Military Awards, Medals and Ribbons

Military awards are awarded to recognize heroism, achievements and contributions while defending the country from enemies. When these awards were conceptualized in a time period as early as the American Revolution, there was no formal or a systematic plan. About 60 decorations have been identified and awarded in the history of Armed Forces of United States. There have been changes in the eligibility criteria and many decorations have been discontinued.
The eligibility criterion of awarding military medals is very stringent. A medal will not be awarded or presented to any individual whose entire service subsequent to the time of the distinguished act; achievement or service has not been honorable. The determination of the same will be based on honest and faithful service according to the standards of conduct, courage and duty required by law and customs of the service of a member of the grade to whom the standard is applied.
The Medal of Honor is the highest recognition awarded to a serviceman. It was proposed by the General-in-Chief of the Army Winfield Scott during the Civil War. But Scott dismissed the idea as he felt the entire concept was too ‘European’. The United States Congress approved it only in 1862. They authorized it to be worn as a badge of honor. The first awardees of the medal were the men involved in ‘The Great Locomotive Chase’. Since then more than 3400 men and 1 woman has been honored with award. Some of the other medals rewarded to individuals of the Army are Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Cross Medal, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, Civil War Campaign Medal, Army Defense Medal, Women’s Army Corps Medal, National Defense Service Medal and many more.

In addition to the awards given out to individuals, awards are also given out to entire units that recognize entire organization for outstanding heroism or achievements during situations involving national interests. Some awards of this type are the Army Presidential Unit Citation Award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Valorous Unit Award, Army Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Award, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and lastly the Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation.

Apart from the awards mentioned above, Service medals, Campaign Medals and Service Ribbons are also awarded. These denote participation by a service member in a campaign, war, national emergency or a specified Service requirement. Since World War II, over 100 of these awards have been authorized. Out of these, the following 9 are considered as Defense awards:

• Prisoner of War Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Antarctica Service Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Award
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Armed Forces Service Medal
• Humanitarian Service Medal
• Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

Awards are displayed in a specific order with the highest, that is the most senior award being at the top and the least important or the junior award always being placed at the bottom. In rows of multiple awards, the highest award is placed to the wearer’s right, signifying closeness to the heart. Medals are only worn on dress ribbons and always have a corresponding ribbon. The Army Ribbons in the Armed Forces of the United States may be worn on green, blue and white uniform coats. The military ribbons are worn in one or more rows in the order of precedence with no more than 4 ribbons to a row. The top row is centered and unit awards are centered above the right breast pocket.

It is interesting to note that once a medal has been awarded, it is the responsibility of the individual to maintain the state of the same. If the medal is tarnished, damaged or lost, the same medal can be bought! Although, I am sure that this is a very good alternative for personnel who have won the awards meritoriously, some misuse it and buy awards that they think they should have received or are impressive. Doing so, not only cheapens the awards, it also belittles one’s accomplishments, not to mention the legal row that they would get into. For example, wearing a Medal of Honor fraudulently imposes a fine of $100,000. I am sure everyone will agree with me on this that all said and done, the greatest award is the satisfaction and pride of serving the motherland.