Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)

September 2, 2010 – 4:54 am

Kuwait Liberation (Saudi Arabia) Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the Saudi Arabian government.  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 of the Coalition Forces who participated in Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait between January and February of 1991.  It is considered the rarer of the two Kuwait Liberation Medals, and for this reason is established as the senior in precedence.  These military ribbons and medals were awarded for service in support of Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and within the borders of Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.  Eligibility for these awards include all combat duty, or serving for one or more days in ground/shore operations, aboard navel vessels or aircraft supporting military operations, or serving for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days on temporary duty in support of the Gulf War operations. 

These military medals are worn below the Vietnam Campaign Medal and above the Kuwait version of the Kuwait Liberation Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for the display of all military medals and ribbons.   These awards can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins.  They are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons.  Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin ribbons to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays possible.

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Take Pride in Your Marine Corps Decorations

September 1, 2010 – 12:53 pm

The United States Marine Corps were first established in the year 1798 as the sea branch of the United States Armed Forces.  In keeping with the long standing traditions of all branches of the United States Armed Forces, the Navy and the Marine Corps both award their personnel with a number of US military medals to recognize above average service and outstanding performance.  These medals of America are a prestigious sign of years spent in service or in honor of a specific accomplishment.  There are Navy and Marine Corps medals for acts of heroism, meritorious achievement, and meritorious service.

Any United States military medal that is issued by the Navy or Marine Corps for service or achievement is honorable.  All recipients should be proud of their achievement and the time that they have devoted to the service of our county.  Military ribbons and medals are designed to show gratitude for a service member’s time and performance.  Whether the award is handed out for years spent in service or for a commendable act, receiving a medal is a special affair.

Of the many US military medals that are available for Navy and Marine Corps servicepersons to earn, the ones mentioned below are a few of the more well known.  The Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal is awarded for three years of satisfactory service in the Naval Reserves.  The Navy Good Conduct Medal is another service award that is issued to all Navy and Marine Corps personnel that complete three years of satisfactory service.

The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal is awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by an heroic act that does not involve any actual conflict with an enemy.  This could pertain to acts of heroism such as saving another person’s life where there was no immediate danger arising from an active combat situation.  The Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal serves the same purpose but is reserved for higher ranking officers.

The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to members of the United States Navy and Marine Corps that distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to our country’s government in a duty of great responsibility. This award is reserved for higher ranking officers amongst the Navy and Marine Corps.

The Navy Cross awards are military medals that may be awarded to any Naval Officer that has distinguished himself in combative action by extraordinary heroism.  This award is reserved for those that have performed courageous acts in the face of great danger and is the highest medal that can be issued by the U.S. Navy.  The only higher medal available is the Medal of Honor which can be awarded by the United States Congress to any serviceperson in the United States Armed Forces whose heroic actions are deemed worthy of this prestigious decoration.

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Vietnam Campaign Medal

August 31, 2010 – 5:11 pm

Vietnam Campaign Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they were presented by the Republic of South Vietnam.  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 bestowed foreign military awards for United States service persons prior to the Gulf War.  United States military personnel who served outside of Vietnam, but provided direct combat support services to the Vietnam War for a period exceeding 6 months could also received these military ribbons if they had also been awarded either the Vietnam Service Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Vietnam service.  For service members who were wounded by enemy forces, captured in the line of duty, or killed in action, the Vietnam Campaign Medal was automatically awarded regardless of time in service.     

The Vietnam Campaign Medal may also display the “1960 Bar” device.  This unusual device features a “1960- (blank)” because when South Vietnam issued the bar they intended to add the date of their final victory in the blank when it occurred.  Since they were defeated, the final date was never added.  An earlier version of this bar features the dates of 1949-1954.  While American service personnel are authorized to wear this device, very few are eligible since the time covered was during the French colonial period.

The US considers the Vietnam Campaign Medal to be a foreign award which must be worn below all US issued decorations.  The United States issues equivalent military awards know as Vietnam Service Medals.  The Vietnam Campaign Medal is worn below the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal and above the Kuwait Liberation Medals in the general order of precedence that has been established for the display of all United States military medals and ribbons.  These military awards can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins.  Like most military medals, it is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons.  Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin ribbon racks to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays possible.

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Multinational Force and Observers Medal

August 30, 2010 – 9:42 pm

United Nations Multinational Force and Observers Medals are not US military medals, but international awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the United Nations.  The Multinational Force and Observers Medal was created in March of 1982 as an international military decoration under the authority of the Director-General of the Multinational Force and Observers established to monitor the neutral ceasefire zone between Egypt and Israel after the Yom Kippur War of 1973.  These military medals were issued to US service members who served at least ninety cumulative days as a member of the Multinational Force and Observers.  These military ribbons were first issued in July of 1982, but were made retroactive to August of 1981.  After March of 1985, the time requirement was increased to a minimum of 170 days of service to earn these military awards.  This new time requirement is waived if the award must be presented posthumously, or the service member must be evacuated for a medical emergency.   

The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is considered a non-US service award, and is worn below all US decorations, but before the foreign issued awards of individual countries.  The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is worn below the NATO Medal and above the Inter-American Defense Board Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for all US military medals and ribbons.  Additional presentations of these military medals are denoted by Award Numerals.  Silver Numerals, beginning with “2″ are worn on the medal ribbon to indicate additional periods of service with the same mission.   The Multinational Force and Observers Medal is generally available to all US military personnel who meet the criteria stated above, and can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins.  It is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; or the newer thin mini-medals, and ultra thin military ribbons that have become so very popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.

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United Nations Military Observer Medal

August 29, 2010 – 11:46 am

United Nations Military Observer Medals are not US military medals, but international awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the United Nations.  The United Nations Military Observer Group was established in 1949 to facilitate the creation of truce terms between India and Pakistan.  Military medals were created to commemorate this service and are awarded to service personnel serving under the auspices of the UN in this capacity for 6 months or more.  The most recent incarnation of these military ribbons were awarded for UN service during the United Nations India-Pakistan Observation Mission lasting from 1965 through 1966. 

The United Nations Military Observer Medal is awarded for 6 months of service, but Silver Numerals are approved for wear on the medal or ribbon to denote additional periods of service on the same mission.  These military awards are worn below the Inter-American Defense Medal and above the Multinational Forces Observer Medal in the order of precedence for all US military medals and ribbons.  The United Nations Military Observer Medal is generally available to all US military personnel who meet the criteria stated above, and can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins.  They are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; or the newer thin mini-medals, and ultra thin military ribbons that have become so very popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.

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Inter-American Defense Board Medal

August 28, 2010 – 6:01 pm

Inter-American Defense Board Medals are not US military medals, but international awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the Inter-American Defense Board.  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 members of the Organization of American States.  These military medals are awarded to international military officer who completes a tour of service with the Inter-American Defense Board.  These military ribbons also honor all military personnel who serve as staff members of the Inter-American Defense Board Chairman, Secretariat, or complete instructor tours in the Inter-American Defense College.   In the United States, the Inter-American Defense Board Medal was first authorized for branch military members in May of 1981, and is worn below United States decorations and before military awards of individual foreign countries.

The Inter-American Defense Board Medal is a one-time decoration but additional duty tours may be designated with Service Stars.  A Silver Service Star or Bar is awarded for one year of service; a Gold Star or Bar for two; two Gold Bars or Stars for between three years and five; and three Gold Stars or Bars for more than five years’ service.  The Inter-American Defense Board Medal is worn below the United Nations Korean Service Medal and above the United Nations Observer Medal in the general order of precedence which has been established for the proper display of all United States military medals and ribbons.  These military awards are available to all US military personnel who meet the criteria stated above, and can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins.  They are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons.  Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin ribbon racks to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays possible.

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United Nations Korea Medal

August 27, 2010 – 7:56 am

United Nations Service Medals for Korea are not US military medals, but international awards, and unlike the medals of America, they are presented by the United Nations.  The United Nations Service Medal for Korea was established by the United Nations in December of 1950.  These military medals were the first United Nations medals to be established, and the first international awards ever created.  These military ribbons recognize the multi-national defense forces which served in the Korean War.  These military medals are presented to any military service member of South Korea’s allied Armed Forces who participated in the defense of South Korea between June 1950 and July 1954.

The award authority for the United Nations Service Medal for Korea is the United Nations Commander-in-Chief of military forces in South Korea.  However, most countries consider these military medals to be automatic service awards and grant them without requesting permission through United Nations channels.  In the United States military branches, the receipt of a Korean Service Medal is automatically accompanied by a United Nations Service Medal for Korea.  In November of 1961, the United Nations changed the name of these military ribbons to the United Nations Service Medal Korea, since other United Nations medals were being prepared.    Since the United Nations has no medal for bravery or lifesaving actions, United Nations military personnel can also be awarded a United Nations Commendation by the Force Commander to recognize selfless actions in combat situations. 

The United Nations Service Medal Korea is worn below the Vietnam Civil Action Medal and above the Inter-American Defense Board Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for the display of all United States military medals and ribbons.  These military awards are generally available to all United States service personnel who served in South Korea during the specified times and can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins.  It is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons.  Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin ribbon racks to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays possible.

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Vietnam Civil Actions Medal

August 26, 2010 – 2:35 pm

Vietnam Civil Actions Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they were presented by the Republic of South Vietnam.  The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was established in 1964 by the government of South Vietnam.  These military medals were mid-level civil service awards presented to any member of the Vietnamese military who performed outstanding civic service to the state or who participated in civil service actions of significant benefit.  These military ribbons were awarded in two classes, with the first class intended for commissioned officers and the second for enlisted personnel.  It was not possible to upgrade one class of these military awards into another or to wear both classes simultaneously.

A unit award of the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal also existed, known as the Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation.  These unit awards were also referred to as the Civil Actions Unit Awards with Palm or as the Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation with Civil Actions Colors.  The unit awards of the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal were presented to all members of a military command who had participated in civic actions with such a degree that would normally warrant the presentation of the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal. The unit award was presented as a military ribbon for the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal (First Class), enclosed in a Gold Frame with a centered Bronze Palm.  Regulations did permit the simultaneous presentation and display of both the full sized medal and the unit award, since the two awards were considered separate decorations.  The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was one of the more commonly bestowed Vietnam medals presented to the forces of foreign militaries.  In the US armed forces participating in the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation was most often awarded to units of the Army and Marine Corps which had participated in local police actions to suppress civil unrest in certain areas of South Vietnam.  

The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal is authorized for wear below the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and above the UN Korean Service Medal in the order of precedence for all military medals and ribbons for US service personnel.  Nowadays, the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal is an obsolete decoration since the awarding nation, the Republic of Vietnam, no longer exists.  The decoration is only available through private dealers of military insignia, who offer it as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins.  Like most military medals, it is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons.  Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin ribbon racks to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays possible.

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Vietnam Gallantry Cross

August 25, 2010 – 1:51 pm

Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medals are not US military medals, but foreign awards, and unlike the medals of America, they were presented by the Republic of South Vietnam. The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was established in August of 1950 by the government of South Vietnam.  These military medals were originally know as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and were awarded to any military personnel who had accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an enemy force.  Like the French Croix de guerre, upon which they were modeled, these military ribbons were issued in four ascending degrees: Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, Gallantry Cross with Gold Star, and Gallantry Cross with Palm.   These devices are not worn simultaneously, but with each new and higher award replacing the former one. 

The US military services authorized wear of the Vietnam Gallantry Cross in March of 1968, including retroactive presentations back to 1961.  The Vietnam Gallantry Cross received by US service personnel was also issued in three versions, the first of which was the standard Gallantry Cross which was issued to members of all military branches, as well as service members of foreign and allied militaries.  The other versions of the Gallantry Cross were the Air Gallantry Cross and Navy Gallantry Cross.  These military awards were presented under a different authority than the standard Gallantry Cross and were considered separate decorations.

In 1974, Army General Order Number 8 authorized the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation to every military unit of the United States Army which had served under the Military Assistance Command from 1961 to 1974.  This effectively granted the unit version of the award to any member of the U.S. Army who had served for any period of time in the Republic of Vietnam.  US Naval personnel uniform regulations state the recipient should wear only one Gallantry Cross award (medal or ribbon bar) regardless of the number received.  For multiple awards, wear as many authorized devices as will fit on one medal or ribbon bar. Wear the devices for subsequent awards in order of seniority from the wearer’s right.

The Vietnam Gallantry Cross also is issued as a unit award which is an entirely separate decoration from the full sized medal.  Known as the “Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm,” the unit citation award was created in 1968 and was issued as the Gallantry Cross ribbon, with a metal palm device, enclosed within a Gold Frame.  The unit citation was issued in the name of South Vietnam to any military unit which distinguished itself to the same level as would be required for the individual award. Regulations for the issuance of the Vietnam Gallantry Cross permit the wearing of both the individual and unit award simultaneously, since they are considered separate decorations.  The Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm was issued to every Allied nation which provided military support to Vietnam between March of 1961 and the fall of Saigon in April of 1975.  The unit decoration thus became the most commonly awarded Vietnamese decoration to foreigners, second only to the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

These military ribbons are authorized for wear by US service personnel below the Vietnam Training Service Medals and above the Vietnam Civil Action Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for the display of all military ribbons and medals.  The decoration itself, both full medal and unit citation, are considered foreign military decorations and are not provided to Vietnam veterans by any of the United States military services.  The award is available for purchase from better private military insignia dealers, and may be worn as traditional full size military medals, mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins.  It is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons.  Nowadays however, more and more military service personnel are realizing the value to their career goals of always having their uniform decorations looking their best, and have turned to the slimmer and trimmer thin military medals and mini medals and the ultra thin ribbon racks to provide them with the smartest looking military award displays possible.

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Show Pride in Your World War II Medals

August 24, 2010 – 4:16 am

World War II began with the sneaky German invasion of Poland in 1939. The war quickly escalated into a global conflict with two distinct sides in direct opposition, the Allied forces and the Axis powers.  The Axis powers were primarily comprised of Germany, Italy, and Japan while the Allied forces were a combined effort of military personnel from America, Britain, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, China, and France.  World War II brought about valiant behavior and courageous heroics by millions of service persons from many different countries.  There have been a number of medals of America that were awarded to distinguished American service people that served in the Second World War.

The most popular US military medals issued for service in World War II is the World War II Victory Medal. These military medals and ribbons were created by an act of Congress in July 1945 in order to commemorate military service during World War II. This specially created military award was given to any member of the United States military who served on either active duty or as a reservist between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946.

The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a medal of America specifically designed for the United States armed forces. These military ribbons and medals were issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and were intended to recognize those military service members who had performed service in what was referred to as the European Theater, which was another name for portions of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East during World War II.  Thousands of these medals were issued due to the large number of American service personnel who were stationed in these theaters of conflict.

The next World War II medal in prestige is the Army of Occupation Medal which is a military decoration that was established by the United States War Department in the aftermath of the war, in the year 1946.  In order to receive the Army of Occupation Medal, a service member was required to have performed for at least thirty consecutive days of active military duty.  It was designed specifically to recognize service members who had performed occupation service in either Germany or Japan.  The original Army of Occupation Medal was designed solely for members of the United States Army, but eventually award of these military decorations were expanded to include the United States Air Force.  Since it was not presented by all branches of the United State military, fewer of these medals were awarded.

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government and was awarded to service members for their exemplary performance and heroism during World War II.  Nearly 500 Americans received this most prestigious of all military awards for their service in the Second World War; and over half of these service people received the medal posthumously. This medal is the most distinguished award that the United States Government bestows upon any member of any of its armed forces branches.

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