Decorations and Medals

Introduction to Decorations and Medals

Decorations and Medals, awards granted for heroism, self-sacrifice, outstanding achievement, or other forms of service. They are most often awarded to members of the armed forces in time of war. Some are granted for military service in peacetime and others are awarded to civilians for meritorious service in peace or war.

The terms decoration and medal are often used interchangeably. Strictly speaking, however, a decoration is an award given for an act of heroism or gallantry, while a medal is given for taking part in a certain war or campaign. (This distinction is not observed by the United States.) Medals are also awarded by civilian organizations, for outstanding achievement in some specific field.

A decoration or medal usually consists of a metal star, cross, circle, or other device hanging from a colored ribbon. Members of the armed forces wear these awards only on formal occasions. At other times they wear small service ribbons of the same color and pattern as the ribbon from which the medal hangs. Miniature medals may be worn on evening dress uniforms. Lapel buttons or rosettes may be worn on civilian clothing.

United States Awards

Decorations of high degree, such as the Medal of Honor, are awarded only after a searching examination into all the facts of the case. Lesser decorations, such as the Bronze Star or Purple Heart, may be awarded by commanders of large units. Campaign and similar medals are generally awarded without ceremony. Posthumous awards are those made after the death of the person being honored. The decoration or medal is given to a close relative.

The United States Constitution (Article I, Section 9) requires approval by Congress before a person holding a United States office can accept an award from a foreign nation. There is no restriction on foreign decorations for private citizens. Certain United States decorations, such as the Legion of Merit, may be awarded to citizens of foreign countries.

Most United States decorations, medals, and ribbons are worn on the left breast of the uniform. The awards are worn in order of precedence, the highest award being at the wearer's right in the top row. Only one decoration of each kind is worn; a person who merits an additional award of the same decoration is given an Oak-leaf Cluster by the Army or Air Force and a Gold Star by the Navy. Members of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard are eligible to receive many of the same decorations and medals as members of the Navy.

United States armed forces personnel are also authorized to wear the United Nations Service Medal, for service in the Korean War; the United Nations Medal, for service in UN observation and peacekeeping forces; and the Vietnam Campaign Medal, issued by the Republic of Vietnam.

Unit citations, the first of which were authorized in 1942, are made to individual units of the armed forces (a division or a ship, for example) for outstanding performance. They consist of bronze plaques, streamers, and other devices. Under certain circumstances, all members of the unit are authorized to wear citation ribbons. Unit citations include the Presidential Unit Citation, awarded by the three services; the Valorous Unit Award, given by the Army; the Meritorious Unit Commendation, given by the Army and the Navy; and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. There is also a Joint Meritorius Unit Award.

Badges of various types are awarded to infantrymen and medical corpsmen who have been in combat, and to pilots, astronauts, paratroopers, submariners, and others who have special training or who are on special assignment. Qualification badges are awarded for marksmanship.

Civilian Awards

Some civilian organizations award medals for outstanding achievements. In some cass, cash prizes, scholarships, or fellowships are given as well. The Children's Services Division of the American Library Association gives annual Caldecott and Newbery medals to outstanding illustrators and authors of children's books. Professional societies, such as the Society of Automotive Engineers, give medals for professional achievements.

Awards Made By Foreign Governments

Membership in a British order of knighthood carries with it the right to wear certain decorations. .) The Victoria Cross, the highest British decoration for valor, was established by Queen Victoria in 1856 during the Crimean War. A recipient may write V.C. after his name.

Ranking next is the George Cross, established in 1941 by King George VI. It is intended primarily for civilians throughout the British Commonwealth who perform acts of great heroism. A recipient may write G.C. after his name.

The most important French decoration is the Lgion d'Honneur (legion of honor). It was instituted by Napoleon I in 1902. The Ordre du Mrite, a medal established in 1963, acknowledges merit in civilian or military, public or private activities. Another important decoration is the Medaille Militaire, established in 1852. During World War I the French government instituted the Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) for soldiers in any of the Allied armies who were cited for bravery.

The Fourragre, a braided cord worn on the left shoulder, is awarded to outstanding unitsboth French and foreignand is worn by all members of a unit. It was established by Napoleon I and revived in World War I.

The Iron Cross was instituted in 1813 for distinguished service during the Napoleonic Wars. It was revived in two classes (First and Second) for the Franco-Prussian War (1870) and again for World War I, when it was awarded very freely. Adolf Hitler revived the Iron Cross for World War II and added higher classes.

In 1950 the United Nations General Assembly created the United Nations Service Medal for members of the armed forces of all nations who served under UN command in the Korean War.

The first distinctly Canadian decoration, the Canada Medal, was established in 1943, during World War II. Canadians are also eligible to receive certain British decorations. Belgian awards include the Croix de Guerre, the Order of Leopold, and a Fourragre similar to that of France. The Netherlands also awards a Fourragre. Two of the highest Japanese military awards during World War II were the Order of the Golden Kite and the Order of the Rising Sun.

The Soviet Union awarded a wide variety of decorations for both military and civilian achievements. The Gold Star Medal, awarded for outstanding contributions to the Soviet Union, was worn above all other decorations. The Order of Victory was established in 1943 as the highest military decoration for high-ranking officers. In the same year the Order of Glory was created to recognize acts of bravery by enlisted personnel of the army and junior members of the air force. The Order of the Red Star and the Order of Lenin were both created in 1930. They were awarded to both individuals and groups.

History of Decorations and Medals

Decorations have an ancient history. The early Greeks awarded laurel wreaths to athletes, and Alexander the Great rewarded military service with golden buttons. Victorious Roman generals wore crowns.

In the early years of the United States, few decorations or medals were awarded; the American people generally considered them to be undemocratic in nature, symbols of European monarchies. It was not until World War I that the United States armed forces awarded decorations and medals on a large scale.