Silver Star
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Army Commendation
Army Good Conduct
American Campaign
European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign
World War II Victory
Army of Occupation
National Defense Service
Korean Service
Armed Forces Reserve
United Nations Korean Service

Background Information
The Roman Legions awarded the first Legionnaire over the wall a laurel of oak leaves which was later changed to a gold button. Napoleon rewarded his bravest soldiers the Legion of Honor, which became an enduring symbol of excellence in France to this day.

During our revolution, we refuted all things such as medals that were attached to the King. Only a few individual medals were struck to honor General Washington and other key leaders. However, in 1782, General Washington proclaimed the Order of Military Merit for both bravery and meritorious service. After the Army disbanded, it fell into disuse until brought back by General Douglas MacArthur in 1932 as the Purple Heart.

The Civil War saw the introduction of the first medals of honor for the Army and Navy. The South really had no medals until the Southern Cross of Honor was established after the war.

After the Spanish American War, President Roosevelt, an ardent supporter of the military, decided to create medals for all conflicts from the Civil War to the Spanish American War. He began our country's policy of awarding campaign or service medals for each veteran who participated.

World War I saw the first Victory Medal and the use of devices such as stars, oak leafs and bars to denote additional awards or campaigns. New decorations were added to maintain the prestige of the Medal of Honor.

World War II saw the award system expand to provide a wider degree of decorations for valor and merit and more service medals to signify campaigns in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Korea saw the introduction of both a National Defense medal and a United Nations Service Medal. The Vietnam conflict saw U.S. troops receive a foreign service medal and the policy of accepting foreign service or campaign medals carried on to the Liberation of Kuwait in the 90's.

Today, there are two categories of military medals: decorations and medals. Decorations are awarded for valor or meritorious service. They are traditionally in the shape of a star, cross, hexagon or similar heraldic design. Although a few decorations are round, the circular shape is used almost exclusively for service medals. These medals are awarded for good conduct, participation in a particular campaign or expedition.

There are 4 official forms of a military medal...the 3 basic methods for wearing medals are Full Size, Miniature Medals on formal dress and Ribbon Bars. An Enamel Lapel Pin is worn on civilian suits and many Veterans use the enamel hat pin on their hats.

Source: Medals of America