In December of 1944 the Secretary of the Navy established the Navy Unit Commendation, which is awarded in the name of the Secretary of the Navy to any ship, aircraft, detachment, or other unit of the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished itself in action against an enemy. To earn these military ribbons the [...]
The War Department established the Meritorious Service Plaque in August of 1944. Additional awards were indicated by gold Award Stars, and later a gold Numeral inside the wreath on the plaque. Personnel from units that received these military awards were allowed to wear a Meritorious Service Unit Insignia on their sleeve. In May of 1947 [...]
The Valorous Unit Award was created in 1964 as the second highest decoration given to U.S. Army units. These military ribbons are considered the unit equivalent of the Silver Star, and are awarded to Army units which display extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States. These military awards may also [...]
The Air Force Meritorious Unit Award was created by the Secretary of the Air Force in March of 2004. These military ribbons are bestowed for exceptionally meritorious unit conduct for at least a 90 day period during operations against an armed enemy. While service in the combat zone is not required, the unit’s activities must [...]
The Gallant Unit Citation is an Air Force award created in March of 2004 for Air Force units that distinguishes itself by extraordinary heroism while engaged in armed combat with an enemy force. These military ribbons are awarded for actions showing a lesser degree of gallantry and determination than required for the Presidential Unit Citation, [...]
The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a relative newcomer to the pantheon of military ribbons. Defense Secretary Weinberger established it in June of 1981, and it is the only unit award given by the Defense Department. These military awards are the unit equivalent of the Defense Superior Service Medal. It is presented to joint units [...]
The first version of a Presidential Unit Citation was established in February of 1942 for the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps, and was called the Distinguished Unit Citation. Two decades later, the Navy and the Marine Corps changed their version of these military ribbons to the Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation. [...]
The first version of a Presidential Unit Citation was established in February of 1942 for the Army, the Navy and the Marine Corps, and was called the Distinguished Unit Citation. After the Air Force was made a separate branch in 1947 they also adopted the Distinguished Unit Citation. Both the Army and the Air Force [...]
The Air Force Combat Action Medal is one of the newest Air Force medals, having first been awarded in June of 2007, though it may retroactively be bestowed on Air Force personnel back to September 11, 2001. These military awards are presented to airmen for their participation in combat activities, and while recommended at the [...]
The Combat Action Ribbon was created in February of 1969 as a military award for Navy and Marine Corps service persons who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. These military ribbons can also be awarded to Coast Guard personnel who are operating under the control of the Navy. President Clinton retroactively extended the eligibility [...]
