There has been a lot of bad press about soldiers doing unpleasant or illegal things, particularly in Iraq. Most of these stories seem to be heralded by the anti-war press as indications that our military, and the former president’s political strategies, were and are morally bankrupt.
There is no doubt that occasional individuals lack the level [...]
First issued on the date of August 7, 1942, the Silver Star Medal is an award of the United States Armed Forces. The initial reason for authorizing this medal is that it was meant to be awarded to civilians as wells as members of the United States Army. The idea for the Silver Star award [...]
On January 2,1918, a Presidential Order created the first Distinguished Service Medal. It was the only one of its kind, and was awarded to all branches of the U.S. military until the Air Force established its own service version of these prestigious military medals in 1965. It is the highest non-valorous military decoration and civilian [...]
Created in the year of 1961, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a medal of the United States military. By order of President John F. Kennedy, this medal was created. This military medal was issued to any military personnel who had assisted in U.S. military services in which no other award had been authorized.
The Armed [...]
First issued on January 16, 1969, the Meritorious Service Medal is a military medal of the United States Armed Forces. This military award is authorized to U.S. Armed Forces personnel who have shown remarkable commitment to country by displaying outstanding performance in a non-combat arena. In addition to individuals performing meritorious service to the United [...]
The Senior Olympics were just held on the Stanford campus in California, and thousands of seniors came to compete in a large variety of events. I was amazed to watch dozens of Americans clear into their late nineties still wining medals for superior performance. It got me to wondering why we give awards for certain [...]
The Gold Lifesaving Medal is an extremely prestigious award to receive, and is a testament to the courage and bravery of its recipients. The Commandant of the Coast Guard awards this military medal to any person who rescues, or endeavors to rescue, any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other peril of the water. To [...]
Richard Nixon created the Defense Distinguished Service Medal through an executive order on July 9, 1970 to be awarded for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States. It is the highest of our peacetime military awards, and normally is only presented to very senior officers involved with [...]
Most of us have experienced a time when a loved one must leave to serve in the United States armed forces. When someone we love must leave for an undefined period of time this causes much stress, and worry. When a loved one or friend makes the decision to join the U.S. Armed Forces, this [...]
On August 7, 1942, Congress authorized the creation of the Silver Star as a U.S. Navy military award. Four months later, on December 15, 1942, Congress extended that authorization to create a U.S. Army decoration. Congress also made the Silver Star available for award to civilians. The Secretary of War had approved the Silver Star [...]
