Air Force Ribbons & Medals
Air Force Cross
The Air Force Cross was first suggested in 1947, shortly after the creation of the US Air Force as a separate branch of service, but not established by an Act of Congress until July of 1960. Originally entitled ... (read more)Defense Distinguished Service Medal
In July of 1970, Richard Nixon’s executive order created one of the newest of the major personal accomplishment awards, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. These US military medals are issued through the De... (read more)Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by Congress in 1960. Congress recognized different types and degrees of heroism and meritorious service and included provisions for award criteria. The A... (read more)Silver Star
Congress authorized the creation of the Silver Star as a U.S. Navy military award On August 7, 1942. Four months later, on December 15, 1942, Congress extended that authorization to create a U.S. Army decoration... (read more)Defense Superior Service Medal
On February 6, 1976 President Ford issued an Executive Order creating the Defense Superior Service Medal as one of the Defense Department awarded medals of America. These US military medals are presented by the ... (read more)Legion of Merit
On July 20, 1942, an Act of Congress created the Legion of Merit as one of only six special military medals issued as a “Neck Order” which could be given to U.S. military personnel as well as foreign military per... (read more)Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross is one of the more interesting medals of America that has ever been created. Service persons of friendly foreign nations serving with the U.S. during wartime are eligible to receiv... (read more)Bronze Star
The bronze star is a very prestigous medal that is awarded to those members of tthe United States Armed Forces that have displayed great heroic efforts during war time activities. On February 4, 1944 President... (read more)
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is one of the oldest medals of America. It was originally created by George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War. While Douglas MacArthur pr... (read more)Defense Meritorious Service Medal
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 ribbo... (read more)Meritorious Service Medal
All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals. These are the same military ribbons and medals, with almost identical criteria. These medals of America were created by President Lyndon Joh... (read more)Air Medal
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 medals of Amer... (read more)Aerial Achievement Medal
The Aerial Achievement Medal is a relatively new addition to the pantheon of medals of America, and is awarded to Air Force personnel only. It was created in 1988 and is awarded in the name of the Secretary of t... (read more)Joint Service Commendation Medal
In 1963 the Department of Defense created their own version of the Commendation Medal, which each of the five branches of the US military award their servicepersons. This was a Viet Nam era award added to the pa... (read more)Air Force Commendation Medal
In 1958 the Air Force created its version of the Commendation Medal, the last of the United States military branches to authorize these medals of America. At first, it was only offered as military ribbons, but b... (read more)Joint Service Achievement Medal
The Department of Defense created the authorization for its Joint Service Achievement Medal in 1983. These US military medals are considered superior to any of the individual service branch Achievement Medals. ... (read more)Air Force Achievement Medal
The Air Force created one of the newer medals of America when they issued their service specific Achievement Medal in 1981. These US military medals are awarded for outstanding achievement or meritorious service... (read more)Air Force Combat Action Medal
The first Air Force Combat Action Medal was awarded in June of 2007, which makes it one of the newest medals of America to be created. These Air Force medals and ribbons may be retroactively bestowed on Air Forc... (read more)Prisoner of War Medal
Few people realize that it is a fact of history that there was no military medal issued to service persons honoring their travails as prisoners of war for either of the two World Wars, not to mention the smaller ... (read more)Air force Combat Readiness Medal
In 1964 the U.S. Air Force created a new military decoration to add to the pantheon of all the medals of America. The Air Force called these new US military medals Combat Readiness Medals. Although originally t... (read more)Air Force Good Conduct Medal
The Air Force was the last of the five U. S. Military branches to add a Good Conduct Medal to their entries in the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals were authorized by Congress on... (read more)Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
In April of 1964 the Air Force established its Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal and called it the "Air Force Reserve Ribbon". Seven and a half years later, in November of 1971, these Air Force ribbon... (read more)American Defense Medal
President Franklin Roosevelt expanded the medals of America when he created The American Defense Service Medal with an Executive Order in June of 1941. He wanted these US military medals to recognize service in ... (read more)American Campaign Medal
President Franklin Roosevelt created the American Campaign Medal as an early entry into the pantheon of the medals of America with an Executive Order on November 6, 1942. This was shortly after his creation of a... (read more)Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is another of the many medals of America that President Roosevelt created in late 1942 during the World War II years. The purpose of these US military medals was to honor US mi... (read more)European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was created and added to the medals of America, like so many other World War II medals, by an executive order issued by President Franklin Roosevelt in November ... (read more)WWII Victory Medal
In July of 1945 the United States Congress created the World War II Victory Medal as a new addition to the pantheon of the medals of America. These US military medals were to honor the service of all United Stat... (read more)Army and Air Force World War II Occupation Medal
The United States War Department created the Army of Occupation Medal as an Army addition to the medals of America in 1946 after World War II. The purpose of establishing these US military medals was to recogniz... (read more)Medal for Humane Action
The United States Congress created the Medal for Humane Action on July 20, 1949 as a general services addition to the prestigious medals of America. These US military medals were presented to military personnel ... (read more)National Defense Service Medal
President Dwight Eisenhower created the National Defense Service Medal as an addition to the hallowed medals of America, in 1953. These US military medals were intended to honor any service person who served hon... (read more)Korea Service Medal
In November of 1950 President Harry Truman created the Korean Service Medal as the newest entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals were intended to honor service person’s ... (read more)Antarctica Service Medal
In July of 1960 the US Congress established the Antarctica Service Medal as its newest addition to the medals of America. These US military medals replaced a commemorative decoration which had been issued betwee... (read more)Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
President John Kennedy created the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal in 1961 as his first entry into the medals of America. These US military medals are presented to military personnel for participation in any mi... (read more)Vietnam Service Medal
In July of 1960 President Lyndon Johnson issued and Executive Order establishing the Vietnam Service Medal as his first entry into the medals of America. These US military medals are issued to recognize service ... (read more)Southwest Asia Service Medal
In March of 1991 President George H. W. Bush issued an Executive Order creating The Southwest Asia Service Medal and entering it in the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals are inten... (read more)Kosovo Campaign
The Kosovo Campaign Medal was the first of the medals of America established by President Bill Clinton in May of 2000. These US military medals recognize military service performed in Kosovo from 1999 to the cur... (read more)Afghanistan Campaign Medal
In November of 2004 President George W. Bush issued an Executive Order that established the Afghanistan Campaign Medal as his newest entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military meda... (read more)Iraq Campaign Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal was created by President George W. Bush in May of 2004 at about the same time its fraternal twin, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, was added to the medals of America. These US military med... (read more)Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary)
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal was one of two early medals of America created by President George W. Bush in March of 2003, by Executive Order. These US military medals recognize service personn... (read more)Global War on Terrorism (Service)
In March of 2003 President George W. Bush created a pair of medals of America for the War on Terror. The second of these US military medals was named The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. These military me... (read more)Korea Defense Service Medal
President George W. Bush created The Korea Defense Service Medal as a third Executive Order issue which he added to the medals of America in 2002. These US military medals are authorized for service members who ... (read more)Armed Forces Service Medal
The Armed Forces Service Medal is one of the few medals of America that President Bill Clinton created. All five branches of the military began issuing these military medals and ribbons in January of 1996. Thes... (read more)Humanitarian Service Medal
One way new military awards come into existence is by Presidential Order. President Ford authorized the creation of a new military award to add to the medals of America which he called the Humanitarian Service M... (read more)Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal was created by George H.W. Bush in January of 1993 as one of the newest medals of America, but was not issued until December of that same year. These US military ... (read more)Armed Forces Reserve Medal
All five branches of the US military Services offer the same Armed Forces Reserve Medal which is presented to both officers and enlisted service persons in all five military Reserve or National Guard units. Thes... (read more)Philippine Defense Medal
Philippine Defense Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America which are awarded by United States’ agencies, these military medals are presented by the Republic of the ... (read more)Philippine Liberation Medal
Philippine Defense Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America which are awarded by United States’ agencies, these military medals are presented by the Republic of the ... (read more)Philippine Independence Medal
The Philippine Independence Medal was created by order of the Commonwealth of the Philippine Army in July of 1946 as an award of the Republic of the Philippines. Philippine Defense Medals are not US military med... (read more)Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal
The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was established in 1964 by the government of South Vietnam. These military awards are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they were prese... (read more)Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was established in 1964 by the government of South Vietnam. These military awards are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they were prese... (read more)United Nations Korea Service Medal
The United Nations Service Medal for Korea was established by the United Nations in December of 1950. These military awards are not US military medals, but international awards, and unlike the medals of America,... (read more)United Nations Medal
(read more)NATO Medal
NATO Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. There are currently ten versions of th... (read more)NATO Kosovo Medal
NATO Kosovo Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. These military medals were auth... (read more)NATO ISAF Medal
(read more)Multi-National Force & Observers Medal
The United States military began issuing the Multinational Force and Observers Medal on July 28, 1982. The medal was made retroactive to August 1981 and was presented to any United States service member who serve... (read more)Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
The Vietnam Campaign Medal was created in 1966 by the Republic of South Vietnam and given to any member of the United States military who served in the Vietnam War. These military medals were the most commonly b... (read more)Inter-American Defense Board Medal
The Inter-American Defense Board Medal was established in December of 1945 by a Pan-American defense group called the Inter-American Defense Board which is devoted to the security of all the countries who are mem... (read more)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
The Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia version – was established by King Fahd ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia to recognize service during the Liberation of Kuwait. These military medals are awarded to members ... (read more)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait)
Kuwait Liberation (Kuwait) Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the government of Kuwait. The Kuwait Liberation Medal was offered to US s... (read more)Republic of Korea War Service Medal
The Republic of Korea War Service Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by a grateful Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea War Service Me... (read more)Air Force Cross
The Air Force Cross was first suggested in 1947, shortly after the creation of the US Air Force as a separate branch of service, but not established by an Act of Congress until July of 1960. Originally entitled ... (read more)Defense Distinguished Service Medal
In July of 1970, Richard Nixon’s executive order created one of the newest of the major personal accomplishment awards, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. These US military medals are issued through the De... (read more)Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by Congress in 1960. Congress recognized different types and degrees of heroism and meritorious service and included provisions for award criteria. The A... (read more)Silver Star
Congress authorized the creation of the Silver Star as a U.S. Navy military award On August 7, 1942. Four months later, on December 15, 1942, Congress extended that authorization to create a U.S. Army decoration... (read more)Defense Superior Service Medal
On February 6, 1976 President Ford issued an Executive Order creating the Defense Superior Service Medal as one of the Defense Department awarded medals of America. These US military medals are presented by the ... (read more)Legion of Merit
On July 20, 1942, an Act of Congress created the Legion of Merit as one of only six special military medals issued as a “Neck Order” which could be given to U.S. military personnel as well as foreign military per... (read more)Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross is one of the more interesting medals of America that has ever been created. Service persons of friendly foreign nations serving with the U.S. during wartime are eligible to receiv... (read more)Bronze Star
On February 4, 1944 President Roosevelt created the Bronze Star with an Executive Order. These US military medals were intended to be the ground equivalent of the Air Medal. These military ribbons and medals ar... (read more)Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is one of the oldest medals of America. It was originally created by George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War. While Douglas MacArthur pr... (read more)Defense Meritorious Service Medal
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 ribbo... (read more)Meritiorious Service Medal
All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals. These are the same military ribbons and medals, with almost identical criteria. These medals of America were created by President Lyndon Joh... (read more)Air Medal
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 medals of Amer... (read more)Aerial Achievement Medal
The Aerial Achievement Medal is a relatively new addition to the pantheon of medals of America, and is awarded to Air Force personnel only. It was created in 1988 and is awarded in the name of the Secretary of t... (read more)Joint Service Commendation Medal
In 1963 the Department of Defense created their own version of the Commendation Medal, which each of the five branches of the US military award their servicepersons. This was a Viet Nam era award added to the pa... (read more)Air Force Commendation Medal
In 1958 the Air Force created its version of the Commendation Medal, the last of the United States military branches to authorize these medals of America. At first, it was only offered as military ribbons, but b... (read more)Joint Service Achievement Medal
The Department of Defense created the authorization for its Joint Service Achievement Medal in 1983. These US military medals are considered superior to any of the individual service branch Achievement Medals. ... (read more)Air Force Achievement Medal
The Air Force created one of the newer medals of America when they issued their service specific Achievement Medal in 1981. These US military medals are awarded for outstanding achievement or meritorious service... (read more)Air Force Combat Action Medal
The first Air Force Combat Action Medal was awarded in June of 2007, which makes it one of the newest medals of America to be created. These Air Force medals and ribbons may be retroactively bestowed on Air Forc... (read more)Prisoner of War Medal
Few people realize that it is a fact of history that there was no military medal issued to service persons honoring their travails as prisoners of war for either of the two World Wars, not to mention the smaller ... (read more)Air force Combat Readiness Medal
(read more)Air Force Good Conduct Medal
The Air Force was the last of the five U. S. Military branches to add a Good Conduct Medal to their entries in the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals were authorized by Congress on... (read more)Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal
In April of 1964 the Air Force established its Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal and called it the "Air Force Reserve Ribbon". Seven and a half years later, in November of 1971, these Air Force ribbon... (read more)American Defense Medal
President Franklin Roosevelt expanded the medals of America when he created The American Defense Service Medal with an Executive Order in June of 1941. He wanted these US military medals to recognize service in ... (read more)American Campaign Medal
President Franklin Roosevelt created the American Campaign Medal as an early entry into the pantheon of the medals of America with an Executive Order on November 6, 1942. This was shortly after his creation of a... (read more)Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is another of the many medals of America that President Roosevelt created in late 1942 during the World War II years. The purpose of these US military medals was to honor US mi... (read more)European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was created and added to the medals of America, like so many other World War II medals, by an executive order issued by President Franklin Roosevelt in November ... (read more)WWII Victory Medal
In July of 1945 the United States Congress created the World War II Victory Medal as a new addition to the pantheon of the medals of America. These US military medals were to honor the service of all United Stat... (read more)Army and Air Force World War II Occupation Medal
The United States War Department created the Army of Occupation Medal as an Army addition to the medals of America in 1946 after World War II. The purpose of establishing these US military medals was to recogniz... (read more)Medal for Humane Action
The United States Congress created the Medal for Humane Action on July 20, 1949 as a general services addition to the prestigious medals of America. These US military medals were presented to military personnel ... (read more)National Defense Service Medal
President Dwight Eisenhower created the National Defense Service Medal as an addition to the hallowed medals of America, in 1953. These US military medals were intended to honor any service person who served hon... (read more)Korea Service Medal
In November of 1950 President Harry Truman created the Korean Service Medal as the newest entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals were intended to honor service person’s ... (read more)Antarctica Service Medal
In July of 1960 the US Congress established the Antarctica Service Medal as its newest addition to the medals of America. These US military medals replaced a commemorative decoration which had been issued betwee... (read more)Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
President John Kennedy created the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal in 1961 as his first entry into the medals of America. These US military medals are presented to military personnel for participation in any mi... (read more)Vietnam Service Medal
In July of 1960 President Lyndon Johnson issued and Executive Order establishing the Vietnam Service Medal as his first entry into the medals of America. These US military medals are issued to recognize service ... (read more)Southwest Asia Service Medal
In March of 1991 President George H. W. Bush issued an Executive Order creating The Southwest Asia Service Medal and entering it in the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military medals are inten... (read more)Kosovo Campaign
The Kosovo Campaign Medal was the first of the medals of America established by President Bill Clinton in May of 2000. These US military medals recognize military service performed in Kosovo from 1999 to the cur... (read more)Afghanistan Campaign Medal
In November of 2004 President George W. Bush issued an Executive Order that established the Afghanistan Campaign Medal as his newest entry into the hallowed halls of the medals of America. These US military meda... (read more)Iraq Campaign Medal
The Iraq Campaign Medal was created by President George W. Bush in May of 2004 at about the same time its fraternal twin, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, was added to the medals of America. These US military med... (read more)Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary)
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal was one of two early medals of America created by President George W. Bush in March of 2003, by Executive Order. These US military medals recognize service personn... (read more)Global War on Terrorism (Service)
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal was one of two early medals of America created by President George W. Bush in March of 2003, by Executive Order. These US military medals recognize service personn... (read more)Korea Defense Service Medal
President George W. Bush created The Korea Defense Service Medal as a third Executive Order issue which he added to the medals of America in 2002. These US military medals are authorized for service members who ... (read more)Armed Forces Service Medal
The Armed Forces Service Medal is one of the few medals of America that President Bill Clinton created. All five branches of the military began issuing these military medals and ribbons in January of 1996. Thes... (read more)Humanitarian Service Medal
One way new military awards come into existence is by Presidential Order. President Ford authorized the creation of a new military award to add to the medals of America which he called the Humanitarian Service M... (read more)Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal was created by George H.W. Bush in January of 1993 as one of the newest medals of America, but was not issued until December of that same year. These US military ... (read more)Armed Forces Reserve Medal
All five branches of the US military Services offer the same Armed Forces Reserve Medal which is presented to both officers and enlisted service persons in all five military Reserve or National Guard units. Thes... (read more)Philippine Defense Medal
Philippine Defense Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America which are awarded by United States’ agencies, these military medals are presented by the Republic of the ... (read more)Philippine Liberation Medal
Philippine Defense Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America which are awarded by United States’ agencies, these military medals are presented by the Republic of the ... (read more)Philippine Independence Medal
The Philippine Independence Medal was created by order of the Commonwealth of the Philippine Army in July of 1946 as an award of the Republic of the Philippines. Philippine Defense Medals are not US military med... (read more)Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal
The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was established in August of 1950 by the government of South Vietnam as one of its earliest military awards. Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medals are not US military medals, ... (read more)Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was established in 1964 by the government of South Vietnam. These military awards are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they were prese... (read more)United Nations Korea Service Medal
The United Nations Service Medal for Korea was established by the United Nations in December of 1950. These military awards are not US military medals, but international awards, and unlike the medals of America,... (read more)United Nations Medal
The United Nations Military Observer Group was established in 1949 to facilitate the creation of truce terms between India and Pakistan. These military insignia are not US military medals, but international awar... (read more)NATO Medal
NATO Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. There are currently ten versions of th... (read more)NATO Kosovo Medal
NATO Kosovo Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. These military medals were auth... (read more)NATO ISAF Medal
NATO Non-Article Five Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. These military medals... (read more)Multi-National Force & Observers Medal
The United States military began issuing the Multinational Force and Observers Medal on July 28, 1982. The medal was made retroactive to August 1981 and was presented to any United States service member who serve... (read more)Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
The Vietnam Campaign Medal was created in 1966 by the Republic of South Vietnam and given to any member of the United States military who served in the Vietnam War. These military medals were the most commonly b... (read more)Inter-American Defense Board Medal
The Inter-American Defense Board Medal was established in December of 1945 by a Pan-American defense group called the Inter-American Defense Board which is devoted to the security of all the countries who are mem... (read more)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
The Kuwait Liberation Medal – Saudi Arabia version – was established by King Fahd ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia to recognize service during the Liberation of Kuwait. These military medals are awarded to members ... (read more)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait)
Kuwait Liberation (Kuwait) Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the government of Kuwait. The Kuwait Liberation Medal was offered to US s... (read more)Republic of Korea War Service Medal
The Republic of Korea War Service Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by a grateful Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea War Service Me... (read more)Air Force Cross
First discussed in the year of 1947, the Air Force Cross was created shortly after the United States Air Force was established as a separate branch of the armed forces; however, it was not accepted a... (read more)
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
In the year of 1970, President Richard Nixon’s executive order created one of the most modern of the major personal accomplishment awards, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. The... (read more)
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by Congress in 1960. Congress recognized different types and degrees of heroism and meritorious service and included provisions for award criteria. The ... (read more)
Silver Star
The creation of the Silver Star award was first authorized by Congress as a United States Navy military medal in the year o... (read more)
Defense Superior Service Medal
In the year 1976 President Ford issued an Executive Order creating the Defense Superior Service Medal as one of the Defense Department awarded American medals. These US (read more)
Legion of Merit
On July 20, 1942, an Act of Congress created the Legion of Merit as one of only six special military medals issued as a “Neck Order” which could be given to U.S. military personnel as well as foreign military per... (read more)Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross is one of the more interesting National medals of America that has ever been created. Service persons of friendly foreign nations serving with the U.S. during wartime are eligibl... (read more)
Bronze Star
On February 4, 1944 President Roosevelt created the Bronze Star with an Executive Order. These US military medals were intended to be the ground equivalent of the Air Medal. These (read more)
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is one of the oldest medals of America. It was originally created by George Washington as the Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War. While Douglas MacArthur pr... (read more)Defense Meritorious Service Medal
All 5 branches of the United States 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... (read more)
Meritorious Service Medal
All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals. These are the same military ribbons and medals, with almost identical crit... (read more)
Air Medal
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 medals of Am... (read more)
Aerial Achievement Medal
The Aerial Achievement Medal is a relatively new addition to the pantheon of medals of America, and is awarded to Air Force personnel only. It was created in 1988 and is awarded in the name of the Secretary of... (read more)
Joint Service Commendation Medal
In 1963 the Department of Defense created their own version of the Commendation Medal, which each of the five branches of the US military award their servicepersons. This was a Viet Nam era award added to the ... (read more)
Air Force Commendation Medal
In 1958 the Air Force created its version of the Commendation Medal, the last of the United States military branches to authorize these medals of America. At first, it was only offered as(read more)