History

The Distinguished Service Cross was established by President Woodrow Wilson on January 2, 1918. General Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Forces in France, had recommended that recognition other than the Medal of Honor, be authorized for the Armed Forces of the United States for service rendered, in like manner, to that awarded by the European Armies. The request for establishment of the medal was forwarded from the Secretary of War to the President in a letter dated December 28, 1917. The Act of Congress establishing this award (193-65th Congress) dated July 9, 1918 is contained in Title 10 United States Code (USC) 3742. The establishment of the Distinguished Service Cross was promulgated in War Department General Order No. 6, dated January 12, 1918. 

Prerequisites

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the United States Army’s second-highest award for valor in combat, surpassed only by the Medal of Honor. It is presented to service members who demonstrate extraordinary heroism while engaged in combat operations against an enemy of the United States, during military actions involving a hostile foreign force, or while serving alongside allied forces in an armed conflict.

The level of gallantry required for the Distinguished Service Cross must significantly exceed that recognized by other U.S. combat decorations. Recipients must have displayed exceptional courage and selfless devotion to duty under conditions of great danger, though their actions do not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor.

History

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) shall only be awarded to officers of the Armed Forces of the United States whose exceptional performance of duty and contributions to national security or defense have been at the highest levels. Such officers have direct and ultimate responsibility for a major activity or program that significantly influences the policies of the U.S. Government. Only under the most unusual circumstances will the DDSM be awarded as an impact award for outstanding TDY achievement. The DDSM is specifically intended to recognize exceptionally distinguished service and to honor an individual's accomplishments over a sustained period. 

Prerequisites

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) is awarded to officers and senior non-commissioned officers who have demonstrated exceptionally distinguished and meritorious service while serving in positions of significant responsibility. The medal is intended to recognize individuals whose leadership, dedication, and accomplishments have had a substantial and lasting impact on their organization and mission.

Award of the DDSM is reserved for those whose service stands well above that normally expected of their rank or position, reflecting sustained excellence over a single tour of duty and a minimum of ten years of service. It honors a career marked by outstanding performance, unwavering commitment, and contributions of exceptional value to the success of military operations and organizational objectives.

History

The Citation Star was established as a result of an Act of Congress on July 9, 1918 (65th Congress, Sess II, Chapter 143, page 873) and was promulgated in War Department Bulletin No. 43 dated 1918. It was retroactive to include those cited for gallantry in action in previous campaigns back to the Spanish-American War. Per letter from General Jervey, Office of the Chief of Staff, dated February 26, 1926, is quoted in part: The Secretary of War directs as follows - The following is the amended version of paragraph 187 of Army Regulation: "No more than one Medal of Honor or one Distinguished Service Cross or one Distinguished Service Medal shall be issued to any one person, but for each succeeding or act sufficient to justify the award of a Medal of Honor or Distinguished Service Cross or Distinguished Service Medal, respectively, a bronze oak leaf cluster, shall be issued in lieu thereof; and for each citation of an officer or enlisted man for gallantry in action, published in orders from headquarters of a force commanded by a general officer, not warranting the issue of a Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross or Distinguished Service Medal, he shall wear a silver star, 3/16 inch in diameter, as prescribed in Uniform Regulations." Army Regulation 600-40, paragraph 48, September 27, 1921, specified that the Citation Star would be worn above the clasp, on the ribbon of the service medal for the campaign for service in which the citations were given. On July 19, 1932, the Secretary of War approved the Silver Star medal to replace the Citation Star. This design placed the Citation Star on a bronze pendant suspended from the ribbon design. The star was no longer attached to a service or campaign ribbon. Authorization for the Silver Star was placed into law by an Act of Congress for the Navy on August 7, 1942 and an Act of Congress for the Army on December 15, 1942. The primary reason for congressional authorization was the desire to award the medal to civilians as well as the Army. The current statutory authorization for the Silver Star Medal is Title 10, United States Code, Section 3746.

Prerequisites

The Silver Star is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest decoration for valor in combat. It is awarded to service members who display exceptional gallantry while engaged in military operations against an enemy of the United States, during combat involving a hostile foreign force, or while serving alongside allied forces in armed conflict.

Recipients of the Silver Star must have demonstrated conspicuous courage and heroism under fire, with actions that clearly distinguish them from their peers. The degree of valor required must exceed that recognized by other U.S. combat awards, while falling short of the extraordinary heroism necessary for the Medal of Honor or one of the Service Crosses, such as the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross.

History

The Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) is the second highest award bestowed by the Department of Defense. Awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense, the award is presented to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility." Created on February 6th, 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford's Executive Order 11904, it is typically awarded only to senior officers of the Flag and General Officer grade. 

Prerequisites

The Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) is awarded to officers and non-commissioned officers who have rendered exceptionally superior service while serving in positions of substantial responsibility. The award recognizes individuals whose dedication, professionalism, and leadership have made a significant contribution to the success of their unit and its mission.

The DSSM is intended to honor sustained excellence over a single tour of duty, recognizing those who have consistently performed above the expectations of their rank and position. Award of the medal reflects a minimum of five years of distinguished service, marked by exceptional commitment, outstanding achievements, and a lasting positive impact on the organization.

History

The Legion of Merit is a decoration presented by the United States Armed Forces to members of the United States Military, as well as foreign military members and political figures, who have displayed exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The performance must be of significant importance and far exceed what is expected by normal standards. This award is seventh in the order of precedence of all U.S. military awards and is worn after the Defense Superior Service Medal and before the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Prerequisites

The Legion of Merit is the highest non-combat award within the unit, presented to personnel who demonstrate exceptionally meritorious service that significantly benefits the organization outside of official operations. It recognizes sustained dedication, leadership, initiative, and contributions that improve the unit’s capabilities, readiness, reputation, or long-term success. While there is no minimum time requirement, the award is intended for accomplishments that have a lasting impact and is not granted for isolated achievements that would be more appropriately recognized by lower-level awards.

• This decoration may be awarded for meritorious achievement or service that clearly exceeds normal expectations and provides substantial benefit to the unit. It is not tied to any specific role or specialty and may not be awarded for combat or in-operation actions. Recommendations for the Legion of Merit may only be submitted by Company Leadership or higher, reflecting the prestige and significance of the award.

History

Awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. 

Prerequisites

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is awarded to aviators, pilots, and crew chiefs who distinguish themselves through extraordinary achievement or heroism while participating in aerial flight. Recipients must demonstrate exceptional courage, skill, or dedication during flight operations through actions that greatly exceed the normal expectations of their role.

The DFC may be awarded for a single act of remarkable heroism or a series of actions that reflect outstanding performance in support of mission objectives. The level of achievement recognized by this award represents a significant contribution to operational success and sets the recipient apart from their peers.

History

General George C. Marshall, in a memorandum to President Roosevelt dated February 3, 1944, wrote: "The fact that the ground troops, Infantry in particular, lead miserable lives of extreme discomfort and are the ones who must close in personal combat with the enemy, makes the maintenance of their morale of great importance. The award of the Air Medal have had an adverse reaction on the ground troops, particularly the Infantry Riflemen who are now suffering the heaviest losses, air or ground, in the Army, and enduring the greatest hardships." The Air Medal had been adopted two years earlier to raise airmen’s morale. President Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star Medal by Executive Order 9419 dated 4 February 1944, retroactive to 7 December 1941. This authorization was announced in War Department Bulletin No. 3, dated 10 February 1944. The Executive Order was amended by President Kennedy, per Executive Order 11046 dated 24 August 1962, to expand the authorization to include those serving with friendly forces. As a result of a study conducted in 1947, the policy was implemented that authorized the retroactive award of the Bronze Star Medal to soldiers who had received the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical Badge during World War II. The basis for doing this was that the badges were awarded only to soldiers who had borne the hardships which resulted in General Marshall’s support of the Bronze Star Medal. Both badges required a recommendation by the commander and a citation in orders. 

Prerequisites

The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to personnel who distinguish themselves through meritorious achievement or service that significantly benefits the unit. It recognizes individuals whose dedication, performance, and contributions have enhanced the unit’s overall effectiveness and capabilities. The award may be presented for a single distinguished act or sustained service that exceeds normal expectations, but the level of achievement must remain below that required for the Legion of Merit.

• The Bronze Star Medal may also recognize exemplary conduct during ground combat against an armed enemy, including actions that demonstrate exceptional commitment and performance under combat conditions. It is not intended for individual incidents better suited for lower-level awards such as the Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, or Purple Heart. Additionally, the award may be used as an end-of-deployment recognition for personnel who demonstrate exceptional participation, including achieving 100% attendance across all named missions and shaping operations.

History

The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. 

Prerequisites

Awarded to soldiers selected as Soldier of the Half Year 1 (H1) or Half Year 2 (H2). 

History

The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by General George Washington by order from his headquarters at Newburgh, New York, August 7, 1782. The writings of General Washington quoted in part: "The General ever desirous to cherish a virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military Merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward". So far as the known surviving records show, this honor badge was granted to only three men, all of them noncommissioned officers: Sergeant Daniel Bissell of the 2d Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line; Sergeant William Brown of the 5th Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line, and Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the 2d Continental Dragoons, which was also a Connecticut Regiment. The original Purple Heart depicted on the first page is a copy of the badge awarded to Sergeant Elijah Churchill and is now owned by the New Windsor Cantonment, National Temple Hill Association, PO Box 525, Vails Gate, NY 12584. The only other known original badge is the badge awarded to Sergeant William Brown and is in the possession of The Society of the Cincinnati, New Hampshire Branch but differs in design by not having any lettering embroidered on the heart and the leaves are at the top only with a larger spray of leaves at the base. Subsequent to the Revolution, the Order of the Purple Heart had fallen into disuse and no further awards were made. By Order of the President of the United States, the Purple Heart was revived on the 200th Anniversary of George Washington's birth, out of respect to his memory and military achievements, by War Department General Orders No. 3, dated 22 February 1932. The criteria was announced in War Department Circular dated 22 February 1932 and authorized award to soldiers, upon their request, who had been awarded the Meritorious Service Citation Certificate or were authorized to wear wound chevrons subsequent to 5 April 1917. During the early period of World War II (7 Dec 41 to 22 Sep 43), the Purple Heart was awarded both for wounds received in action against the enemy and for meritorious performance of duty. With the establishment of the Legion of Merit, by an Act of Congress, the practice of awarding the Purple Heart for meritorious service was discontinued. By Executive Order 9277, dated 3 December 1942, the decoration was extended to be applicable to all services and the order required that regulations of the Services be uniform in application as far as practicable. This executive order also authorized award only for wounds received. Executive Order 10409, dated 12 February 1952, revised authorizations to include the Service Secretaries subject to approval of the Secretary of Defense. Executive Order 11016, dated 25 April 1962, included provisions for posthumous award of the Purple Heart. Executive Order 12464, dated 23 February 1984, authorized award of the Purple Heart as a result of terrorist attacks or while serving as part of a peacekeeping force subsequent to 28 March 1973. The Senate approved an amendment to the 1985 Defense Authorization Bill on 13 June 1985, which changed the precedent from immediately above the Good Conduct Medal to immediately above the Meritorious Service Medals. Public Law 99-145 authorized the award for wounds received as a result of "friendly fire". Public Law 104-106 expanded the eligibility date, authorizing award of the Purple Heart to a former prisoner of war who was wounded before 25 April 1962. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year1998 (Public Law 105-85) changed the criteria to delete authorization for award of the Purple Heart Medal to any civilian national of the United States while serving under competent authority in any capacity with the Armed Forces. This change was effective 18 May 1998. 

Prerequisites

The Purple Heart is awarded to personnel who are wounded or injured as a result of enemy action while serving in support of military operations. It recognizes those who have demonstrated exceptional courage and continued commitment to their mission despite sustaining injuries in the line of duty.

The award may also recognize individuals who, while wounded and serving in a leadership role, continue to demonstrate outstanding valor and determination that directly contributes to the success of the mission. Recipients must display selfless dedication and resilience in the face of adversity while placing mission accomplishment and the welfare of their personnel above their own safety.

History

At Tri-Department Awards Conference, 5-6 February 1968, there was a discussion on the need for a third meritorious award to provide appropriate recognition for noncombat achievement or service comparable to the Bronze Star Medal for combat achievement or service. It was felt that the Legion of Merit’s prestige was slipping because it was being used with increasing frequency to reward service below Legion of Merit standard, but higher than that required for the Commendation Medal. A proposed executive order was prepared in April 1968 and forwarded for approval to the Military Departments. An ad hoc committee was formed by the Secretary of Defense (M&RA) to select a name. On 8 November 1968, the committee unanimously approved the name "Meritorious Service Medal". President Johnson established the Meritorious Service Medal per Executive Order No. 11448 dated 16 January 1969. The Executive Order was amended by President Reagan per Executive Order 12312, dated 2 July 1981, to authorize award to members of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations. The decoration was designed by Mr. Jay Morris, The Institute of Heraldry, and the design was approved by the committee on 20 March 1969. The ribbon design purposely follows the colors used for the Legion of Merit to reflect the parallel between the two medals. The eagle, symbol of the nation, stands on laurel branches denoting achievement. The star is used to represent the military service and the rays emanating therefrom denote the constant efforts of individuals to achieve through excellent and meritorious service. 

Prerequisites

The Meritorious Service Medal shall be awarded to Soldiers who distinguished themselves, both in and outside of Combat Operations, that support the success of a Company. This medal can also be awarded to Soldiers who conduct distinguishable achievements warranting recognition higher then an Army Commendation Medal in individual situations or over a period of time.

Can also be utilized for end of deployment attendance awards: Soldiers that attend 100% of named missions will be eligible for a Meritorious Service Medal.