The U.S. military has many impressive awards available to service members and leaders. These medals, ribbons, stripes, and badges are worn on uniforms or are displayed in office spaces as a means of recognizing specific achievements or milestones reached by individuals or units within the armed forces. These awards have different levels of recognition and are often earned by exceptional service members who have gone above and beyond their call of duty to serve their country. The most prestigious awards in the U.S. military are reserved for only the most outstanding service members or commanders whose actions set new standards for excellence throughout the armed forces. Here is information about five of the most prestigious American military awards available today:
Bronze Star with “V” Device
The Bronze Star with “V” Device is the sixth highest award in the U.S. military and is awarded to members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves by heroism while serving in any branch of the U.S. military. Recipients of this award are given the option of wearing a bronze star with a gold “V” device on the ribbon to indicate that they have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. These awards are typically given to commanding officers, warrant officers, special forces, and other key figures in the military who have conducted extraordinary acts of bravery or leadership above and beyond the call of duty.
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal was created in 1988 and is awarded to honor service members for exemplary service to anyone, including the federal government, a state, or a local government. The medal is typically given to senior civilian or military leaders who have demonstrated outstanding and motivated service to their branch of the U.S. armed forces.
The award does not solely focus on acts of heroism, but rather, on acts of service that demonstrate outstanding qualities such as loyalty, integrity, or dedication to the best interest of the U.S. military or federal government. To be considered for the award, service members must have received an honorable discharge from the military, or have completed at least six months of active duty. The criteria for receiving this medal also varies by branch of the military. For example, the criteria for the U.S. Air Force is more strict that that of the U.S. Navy.
The level of difficulty in receiving this award is high. Officers and senior non-commissioned members must receive an “unanimous recommendation” from their command to receive the award. The process of receiving the award must be documented in the service member’s personnel file. To receive the award, members must meet the following criteria: Serve in the U.S. military or federal government for at least six months.
Serve in a position of leadership or responsibility. Demonstrate exemplary service to the U.S. government or military. The U.S. Department of Defense will determine if the act of service was worthy of the Medal of Honor. The act of service must be documented and officially recognized.
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is the seventh highest award in the U.S. military and is typically given to individuals who display extraordinary merit in any branch of service. Recipients of this award are recommended by a branch of the armed forces and are personally recognized by the president. This is the second highest award that can be awarded to a service member and is often given to those who display exceptional performance in critical roles like logistics, medical, or communications.
The Legion of Merit is awarded in several different categories including one, two, or three stars. Three stars are the most commonly awarded, denoting high levels of merit. The Legion of Merit is typically bestowed upon an individual who has performed a job that helped the U.S. military in some way. It can be awarded at the discretion of the commanding officer, who typically has at least a couple of suggestions as to who might be worthy. The Legion of Merit is awarded with no set criteria. Recipients may be soldiers, sailors, airmen, or Marines. The award is typically given to those who have displayed outstanding performance in a critical role like logistics, communications, or medical.
The Legion of Merit is one of the most common US military medals. It is usually awarded to soldiers who have performed a job well above expectations, or to those who have performed a job exceptionally well. It is typically not awarded to those who have shown only average or below average performance. The Legion of Merit is typically not awarded for heroic or exceptional performance. It is given for the performance of a job that does not receive a lot of attention. Because of this, it is typically given to non-fancy soldiers, such as cooks, clerks, drivers, mechanics, medical personnel, and so on. The Legion of Merit is typically not given for acts of valour. Recipients may be soldiers, sailors, airmen, or Marines. The Legion of Merit is typically not awarded posthumously.
It is typically only given at the end of a tour of duty. The Legion of Merit is typically not awarded with the “V” device. The “V” device is typically only given to those who received the highest award, such as the Medal of Honor. The Legion of Merit is typically not worn on a uniform. It is typically worn on a lapel or in a pocket.
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal was created in 1981 and is awarded to honor service members who demonstrate exceptional merit in their branch of the U.S. military. This medal is often given to enlisted personnel and junior officers who have completed meritorious or challenging tasks.
The criteria for receiving this award is different for each branch of the military. The requirements will depend on the type of duty performed by the individual, the length of time they served, and the amount of responsibility they had. For instance, the criteria for receiving this award would be different for an enlisted member that completed 12 months of active duty as opposed to a member that completed 3 months active duty.
On the other hand, the criteria for receiving this award would be different for a member that completed 30 days active duty as opposed to a member that completed 12 months active duty.
The following are examples of situations that would qualify for the Defense Meritorious Service Medal: – A member completes a challenging task such as going above and beyond to complete a mission (e.S.M.S. is unique in that it does not require a “slam dunk” of a situation to be recognized) – A member completes a meritorious task that helps their team or unit (e.g. completing a challenging task that helps their team win) – A member completes a task that goes above and beyond the call of duty (e.g. completing a task that is dangerous)
- A member completes a task for which they are personally commended by their commander (e.g. completing a task that demonstrates a high level of personal responsibility) – A member completes a task that shows exceptional leadership qualities (e.g. completing a task that demonstrates great leadership abilities) – A member completes a task that demonstrates a high degree of professionalism (e.S.M.S. does not require a “slam dunk” of a situation to be recognized).
Air Force Cross
The Air Force Cross is the eighth highest award in the U.S. military and is awarded to members of the Air Force who distinguish themselves by exceptionally heroic or meritorious service. This award is typically given to pilots, navigators, and crew chiefs who are critical to the operation of any military aircraft.
It is roughly equivalent to the Silver Star, Navy Cross, and Bronze Star. The Air Force Cross is typically awarded following the death of a servicemember in battle, or for other acts that are deemed to be exceptionally heroic.
The criteria for the award of the Air Force Cross is extremely high – it cannot be awarded posthumously, and only if all other medals/honors have been received. It is typically given for acts of valor during an aerial combat, or for acts that saved a number of lives during a critical situation.
The Air Force Cross is typically awarded for acts of valor during combat, or for acts that saved a number of lives during a critical situation. It cannot be awarded posthumously, and only if all other medals/honors have been received.
The Air Force Cross is typically awarded following the death of a servicemember in battle, or for other acts that are deemed to be exceptionally heroic. The criteria for the award of the Air Force Cross is extremely high – it cannot be awarded posthumously, and only if all other medals/honors have been received. It is typically given for acts of valor during an aerial combat, or for acts that saved a number of lives during a critical situation.
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the ninth highest award in the U.S. military and is awarded to any service member who distinguishes themselves by acts of heroism above and beyond the call of duty. This award is typically given to junior officers who have completed meritorious service and warrant officers who have completed significantly challenging tasks.
It is roughly equivalent to the Air Force Cross, Navy Cross, and Bronze Star. The Silver Star is typically awarded for acts that have saved a number of lives during a critical situation – or for acts of valor during combat. It can also be awarded for meritorious service if it was performed with an exceptional degree of heroism.
The criteria for the award of the Silver Star is extremely high – it cannot be awarded posthumously, and only if all other medals/honors have been received. It is typically given for acts of valor during an aerial combat, or for acts that saved a number of lives during a critical situation.
The Silver Star is typically awarded following the death of a servicemember in battle, or for other acts that are deemed to be exceptionally heroic. The criteria for the award of the Silver Star is extremely high – it cannot be awarded posthumously, and only if all other medals/honors have been received. It is typically given for acts of valor during an aerial combat, or for acts that saved a number of lives during a critical situation.
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the tenth highest award in the U.S. military and is awarded to any service member who distinguishes themselves by acts of heroism above and beyond the call of duty. This award is typically given to junior officers who have completed meritorious service and warrant officers who have completed significantly challenging tasks.
It is roughly equivalent to the Air Force Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star. The Navy Cross is typically awarded for acts that have saved a number of lives during a critical situation – or for acts of valor during combat. It can also be awarded for meritorious service if it was performed with an exceptional degree of heroism.
The criteria for the award of the Navy Cross is extremely high – it cannot be awarded posthumously, and only if all other medals/honors have been received. It is typically given for acts of valor during an aerial combat, or for acts that saved a number of lives during a critical situation.
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal (often referred to simply as “the Bronze”) is the fourth highest award in the U.S. military and is awarded to any service member who distinguishes themselves by extraordinary heroism while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces after January 1, 1943; while engaged in operations against an enemy of the United States; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the U.S. is not a belligerent party.
The Bronze Star Medal is typically awarded for acts that merit the Silver Star, but do not meet the criteria of that award. It can also be awarded for acts of valor during combat, or for meritorious service if it was performed with an exceptional degree of heroism. The criteria for the award of the Bronze Star Medal is extremely high – it cannot be awarded posthumously, and only if all other medals/honors have been received. It is typically given for acts of valor during an aerial combat, or for acts that saved a number of lives during a critical situation.
Airman’s Medal
The Airman’s Medal is the fourth highest award in the U.S. military and is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Armed Forces after April 5, 1917; distinguishes themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy; and who engaged in military operations against an opposing armed force; or who served with distinction during said time period as determined by their commanding officer.
Silver Moon Award
The Silver Moon Award is the tenth highest award in the U.S. military and is awarded to service members with less than 10 years of military service who have completed at least two meritorious service-related tasks. The award is typically given to non-commissioned officers who have completed at least one year of service in the armed forces. These are only five of the most prestigious American military awards, but there are many more that can be awarded to those who distinguish themselves in service to the nation.