General of the Army |
Major General |
General |
Lieutenant General |
Brigadier General |
Colonel |
Lieutenant Colonel |
Major |
Captain |
First Lieutenant |
Second Lieutenant |
Sergeant Major of the Army |
Sergeant Major |
Commander Sergeant Major |
First Sergeant |
Master Sergeant |
Sergeant First Class |
Staff Sergeant |
Sergeant |
Corporal |
Lance Corporal |
Private First Class |
Private |
The Distinguished Service Cross Established by order of the President 02 JAN 1918, confirmed by Congress 09 JUL 1918. Awarded to members of the US Army serving after 06 APR 1917, who distinguish themselves by: "Extraordinary Heroism in Connection with Military Operations Against an Opposing Armed Force." Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. |
The Medal of Honor This is the highest honor the United States can bestow on members of its Armed Forces. It is only presented by the President and is awarded in the name of Congress. Awarded "For Conspicuous Gallantry and Intrepidity at the Risk of Life, Above and Beyond the Call of Duty, in Action Involving Actual Conflict with an Opposing Armed Force." |
The Distinguished Service Medal Established by Presidential order on 02 JAN 1918, confirmed by Congress on 09 JUL 1918. Awarded to personnel of the US Army serving after 06 APR 1917, who distinguished themselves by: "Exceptionally Meritorious Service to the Government in a Duty of Great Responsibility." Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. |
The Silver Star Established by Congress on 09 JUL 1918. For each Citation received by US Army personnel for gallantry in action not sufficient to warrant the Medal of Honor or the Distinguished Service Cross, a 'Silver Star', 3/16-inch in diameter was authorized for wear on the suspension and service ribbons of appropriate service medals (World War I Victory Medal). This award was called the 'Citation Star', on 08 AUG 1932, this decoration was revised by Congress and redesigned to its present form. "For Gallantry in Action Against an Opposing Armed Force." Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. |
The Legion of Merit Established by Congress on 10 JUL 1942, in four degrees: Chief Commander, Commander, Officer, and Legionnaire; for award to personnel of Armed Forces of friendly foreign nations and personnel of the Armed Forces of the United States and the Philippines. Awarded for actions since the Presidential Proclamation of Emergency, 08 SEP 1939, "For Exceptionally Meritorious Conduct in the Performance of Outstanding Service." This is as close as the United States has come to creating an Order of the European type. It is the first specific decoration awarded to foreigners and the first decoration of the United States to be awarded in different degrees. Chief Commander: usually awarded to Heads of Foreign States Commander: usually awarded to Supreme Commanders of Foreign Military Officer: usually awarded to Officers of Foreign Military Legionnaire: usually awarded to Officers of the United States Military (Pictured Above) Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. |
The Distinguished Flying Cross Established by Congress on 02 JUL 1926, for award to any person who, serving any branch of the service including the National Guard and the Organized Reserves after 06 APR 1917: "For Heroism or Extraordinary Achievement while Participating in Aerial Flight." Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. |
The Soldier's Medal Established by Congress on 02 JUL 1926, "For Heroism by those serving with the US Army in any capacity that Involves the Voluntary Risk of Life under conditions Other Than Those of Conflict with an Opposing Armed Force." The same degree of Heroism is required as for the Distinguished Flying Cross. Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. |
The Bronze Star Established by order of the President on 04 FEB 1944, awarded to personnel of the US Armed Forces, who on or after 07 DEC 1941, distinguished themselves: "For Heroic or Meritorious Achievement of Service, not involving aerial flight, in connection with Operations Against an Opposing Armed Force." Bronze "V" device worn to denote Valor/Heroism. Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. |
The Purple Heart Originally established by Commander-in-Chief George Washington on 07 AUG 1782, at Newburgh on the Hudson, New York, as an award for outstanding military merit, or the 'Badge of Merit'. The decoration was in the form of an embroidered, heart-shaped badge of purple cloth and only three non-commissioned officers received the Order at that time. Though never officially abolished it was not again awarded for almost one hundred and fifty years. Upon its revival in 1932, as the Purple Heart, the decoration was to be awarded to members of the US Army in two categories: "For being wounded in action in any war or campaignunder conditions which entitle the wearing of a wound chevron." "For those persons who perform any singularly meritorious act of extraordinary fidelity or essential service." In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an Executive Order which provided that the Purple Heart would be made available to members of all the US Armed Services who were wounded in action. Since then the Purple Heart has become one of the most highly respected decorations of the US Armed Forces. The decoration holds a very unique position in that it can be earned in only one way, by being wounded. An attendant requirement is that the wound must have been received as a direct result of enemy actions. Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. |
The Air Medal Established by order of the President on 11 MAY 1942. Members of the US Armed Forces must have distinguished themselves after 08 SEP 1939 "For Meritorious Achievement while Participating in Aerial Flight." Bronze "V" device worn to denote Valor/Heroism. Subsequent awards denoted by bronze arabic Numerals. Oak Leaf Clusters were initially used to denote subsequent awards of the Air Medal, but the numbers of additional awards became so great that the OLC's did not fit on the ribbon. As a result, the policy was changed, in September 1968, to require the use of Numerals. |
The Army Commendation Medal Originally established by the Secretary of War as a ribbon-only award in 1945, the medal was added in 1949. Awarded to members of the US Army, on or after 07 DEC 1941, "For Heroism, Meritorious Achievement, or MeritoriousService" Bronze "V" device worn to denote Valor/Heroism in Combat. Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. |
The Prisoner of War Medal "Authorized for all US Military Personnel who were Taken Prisoner of War after 05 APR 1917, during an Armed Conflict, and who Served Honorably during the Period of Captivity." Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. |
United States Army Decorations |