MilitaryRibbons.net Blog
Presidential Unit Citations
April 29th 2010 - 5:24 pm
In February of 1942 the Distinguished Unit Citation was created for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, as the first version of a Presidential Unit Citation. The Distinguished Unit Citation was adopted as an Air Force ribbon award in 1947, after it was made a separate branch of service. Both the Army and the Air Force changed the name of these Air Force and Army decorations to the Presidential Unit Citation in November of 1966. The Presidential Unit Citation is the unit equivalent of the individual Army and Air Force Cross Medals, and may be awarded to US allies as well as US Armed Forces personnel for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. The Unit awarded must have shown gallantry, determination, and cohesiveness under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions so as to set its performance apart and above that of other units. In the Army and Air Force, every member of the unit at the time the actions take place for which these military awards are issued may wear this military ribbon weather or not they participated in the actual event. In the Army, the PUC is worn above the right pocket, while in the Air Force it is worn on the left pocket below all personnel awards. The order of precedence for all military medals and ribbons requires that the Presidential Unit Citations be worn below Army and Air Force Achievement Medals and the Air Force Combat Action Medal and above Defense Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, Army Valorous Unit Awards, and Air Force Gallant Unit Citations. Some branches of service offer special clasps to commemorate specific events for which the PUCs are awarded. The Army and Air Force each have their own unique unit streamer to represent receipt of Presidential Unit Citations. Presidential Unit Citations are generally available as Army and Air Force ribbons, lapel pins and unit streamers. These military ribbons are available from commercial suppliers as traditional slide-on military ribbons, and the newer thin mounted ribbons, which offer a sleeker profile for a trimmer look.
Coast Guard Commendation Medal
April 20th 2010 - 2:01 pm
In 1943, both the Coast Guard and the Navy authorized the creations of Commendation Medals, though they were only available as military ribbons. It was 17 years before the Coast Guard added military medals to the ribbons in this award classification. Coast Guard Commendation Medals are a mid-level decorations presented to service persons for acts of heroism and meritorious service. If the valorous action that earns the Coast Guard Commendation Medal is performed in direct contact with an enemy force, the Valor Device "V" may be worn on the decoration. The actions for which these military ribbons and medals are awarded are considered to be of a lesser degree than those required to win the Bonze Star. The Coast Guard Commendation Medal is worn below the Silver Life Saving Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal, but above the Joint Services Achievement Medal. The Coast Guard denotes additional awards of these military ribbons with silver and gold Award Stars. Each branch of service now has its own version of the Commendation Medal, which is titled by service branch, though the Navy and Marine Corp share their decoration. The Coast Guard Commendation Medal is generally available as full size military medals, military mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins. Like most military medals, is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, slide-on military ribbons, and the sleek new, thin military medals, mini-medals and ribbons.
Air Force Commendation Medal
April 19th 2010 - 10:01 am
In 1958 the Air Force created its version of the Commendation Medal. At first, it was only offered as military ribbons, but by1960, the Air Force had added the military medals version of these decorations. Air Force Commendation medals are a mid-level decorations presented to service persons for acts of heroism and meritorious service. If the valorous action that earns the Air Force Commendation Medal is performed in direct contact with an enemy force, the Valor Device "V" may be worn on the decoration. The actions for which these military ribbons and medals are awarded are considered to be of a lesser degree than those required to win the Bonze Star. The Air Force Commendation Medal is worn below the Silver Life Saving Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal, but above the Joint Services Achievement Medal. The Air Force denotes additional awards of these military ribbons with bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. The Air Force Commendation Medal is generally available as medals and ribbons, and can be worn as full size military medals, military mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins. Like most military medals, is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, slide-on military ribbons, and the newer, thin military medals, mini-medals and ribbons.
Navy Commendation Medal
April 18th 2010 - 9:51 pm
In 1943, the Navy and Coast Guard offered the first Commendation Medals. These military ribbons were not available as military medals at that time. By 1960, these Navy ribbons were joined by Navy Commendation Medals. However, the Marine Corps shared the Navy version of these ribbons and medals until the decorations were renamed the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in. These military decorations are a mid-level awards presented to service persons for acts of heroism and meritorious service. If the valorous action that earns the Navy Commendation Medal is performed in direct contact with an enemy force, the Valor Device "V" may be worn on the decoration. The actions for which these military ribbons are awarded are considered to be of a lesser degree than those required to win the Bonze Star. The Navy Commendation Medal is worn below the Silver Life Saving Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal, but above the Joint Services Achievement Medal. The Navy denotes additional awards of these military ribbons with silver and gold Award Stars. The Navy Commendation Medal is generally available as full size military medals, military mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins. Like most military medals, they are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, slide-on military ribbons, and thin military medals, mini-medals and ribbons.
Army Commendation Medal
April 17th 2010 - 7:08 pm
The US Army created the Commendation Medal in 1945. At first these awards were only available as military ribbons, but by 1960 the Army had created military medals for the same decoration. By then, all the other branches of the military had also created their own versions of the Commendation Medal, and named them after their service branch. These Army decorations are a mid-level award resented to service persons for acts of heroism and meritorious service. If the valorous action that earns the Army Commendation Medal is performed in direct contact with an enemy force, the Valor Device "V" may be worn on the decoration. The actions for which these military ribbons are awarded are considered to be of a lesser degree than those required to win the Bonze Star. The Army Commendation Medal is worn below the Silver Life Saving Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal, but above the Joint Services Achievement Medal. The Army denotes additional awards of these military ribbons with bronze and silver Oak Leaf Clusters. The Army Commendation Medal is generally available as full size military medals, military mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins. Like most military medals, they are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, slide-on military ribbons, and thin military medals, mini-medals and ribbons.
Silver Lifesaving Medal
April 14th 2010 - 8:23 am
The Lifesaving Medal was established by an Act of Congress on June 20, 1874, making it one of the oldest medals in the U.S. Military. These military awards were originally established under the auspices of the Department of Treasury, when the Coast Guard was still a part of that department. Despite its age, these military medals remain unchanged in design to this day. Military Lifesaving Medals were a common award in all branches of the military until the middle of the 20th century. Today, it is somewhat rare due to the introduction of a variety of other military ribbons and medals that are considered more prestigious than the Lifesaving Medal. Currently, Navy and Marine Corps Medals are generally awarded for sea rescues involving a risk of life. Lifesaving Medals are military awards available to both civil and military recipients who have rescued, or attempted to rescue, any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other peril associated with the water. All such rescue attempts must take place in U.S. waters, or at least one of the parties in the rescue attempt must be a U.S. citizen, or be from a vessel or aircraft operated by U.S. citizens. Lifesaving Medals are issued in two degrees: gold and silver. Gold medals are awarded to those who risk extreme peril in attempting to rescue another. For all other water rescues, Silver medals are presented. These military medals are unique because they are actually minted from real gold and silver, while almost all other military medals are struck from non-precious alloy metals. Silver Lifesaving Medals are worn just below Aerial Achievement Medals, and just above Joint Service Commendation Medals in the order of precedence for all military ribbons and medals. They are available to all branches of service and can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. These military decorations are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, slide-on military ribbons, and the new, slimmer thin mini-medals and ribbons.
Aerial Achievement Medal
April 13th 2010 - 6:02 pm
The Aerial Achievement Medal is a relatively new addition to the pantheon of military decorations. It was created in 1988 and is awarded in the name of the Secretary of the Air Force. These military medals are designed to recognize sustained meritorious achievement of aircrew members whose actions in flight might not qualify for the Air Medal. These military ribbons and medals are recommended by local commanders, but must be approved by a major Air Force Command. The Aerial Achievement Medal is awarded to aircrew members for meritorious service over the course of 20 separate flights of at least 2 hours duration. These military decorations rank just below the Air Medal and just above the Commendation Medals in the order of precedence for military medals. Subsequent awards are made with Oak Leaf Clusters. The Aerial Achievement Medal can be worn as full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. These Air Force awards are available as traditional slide-on full size military medals or mini-medals, traditional slide-on military ribbons, and the new thin mini-medals or military ribbons.
Air Medal
April 12th 2010 - 12:58 pm
Air Medal military decorations were created by Franklin D. Roosevelt with an Executive Order effective on May11, 1942, which also made provisions for retroactive awards to September 8, 1939. These military ribbons and medals are awarded to servicepersons in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, who distinguish themselves by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. These military medals are primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status requiring them to participate in aerial flight on a regular basis in the performance of their primary duties. Air Medals may recognize single acts of heroism, or meritorious service. In certain circumstances, servicepersons who make discernable contributions to the mission of the aircraft in flight while functioning as a crew member, but who are not on flying status, may also be awarded these military medals. A partial list of the many famous people who have received Air Medals includes Jimmy Doolittle, Clark Gable, James Stewart, Ed McMahon, Ted Williams, Gene Roddenberry, Chuck Yeager, George H. W. Bush, John McCain, Colin Powell, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Gus Grissom, and Jim Lovell. Air Medals may be awarded multiple times, and each branch of service handles it their own way. During the Vietnam War, the number of Air Medals awarded by the U.S. Army became too large for the original Oak Leaf Clusters to represent, so they now issue Award Numerals. The U.S. Air Force still uses traditional Oak Leaf Clusters to denote multiple awards of the Air Medal. Both the Army and the Air Force have approved the Valor Device, awarded for acts of heroism, to be worn on the Air Medal, but in the Air Force, the Valor Device may only be worn on Air Medal decorations awarded after October 21, 2004. There are two types of Air Medal awards made for U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine personnel. The individual Air Medal is presented for singular meritorious acts; and the strike/flight Air Medal is awarded for participation in sustained aerial flight operations. Subsequent awards of these military medals are displayed differently, depending on when the awards were made. If the awards were made during the period between November 22, 1989 and September 27, 2006, Gold and Silver Stars were used to denote multiple awards. Gold Stars were used to indicate the second through fifth, and seventh through tenth presentations, while Silver Stars were used to denote six or eleven cumulative awards. Before November 22, 1989, and after September 27, 2006, Gold Numerals denote multiple awards for individual Air Medals, and Bronze Numerals indicate multiple awards for strike/flight Air Medals. Individual Air Medals may also display the Valor Device, when authorized. Air Medals issued in the U.S. Coast Guard handle subsequent awards with Gold or Silver Stars, but have not authorized any additional devices for display on these military medals. The Air Medal can be worn as full size military medals, military mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins. These military decorations are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, traditional slide-on military ribbons, and thin military mini-medals or military ribbons.
Meritorious Service Medal
April 11th 2010 - 7:36 am
All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals. These military ribbons and medals were created by President Lyndon Johnson with an Executive Order issued on January 16, 1969. These military awards are presented to service members of all U.S. Armed Forces for outstanding non-combat meritorious service to the U.S., where the acts or services performed are similar to those for which the Legion of Merit is awarded, but entailing slightly lower levels of responsibility. On July 2, 1981, President Ronald Regan authorized the granting of these military medals to members of friendly armed forces. Normally these military decorations would only be awarded to field grade officers, senior warrant officers, and senior noncommissioned officers. The Meritorious Service Medal ranks just below the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and just above the Air Medal in the order of precedence for military decorations. Subsequent awards of these military medals are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters. The Meritorious Service Medal can be worn as full size military medals, military mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins. These military awards are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, traditional slide-on military ribbons, and thin military mini-medals or military ribbons.
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
April 10th 2010 - 7:01 pm
All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals, but the highest version is a separate issue by the Department of Defense, called the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. These military ribbons and medals were created by President Lyndon Johnson with an Executive Order issued on January 16, 1969. These military awards are presented to service members of all U.S. Armed Forces for outstanding non-combat meritorious service to the U.S., where the acts or services performed are similar to those for which the Legion of Merit is awarded, but entailing slightly lower levels of responsibility. On July 2, 1981, President Ronald Regan authorized the granting of these military medals to members of friendly armed forces. Normally these military decorations would only be awarded to field grade officers, senior warrant officers, and senior noncommissioned officers. The Defense Meritorious Service Medal ranks just below the Purple Heart and just above the Air Medal in the order of precedence for military decorations. Subsequent awards of these military medals are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters. The Defense Meritorious Service Medal can be worn as full size military medals, military mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins. These military awards are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, traditional slide-on military ribbons, and thin military mini-medals or military ribbons.
Bronze Star
April 8th 2010 - 11:37 am
President Roosevelt created the Bronze Star on February 4, 1944 with an Executive Order. These military awards were intended to be the ground equivalent of the Air Medal. These military ribbons and medals are presented to individual members of the U.S. armed forces for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. When bestowed with a Valor Device for bravery these military medals are considered the fourth highest combat award in the pantheon of military decorations. Currently, Bronze Star Medals may be awarded to any person serving in any capacity in or with the U.S. Armed Forces, including foreign troops. These military decorations are awarded for heroic or meritorious service in ground operations against an armed enemy. The acts of heroism are considered to be of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star, and the acts of merit are considered to be inferior to those required for the Legion of Merit. Only service members in combat and receiving imminent danger pay are eligible to receive the Bronze Star. In the U.S. Army and Air Force, additional awards of the Bronze Star are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters. In the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, each additional award is shown by an Award Star. All branches of the U.S. military award the Valor Device to signify that the Bronze Star was won for heroism in combat rather than meritorious achievement awards. Regardless of multiple awards, only one "V" device may be worn on these military medals. The Bronze Star can be worn as full size military medals, military mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins. These decorations are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, traditional slide-on military ribbons, and thin military mini-medals or military ribbons.
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
April 6th 2010 - 9:59 am
In August of 1944 the War Department established the Meritorious Service Plaque. Army personnel from units that received these Army decorations were allowed to wear a Meritorious Service Unit Insignia on their sleeve. Additional awards were indicated by gold Award Stars, and later a gold Numeral inside the wreath on the plaque. In May of 1947 the Army established the Meritorious Unit Commendation with a design more similar to other Army ribbons, and a display style that harmonized better with other Army awards. The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the U.S. Army which is presented to units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding services for at least six continuous months during the period of military operations against an armed enemy. The unit must show outstanding devotion and superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks in a manner that sets them above other units with similar missions. The degree of achievement required is the same as that which would warrant an individual the award of the Legion of Merit. These military ribbons may be worn by all unit members of a cited organization whether or not a member during the action sited, and is considered an individual decoration for persons who were unit members during the cited acts, even after they are no longer members of that unit. The order of precedence for all military ribbons and medals requires that the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation be worn just below the Army Valorous Unit Award, and just above the Army Superior Unit Award. A unit banner is also approved for display. The Army Meritorious Unit Commendation is generally available as Army ribbons, a lapel pins and a unit banner, and can be worn as traditional full size military ribbons and the sleek new ultra thin ribbons that look so trim as mounted military medals.