medal

Coast Guard Medal ribbon  Coast Guard Medal

Bronze Star ribbon  Bronze Star Medal Awarded for heroism or meritorious service in a combat zone
Purple Heart BAR  Purple Heart Awarded for wounds suffered in combat
Meritorious service medals

Defense Meritorious Service ribbon  Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service ribbon  Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal ribbon  Air Medal
Aerial Achievement Medal ribbon  Aerial Achievement Medal
Commendation medals

Joint Service Commendation ribbon  Joint Service Commendation Medal

Army Commendation Medal ribbon  Army Commendation Medal

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon  Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation ribbon  Air Force Commendation Medal

Coast Guard Commendation ribbon  Coast Guard Commendation Medal

Achievement medals

Us jointservachiev rib  Joint Service Achievement Medal

Army Achievement Medal ribbon  Army Achievement Medal

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement ribbon  Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Air Force Achievement ribbon  Air Force Achievement Medal

Coast Guard Achievement ribbon  Coast Guard Achievement Medal

Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon  Commandant's Letter of Commendation
Combat Action Ribbon  Navy and Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon

USCG Combat Action Ribbon  Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon

USA - AF Combat Action Ribbon  Air Force Combat Action Medal

Unit Awards
Presidential Unit Citations

Presidential Unit Citation ribbon  Army and Air Force Presidential Unit Citation

US Navy Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon  Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation

Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation ribbon  Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation

Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon  Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Valorous Unit Award ribbon  Army Valorous Unit Award

Navy Unit Commendation ribbon  Navy Unit Commendation

Gallant Unit Citation ribbon  Air Force Gallant Unit Citation

Coast Guard Unit Commendation ribbon  Coast Guard Unit Commendation

Meritorious Unit Commendations

Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon  Army Meritorious Unit Commendation

Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon  Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation

Air Force Meritorious Unit ribbon  Air Force Meritorious Unit Award

Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon  Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation

Army Superior Unit Award ribbon  Army Superior Unit Award

Outstanding Unit ribbon  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Meritorious Team Commendation ribbon  Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation

Efficiency Awards

Battle-e-ribbon  Navy "E" Ribbon

Organizational Excellence ribbon  Air Force Organizational Excellence Award

Coast Guard Excellence Ribbon  Coast Guard "E" Ribbon

Service awards
Prisoner of War ribbon  Prisoner of War Medal
Combat Readiness Medal ribbon  Combat Readiness Medal
Afg-050214-031 1  Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon
Air Force Recognition Ribbon  Air Force Recognition Ribbon
Good Conduct medals

Army Good Conduct ribbon  Army Good Conduct Medal

Navy Good Conduct ribbon  Navy Good Conduct Medal

Air Force Good Conduct ribbon  Air Force Good Conduct Medal

Marine Corps Good Conduct ribbon  Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal

Coast Guard Good Conduct ribbon  Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal

Reserve decorations

ResMedRib  Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Army Reserve Achievement ribbon  Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal

Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal  Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal

Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal ribbon  Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal

Selected Marine Corps Reserve ribbon  Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal

Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Ribbon  Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal

Expeditionary medals

Navy Expeditionary ribbon  Navy Expeditionary Medal

Marine Corps Expeditionary ribbon  Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal

Ribbon/Award Name
Campaign and service medals
Army of Occupation ribbon  Army of Occupation Medal
Army of Occupation ribbon  Navy Occupation Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal ribbon  National Defense Service Medal
AnArcRib  Antarctica Service Medal
Coast Guard Arctic Service ribbon  Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal
AFEMRib  Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Ribbon  Vietnam Service Medal
Southwest Asia Service ribbon  Southwest Asia Service Medal
KosovoRib  Kosovo Campaign Medal
Afghanistan Campaign ribbon  Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign ribbon  Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon  Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon  Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service ribbon  Korea Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon  Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service ribbon  Humanitarian Service Medal
Outstanding Volunteer Service ribbon  Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air and Space Campaign ribbon  Air and Space Campaign Medal
Service and training awards
Army Sea Duty Ribbon  Army Sea Duty Ribbon

Army Overseas Service Ribbon  Army Overseas Service Ribbon

Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon  Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon

Sea Service Deployment Ribbon  Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon  Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon

Special Operations Service Ribbon  Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon

Arctic Service Ribbon  Navy Arctic Service Ribbon

Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon  Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon

Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon  Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon

Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon  Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon

Restricted Duty Ribbon  Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon

Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon  Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon

USCG Overseas Service Ribbon  Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon

Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon  Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon

Air Force Longevity Service ribbon  Air Force Longevity Service Award
Recruiting service ribbons

Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon  Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon

Air Force Recruiter Ribbon  Air Force Recruiter Ribbon

Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon  Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon

Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon  Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon

Training service ribbons

Military Training Instructor Ribbon  Air Force Military Training Instructor Ribbon

Navy Recruit Training Service Ribbon  Navy Recruit Training Service Ribbon

Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon  Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon

Guard ribbons

Navy Ceremonial Guard Ribbon  Navy Ceremonial Guard Ribbon

Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon  Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon

Professional Development Ribbons

NCO Professional Development Ribbon  Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon

USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon  Air Force NCO PME Graduate Ribbon

USAF Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon  Air Force Honor Graduate Ribbon

Coast Guard Honor Graduate Ribbon  Coast Guard Honor Graduate Ribbon

Army Service Ribbon  Army Service Ribbon

Air Force Training Ribbon  Air Force Training Ribbon

Marksmanship awards [1][2][3]
USAF Marksmanship ribbon  Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Rifle

USCG Distinguished Marksman Ribbon  Coast Guard Distinguished Marksman Award (Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Distinguished Marksman Device)

USCG Silver Rifle EIC Ribbon  Coast Guard Silver Rifle Excellence-in-Competition Award (Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Silver Rifle EIC Device)

USCG Bronze Rifle EIC Ribbon  Coast Guard Bronze Rifle Excellence-in-Competition Award (Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Bronze Rifle EIC Device)

USN Expert Rifle Ribbon  Navy Expert Rifleman Medal (Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device)

USCG Expert Rifle Ribbon  Coast Guard Expert Rifleman Medal (Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device)

USN Sharpshooter Rifle Ribbon  Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device

USCG Sharpshooter Rifle Ribbon  Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device

Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon  Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon

Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon  Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon

Pistol

USCG Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon  Coast Guard Distinguished Pistol Shot Award (Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Distinguished Pistol Shot Device)

USCG Silver Pistol Shot EIC Ribbon  Coast Guard Silver Pistol Excellence-in-Competition Award (Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Silver Pistol EIC Device)

USCG Bronze Pistol Shot EIC Ribbon  Coast Guard Bronze Pistol Excellence-in-Competition Award (Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Bronze Pistol EIC Device)

USN Expert Pistol Shot Ribbon  Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal (Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device)

USCG Expert Pistol Ribbon  Coast Guard Expert Pistol Shot Medal (Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Expert Device)

USN Sharpshooter Pistol Shot Ribbon  Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device

USCG Sharpshooter Pistol Ribbon  Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device

Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon  Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon

Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon  Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon

[4]

By military department[]

To denote additional achievements or multiple awards of the same decoration, the United States military maintains a number of award devices which are pinned to service ribbons and medals.

National Guard and state defense forces[]

Other award types[]

Obsolete[]

Ribbon/Award Name
Personal decorations
Certificate of Merit Medal ribbon  Certificate of Merit Medal
Marine Corps Brevet Medal ribbon  Marine Corps Brevet Medal
Army Wound Ribbon  Army Wound Ribbon
Specially Meritorious Service Medal ribbon  Specially Meritorious Service Medal
Department of Transportation military awards
USA - DOT Distinguished Service Medal  Transportation Distinguished Service Medal
Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit ribbon  Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award
Bicentennial Unit Commendation ribbon  Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation
19th and early 20th century Commemorative Medals
West Indies Naval Campaign ribbon  West Indies Naval Campaign Medal (Sampson Medal)
Blueyellowribbon  Battle of Manila Bay Medal (Dewey Medal)
United States Antarctic Expedition Medal (1939-1941)  United States Antarctic Expedition Medal
19th and early 20th century Campaign Medals
Civil War Campaign Medal ribbon  Civil War Campaign Medal
Indian Campaign Medal ribbon  Indian Campaign Medal
China Campaign Medal ribbon  China Campaign Medal (Army)
China Campaign Medal ribbon  China Relief Expedition Medal (Navy)
Spanish-American War campaign and occupation medals
Spanish Campaign Medal ribbon  Spanish Campaign Medal
West Indies Campaign Medal ribbon  West Indies Campaign Medal
Spanish War Service Medal ribbon  Spanish War Service Medal
Army of Cuban Occupation ribbon  Army of Cuban Occupation Medal
Army of Cuban Pacification ribbon  Army of Cuban Pacification Medal
Army of Puerto Rican Occupation ribbon  Army of Puerto Rican Occupation Medal
Philippine-American War campaign medals
Philippine Campaign Medal ribbon  Philippine Campaign Medal
Philippine Congressional Medal ribbon  Philippine Congressional Medal
Marksmanship
Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot Ribbon  Navy Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot Ribbon
Distinguished Marksmanship Ribbon  Navy Distinguished Marksman Ribbon
Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon  Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon
Ribbon/Award Name
Navy & Marine Corps expedition medals (1920s and 1930s)
Nicaraguan Campaign ribbon 1912  Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1912)
Dominican Campaign Medal ribbon  Dominican Campaign Medal
Haitian Campaign Medal ribbon  Haitian Campaign Medal (1917)
Nicaraguan Campaign ribbon 1933  Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933)
Haitian Campaign Medal ribbon  Haitian Campaign Medal (1921)
Yangtze Service Medal ribbon  Yangtze Service Medal
World War I and Pre-WWI service medals
Mexican Service Medal ribbon  Mexican Service Medal
Mexican Border Service Medal ribbon  Mexican Border Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal ribbon  World War I Victory Medal
Army of Occupation of Germany ribbon  Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
World War II and Pre-WWII service medals
China Service Medal ribbon  China Service Medal
American Defense Service ribbon  American Defense Service Medal
Women's Army Corps Service ribbon  Women's Army Corps Service Medal
American Campaign Medal ribbon  American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon  European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon  Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal ribbon  World War II Victory Medal
Post World War II Service medals
Medal for Humane Action ribbon  Medal for Humane Action
KSMRib  Korean Service Medal
Service and Training awards
Naval Reserve Medal ribbon  Naval Reserve Medal
Fleet Marine Force Ribbon  Fleet Marine Force Ribbon
Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon  Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon
Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon  Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon

Discontinued[]

The following decorations were designed for issuance with an approved medal, but were either never officially approved for presentation or were discontinued before a first award could be made.

Ribbon/Award Name
Personal decorations
USA Distinguished Warfare Medal ribbon  Distinguished Warfare Medal
Combat service decorations
Noribbon  Combat Recognition Ribbon
Ribbon/Award Name
General service decorations
LA Cold War Victory  Cold War Victory Medal

Single service awards[]

Single service awards were official military decorations created as one time awards to recognize a single event. The first such single service award was issued during the Spanish American War by the Revenue Cutter Service to honor the heroic actions of the vessel USRC Hudson during the Battle of Cárdenas. The last single service was issued in 1960 when Congress authorized the awarding of the Four Chaplains' Medal recognizing the Four Chaplains who died together during World War II.[5] There have been no single service awards issued since by the U.S. military, mainly due to the decline and complications of awarding commemorative service medals.

Ribbon/Award Name
Personal valor decorations
FourChapRibbon  Four Chaplains' Medal
Personal commemorative decorations
Cardenas Medal ribbon bar  Cardenas Medal of Honor
NC-4 Medal ribbon bar  NC-4 Medal
Ribbon/Award Name
Exploratory commemorative decorations
Perry Polar Expedition Medal ribbon  Peary Polar Expedition Medal
Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal (1928-1930)  Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal
SECOND BYRD ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION Medal  Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal

Unofficial decorations[]

Unofficial decorations are those military awards created and issued by local commanders. In most cases, unofficial awards were designed to commemorate a specific battle or engagement of a commander's unit. The most well known unofficial awards were issued during the American Civil War. These include the Butler and Gillmore Medals as well as two awards issued by Philip Kearny, known respectively as the Kearny Medal and Kearny Cross.

After the Civil War, stricter military regulations prohibited local commanders from issuing awards and the practice had fallen into disuse by the 20th century. Even so, the Department of Defense has stated that large numbers of unofficial medals were privately issued to members of the Armed Forces of the United States for many years after the Civil War, mostly to commemorate specific battles, events, or as private veteran memorabilia.[6]

Foreign and international[]

Foreign and international decorations are authorized for wear on United States military uniforms by the Department of Defense in accordence with established regulations for the receipt of such awards as outlined by the State Department. In the case of foreign decorations, the awards may be divided into senior service decorations (awarded only to high ranking U.S. officers), heroic decorations for valor, and foreign service decorations.

There are hundreds of foreign and international awards which have been approved for issuance to United States miltiary personnel since World War I, the following being among the more common.

Ribbon/Award Name
First World War
Legion Honneur Chevalier ribbon  Legion of Honor (France)
Order of the Bath UK ribbon  Order of the Bath (United Kingdom)
Mili Medal ribbon  Military Medal (France)
Ribbon of la croix de guerre 1914-1918  Croix de guerre (France)
BEL Croix de Guerre WW1 ribbon  Croix de guerre (Belgium)
Czechoslovak War Cross 1918 Ribbon  Czechoslovak War Cross (1918)
Caribbean & Central America (1920s & 1930s)
Order of Abdón Calderón 1st Class (Ecuador) - ribbon bar  Order of Abdon Calderón (Ecuador)
Ruban de la Médaille militaire  Military Merit Medal (Haiti)
Nicaraguan Medal of Military Merit  Medal of Merit (Nicaragua)
Second World War (Europe)
Ribbon of la croix de guerre 1939-1945  Croix de guerre (France)
BEL Croix de Guerre 1944 ribbon  Croix de guerre (Belgium)
LUX Croix de Guerre ribbon  Luxembourg War Cross
Czechoslovak War Cross 1939-1945 Ribbon  Czechoslovak War Cross (1945)
Luxembourg Croix de guerre unit  Luxembourg War Cross (Unit Citation)
Second World War (Pacific)
Philippine Defense ribbon  Philippine Defense Medal
Phliber rib  Philippine Liberation Medal
Philippine Independence Medal Ribbon  Philippine Independence Medal
Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines)  Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines)
Second World War (Senior Orders)
File:Ord.Adolf.Nassau.jpg  Order of Adolphe of Nassau (Luxembourg)
MEX Order of the Aztec Eagle 5Class BAR  Order of the Aztec Eagle (Mexico)
Order BritEmp rib  Order of the British Empire (United Kingdom)
BEL Kroonorde Officier BAR  Order of the Crown (Belgium)
Officer Ordre de Leopold  Order of Leopold (Belgium)
Neth odrorangenassau rib  Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands)
MAR Order of the Ouissam Alaouite - Officer (1913-1956) BAR  Order of Ouissam Alaouite (Morocco)
Order of Precious Tripod with Special Grand Cordon ribbon  Order of Pao Ting (China)
POL Virtuti Militari Złoty BAR  Order of Virtuti Militari (Poland)
POL Order Orła Białego BAR  Order of the White Eagle (Poland)
Order of the White Eagle War Merit ribbon  Order of the White Eagle (Yugoslavia)
Ned WillOrd rib  Order of William (Netherlands)
Korean War
Korean War Service Medal ribbon  Korean War Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal for Korea Ribbon  United Nations Service Medal
Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)  Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)
Ribbon/Award Name
Vietnam War
ArmyDSMribbon  Vietnam Distinguished Service Order (Army)
Vietnam Navy Distinguished Service Order, First Class ribbon  Vietnam Distinguished Service Order (Navy)
Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order, First Class ribbon  Vietnam Distinguished Service Order (Air Force)
Vietnam Military Merit Ribbon  Vietnam Military Merit Medal
Vietnam gallantry cross-w-palm-3d  Vietnam Gallantry Cross (Standard)
Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross  Vietnam Gallantry Cross (Air)
Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross  Vietnam Gallantry Cross (Navy)
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal Ribbon  Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Second Class  Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
Vietnam Staff Service Medal Ribbon  Vietnam Staff Service Medal
Vietnam Special Service Medal ribbon  Vietnam Special Service Medal
VTSM Class 1  Vietnam Technical Service Medal
Presidential Unit Citation (Vietnam)  Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d  Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
VNCivilActionsRibbon-2  Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation
Persian Gulf War
Us kw-kwlib rib  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Us sa-kwlib rib  Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
International Awards (20th Century)
United Nations Medal  United Nations Medal
MFO Medal ribbon  Multinational Force and Observers Medal
Inter-american defense board medal ribbon  Inter-American Defense Board Medal
NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar  NATO Medal (Yugoslavia)
NATO Medal w Służbie Pokoju i Wolności BAR  NATO Medal (Kosovo)
NATO Macedonia Medal Ribbon  NATO Medal (Macedonia)
Senior Military Awards (21st Century)
Peruvian Cross of Aeronautical Merit  Aeronautical Merit Cross (Peru)
GER Bundeswehr Honour Cross Gold ribbon  Cross of Honor (Germany)
The Khalifiyyeh Order of Bahrain, 1st class  Khalifiyyeh Order of Bahrain
Military Merit Order First Class Ribbon  Military Merit Order (United Arab Emirates)
Order of the Crown of Thailand - 2nd Class (Thailand) ribbon  Order of the Crown of Thailand
Gold Award of the Iraqi Order of the Date Palm Ribbon  Order of the Date Palm (Iraq)
ARG Order of May - Knight BAR  Order of May (Argentina)
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 2 BVK  Order of Merit (Germany)
Commendatore OMRI BAR  Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Tong-il Security Medel Ribbon  Order of National Security Merit (Korea)
JPN Kyokujitsu-sho 3Class BAR  Order of the Rising Sun (Japan)
Order of the Southern Cross Officer (Brazil) Ribbon  Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil)

During the First and Second World Wars, the Croix de Guerre medals of France and Belgium, as well as the French Military Medal and Luxembourg War Cross, were further issued as unit citation cords, known as Fourragère. Service members could receive both the individual award and the unit cord; in the case of the later, the unit citation could either be worn temporarily while a member of the unit or permanently if the service member was present during the actual battle which warranted the unit citation. A further unit citation cord of the Order of William of the Netherlands was also issued during World War II, and was far more commonly known as the "Orange Lanyard".

As of 2002, South Korea has again issued the Korean Presidential Unit Citation to certain units of the United States Marine Corps, thus placing this previously obsolete foreign award back on the active order of precedence for U.S. decorations. Apart from this one decoration, most 21st century foreign military awards are reserved for only the most senior flag and general officers and then only presented as "end of tour" decorations upon transfer from a major command.

See also[]

To display devices on this wiki's pages, use Template:Ribbon devices.

Further reading[]

  • Foster, Frank C. (2002). A complete guide to all United States military medals, 1939 to present. Fountain Inn, S.C.: MOA Press. ISBN 1-884-45218-3. OCLC 54755134. 
  • Kerrigan, Evans E. (1971). American war medals and decorations. New York: Viking Press. ISBN 0-670-12101-0. OCLC 128058. 
  • Kerrigan, Evans E. (1990). American medals and decorations. Noroton Heights, CT: Medallic. ISBN 0-792-45082-5. OCLC 21467942. 
  • Robles, Philip K. (1971). United States military medals and ribbons. Rutland, VT: C. E. Tuttle. ISBN 0-804-80048-0. OCLC 199721. 

See also[]

References[]

  1. OPNAVINST 3591.1F, SMALL ARMS TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION, Chief of Naval Operations, dated 12 August 2009, last accessed 5 May 2013
  2. COMDTINST M1650.25D, Medals and Awards Manual, U.S. Coast Guard, dated May 2008, last accessed 5 May 2013
  3. U.S. Coast Guard Uniform Regulations, dated March 2012, last accessed 5 May 2013
  4. http://www.homeofheroes.com/medals/1_precedence.html Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  5. The Institute of Heraldry – Army Chaplain Medal of Valor
  6. Price, James S. (2011). The Battle of New Market Heights: freedom Will Be Theirs by the Sword. Charleston, SC: The History Press. p. 87. ISBN 978-1-60949-038-6. 

External links[]





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