Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces facts for kids

Ribbons, devices, and badges worn on a U.S. Navy uniform. These show a service member's achievements.

The awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces are special medals, ribbons, and badges given to members of the U.S. Armed Forces. These awards show off the amazing things a service member has done during their time serving the country. They are a way to honor bravery, hard work, and important achievements.

Understanding U.S. Military Awards
Awards No Longer Given Out
Awards from Other Countries
See also
Images for kids

Understanding U.S. Military Awards

The U.S. military gives out many different awards. These awards are given for various reasons, like showing great courage or doing excellent work. Each branch of the military (like the Army, Navy, or Air Force) might have slightly different rules for how awards are given out.

Top Awards for Heroism and Service

Here are some of the most important awards given to service members:

Award Name	What it's for
Personal Awards
Medal of Honor	The highest award for incredible bravery and risking one's life far beyond what's expected.
Distinguished Service Cross (Army) Navy Cross Air Force Cross Coast Guard Cross	Given for amazing heroism during combat.
Defense Distinguished Service Medal Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (Army) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (Air and Space Forces) Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal	Given for outstanding service in a very important leadership role.
Silver Star Medal	Awarded for bravery during a battle.
Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit	Given for excellent or especially good service.
Distinguished Flying Cross	Awarded for heroism or amazing achievements while flying.
Soldier's Medal Navy and Marine Corps Medal Airman's Medal Coast Guard Medal	Medals for bravery when not in combat.
Bronze Star Medal	Given for heroism in a combat zone or for excellent service in a war zone.
Purple Heart	Awarded to those wounded or killed in combat.
Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal	For valuable service and achievements.
Air Medal Aerial Achievement Medal (Air and Space Forces)	Awards for achievements in the air.
Joint Service Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Air and Space Commendation Medal Coast Guard Commendation Medal	Given for good service or achievements.
Joint Service Achievement Medal Army Achievement Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Air and Space Achievement Medal Coast Guard Achievement Medal	For specific achievements.
Commandant's Letter of Commendation (Coast Guard)	A special letter of praise from the Coast Guard leader.
Navy Combat Action Ribbon Combat Action Medal (Air and Space Forces) Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon	Given for being in direct combat.

Awards for Groups and Teams

Sometimes, entire groups or units in the military receive awards for their excellent performance.

Award Name	What it's for
Unit Awards
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) Presidential Unit Citation (Navy and Marine Corps) Presidential Unit Citation (Air and Space Forces) Presidential Unit Citation (Coast Guard)	Given to units that show amazing heroism in battle.
Joint Meritorious Unit Award DHS Outstanding Unit Award Valorous Unit Award (Army) Navy Unit Commendation Gallant Unit Citation (Air and Space Forces) Coast Guard Unit Commendation	Given to units for outstanding service or bravery.
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Award (Air and Space Forces) Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation	For excellent service by a unit or team.
Army Superior Unit Award Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award	For superior performance by a unit.
Navy "E" Ribbon Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award Coast Guard "E" Ribbon	Awards for units that show great efficiency and readiness.

Awards for Service and Training

These awards recognize a service member's time in the military, their good behavior, or special training they've completed.

Award Name	What it's for
Service Awards
Prisoner of War Medal	Given to those who were prisoners of war.
Army Good Conduct Medal Navy Good Conduct Medal Air Force Good Conduct Medal Space Force Good Conduct Medal Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal	For good behavior and conduct during service.
Combat Readiness Medal (Air and Space Forces)	For being ready for combat.
Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon Outstanding Guardian of the Year Ribbon Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon	Given to outstanding service members of the year.
Air and Space Recognition Ribbon	For special recognition.
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal	For service in the military reserves.
Navy Expeditionary Medal Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal	For taking part in military expeditions.
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal	For service during the Global War on Terrorism.
Korea Defense Service Medal	For service in defense of Korea.
Armed Forces Service Medal	For service in specific military operations.
Humanitarian Service Medal	For helping in humanitarian efforts.
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal	For excellent volunteer service.
Antarctica Service Medal Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal	For service in extreme cold regions.
Air and Space Campaign Medal Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal	For specific air, space, or remote operations.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal	For taking part in specific campaigns or expeditions.
Army Sea Duty Ribbon Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon Navy Arctic Service Ribbon	For service at sea or in expeditionary roles.
Army Overseas Service Ribbon Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon Air and Space Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon Air and Space Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon	For serving in other countries.
Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon	For special duties or operations.
Air and Space Longevity Service Award	For long service in the military.
Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon Navy Accession Training Service Ribbon Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon Marine Corps Combat Instructor Ribbon Developmental Special Duty Ribbon (Air and Space Forces) Army Recruiting Ribbon	For recruiting new members or for training roles.
Navy Ceremonial Guard Ribbon Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon	For serving in ceremonial or security guard roles.
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon Air Force NCO PME Graduate Ribbon	For completing professional development training.
Navy Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon Air Force Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon Coast Guard Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon	For being an honor graduate in basic training.
Army Service Ribbon Air and Space Training Ribbon	For completing basic training.

Marksmanship Awards

These awards are given to service members who show excellent skill in shooting.

Award Name	What it's for
Marksmanship Awards
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Air and Space Forces) Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon	For excellent skill in shooting rifles or pistols.

Different Military Branches

Each branch of the U.S. military has its own specific awards and ways of recognizing service:

Awards for all branches
Army awards
Navy and Marine Corps awards
Air Force and Space Force awards
Coast Guard awards

To show that someone has received an award multiple times, or for extra achievements, special devices (small pins) are added to the ribbons and medals.

Awards No Longer Given Out

Over time, some military awards are stopped or become "inactive." This usually happens when the conflicts or events they were given for are over. However, some inactive awards, like the National Defense Service Medal, might be given again in the future if needed.

Older Awards and Medals

Here are some examples of awards that are no longer given:

Award Name	What it was for
Personal Awards (Inactive)
Certificate of Merit Medal	For special merit.
Marine Corps Brevet Medal	For bravery in combat.
Specially Meritorious Service Medal	For especially good service.
Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon	For special commendation in the reserves.
Army Wound Ribbon	For being wounded in action.
Older Campaign and Service Medals
Civil War Campaign Medal	For service in the American Civil War.
Indian Campaign Medal	For service in the Indian Wars.
China Campaign Medal (Army) China Relief Expedition Medal (Navy)	For service in the China Campaign.
Spanish Campaign Medal	For service in the Spanish–American War.
World War I Victory Medal	For service in World War I.
World War II Victory Medal	For service in World War II.
Korean Service Medal	For service in the Korean War.
Vietnam Service Medal	For service in the Vietnam War.
Southwest Asia Service Medal	For service in the Persian Gulf War.
Afghanistan Campaign Medal	For service in the Afghanistan War.
Iraq Campaign Medal	For service in the Iraq War.

Awards That Were Proposed or Discontinued

Some awards were planned but never officially given out, or they were stopped before anyone received them.

Distinguished Warfare Medal
Cold War Victory Medal

One-Time Awards

Single service awards were special military awards created for a single, important event. For example, the Four Chaplains' Medal was given in 1960 to honor four chaplains who died together during World War II. These types of awards are not given out anymore.

Awards from Other Countries

U.S. military members can also wear awards given to them by other countries or international groups. These are approved by the State Department. These foreign awards can be for high-ranking officers, for bravery, or for service in other countries.

Hundreds of foreign and international awards have been approved for U.S. military personnel since World War I. Here are a few common ones:

Award Name	From Which Country / For What
World War I Awards
French Legion of Honor	France's highest award.
French Croix de guerre	A French award for bravery in combat.
World War II Awards
French Croix de guerre	A French award for bravery in World War II.
Philippine Defense Medal	For defending the Philippines.
Korean War Awards
United Nations Service Medal	From the United Nations for service in Korea.
Republic of Korea War Service Medal	From South Korea for service in the Korean War.
Vietnam War Awards
RVN Gallantry Cross (with Palm)	From South Vietnam for bravery.
RVN Campaign Medal with 1960- device	From South Vietnam for service in the Vietnam War.
Persian Gulf War Awards
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)	From Kuwait for helping to liberate Kuwait.
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)	From Saudi Arabia for helping to liberate Kuwait.

During World War I and II, France and Belgium also gave out special cords called Fourragère to entire units for their bravery. Service members could wear these cords if they were part of the unit during the battle that earned the award.

Today, most foreign military awards are given only to very high-ranking officers when they finish their time in a major command.

Images for kids

Medal of Honor ribbon
Distinguished Service Cross ribbon
Navy Cross ribbon
Air Force Cross ribbon
Coast Guard Cross ribbon
Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon
Homeland Security Distinguished Service Ribbon
Distinguished Service Medal ribbon
Navy Distinguished Service ribbon
Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon
Coast Guard Distinguished Service ribbon
Silver Star ribbon
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon
Legion of Merit ribbon
Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon
Soldier's Medal ribbon
Navy and Marine Corps Medal ribbon
Airman's Medal ribbon
Coast Guard Medal ribbon
Bronze Star ribbon
Purple Heart ribbon
Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon
Air Medal ribbon
Aerial Achievement Medal ribbon
Joint Service Commendation ribbon
Army Commendation Medal ribbon
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon
Air Force Commendation Medal ribbon
U.S. Coast Guard Commendation Medal ribbon
Joint Service Achievement ribbon
Army Achievement Medal ribbon
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement ribbon
Achievement Medal USAF
U.S. Coast Guard Achievement Medal ribbon
Combat Action Ribbon
Air Force Combat Action ribbon
United States Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon
United States Army and U.S. Air Force Presidential Unit Citation ribbon
United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon
AF Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon
Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation ribbon
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
DHS Outstanding Unit Award
Valorous Unit Award ribbon
Navy Unit Commendation ribbon
Gallant Unit Citation ribbon
Coast Guard Unit Commendation ribbon
Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon
Air Force Meritorious Unit ribbon
Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon
Meritorious Team Commendation ribbon
Army Superior Unit Award ribbon
Outstanding Unit ribbon
Battle Effectiveness Award ribbon
Organizational Excellence ribbon
Coast Guard Excellence Ribbon
Prisoner of War ribbon
Army Good Conduct Medal ribbon
United States Navy Good Conduct Medal ribbon
Air Force Good Conduct ribbon
Space Force Good Conduct Medal Ribbon
Marine Corps Good Conduct ribbon
Coast Guard Good Conduct ribbon
Combat Readiness Medal ribbon
Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon
Space Force Guardian of the Year Ribbon
Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
Army Reserve Achievement ribbon
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal ribbon
Selected Marine Corps Reserve ribbon
Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Ribbon
Armed Forces Reserve Medal ribbon
Navy Expeditionary Medal ribbon
Marine Corps Expeditionary ribbon
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon
Korea Defense Service ribbon
Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon
Humanitarian Service ribbon
Outstanding Volunteer Service ribbon
Antarctica Service Medal ribbon
Coast Guard Arctic Service ribbon
Air and Space Campaign ribbon
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal ribbon
Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal ribbon
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal ribbon
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon
U.S. Army Sea Duty Ribbon
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
U.S. Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon
Naval Reserve Sea Service Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Navy Arctic Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
USCG Overseas Service Ribbon
AF OS Short Tour Ribbon
U.S. Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon
Restricted Duty Ribbon
Special Operations Service Ribbon
Longevity Service Award USAF
Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon
Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon
Coast Guard Recruiting Service Ribbon
Navy Recruit Training Service Ribbon
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon
USMC Combat Instructor Ribbon
USA Air Force Special Duty Ribbon
USA Army Recruiting Ribbon
Navy Ceremonial Guard Ribbon
Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon
NCO Professional Development Ribbon
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
U.S. Navy Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
USAF Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
Coast Guard Honor Graduate Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
USAF Marksmanship ribbon
Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon
Coast Guard Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon
Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon
Certificate of Merit Medal ribbon
Marine Corps Brevet Medal ribbon
Specially Meritorious Service Medal ribbon
Reserve Special Commendation Ribbon
Army Wound Ribbon
USA - DOT Distinguished Service Medal
Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award
Bicentennial Unit Commendation ribbon
West Indies Naval Campaign ribbon
Blueyellowribbon
United States Antarctic Expedition Medal
Civil War Campaign Medal ribbon
Indian Campaign Medal ribbon
China Campaign Medal ribbon
Spanish Campaign Medal ribbon
West Indies Campaign Medal ribbon
Spanish War Service Medal ribbon
Army of Cuban Occupation ribbon
Army of Cuban Pacification service ribbon
Army of Puerto Rican Occupation ribbon
Philippine Campaign Medal ribbon
Philippine Congressional Medal ribbon
Nicaraguan Campaign ribbon 1912
Haitian Campaign Medal ribbon
Dominican Campaign Medal ribbon
Nicaraguan Campaign ribbon 1933
Yangtze Service Medal ribbon
Mexican Service Medal ribbon
Mexican Border Service Medal ribbon
World War I Victory Medal ribbon
Army of Occupation of Germany ribbon
China Service Medal ribbon
American Defense Service Medal ribbon
Women's Army Corps Service ribbon
American Campaign Medal ribbon
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon
World War II Victory Medal ribbon
Medal for Humane Action ribbon
Army of Occupation ribbon
Korean Service Medal - Ribbon
Vietnam Service Medal ribbon
Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon
KosovoRib
Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon
Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon
National Defense Service Medal ribbon
U.S. Naval Reserve Medal ribbon
Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon
Fleet Marine Force Ribbon
Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal
Military Training Instructor Ribbon
Air Force Recruiter Ribbon
Distinguished Marksman and Pistol Shot Ribbon
Distinguished Marksmanship Ribbon
Distinguished Pistol Shot Ribbon
USA Distinguished Warfare Medal ribbon
Noribbon
Cold War Victory Medal ribbon
FourChapRibbon
Cardenas Medal ribbon bar
NC-4 Medal ribbon bar
Perry Polar Expedition Medal ribbon
Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal
SECOND BYRD ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION Medal
9-11 Medal ribbon
United States Navy Good Conduct Medal ribbon
Legion Honneur Chevalier ribbon
Order of the Bath UK ribbon
Medaille militaire ribbon
Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 ribbon
BEL Croix de Guerre WW1 ribbon
Czechoslovak War Cross 1918 Ribbon
Order of Abdon Calderon First Class
Ruban de la Médaille militaire
Nicaraguan Medal of Military Merit
Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 ribbon
BEL Croix de Guerre 1944 ribbon
LUX Croix de Guerre ribbon
Czechoslovak War Cross 1939-1945 Ribbon
Luxembourg Croix de guerre unit
Philippine Defense ribbon
Phliber rib
PHL Independence Medal ribbon
Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines)
Order of Adolphe of Nassau ribbon
MEX Order of the Aztec Eagle 5Class BAR
Order of the British Empire (Military) Ribbon
BEL Kroonorde Officier BAR
Ordre de Léopold O ribbon
Order of Orange-Nassau ribbon
MAR Order of the Ouissam Alaouite - Officer (1913-1956) BAR
Order of Precious Tripod with Special Grand Cordon ribbon
POL Virtuti Militari Srebrny BAR
POL Order Orła Białego BAR
Order of the White Eagle War Merit ribbon
Ned WillOrd rib
United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon
Republic of Korea War Service Medal ribbon
Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)
Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order Ribbon-First Class
Vietnam Navy Distinguished Service Order Ribbon-First Class
Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order Ribbon-First Class
Vietnam Military Merit Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with palm
Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross Bronze Wing ribbon
Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross, Gold Anchor ribbon
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal ribbon-First Class
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal ribbon-First Class
Vietnam Staff Service Medal ribbon-First Class
Vietnam Special Service Medal ribbon
Vietnam Training Service Medal ribbon-First Class
Presidential Unit Citation (Vietnam)
Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d
VNCivilActionsRibbon-2
Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon
United Nations Medal ribbon
MFO Medal ribbon
Inter-american defense board medal ribbon
NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar
NATO medal for Kosovo ribbon
NATO Medal ribbon (Non-Article 5)
Peruvian Cross of Aeronautical Merit
GER Bundeswehr Honour Cross Gold ribbon
Order of Bahrain - 5th Class
Military Merit Order First Class Ribbon
Order of the Crown of Thailand - Medal (Thailand) ribbon
Gold Award of the Iraqi Order of the Date Palm Ribbon
ARG Order of May - Knight BAR
Order of the Sword - Ribbon bar
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 2 BVK
Cavaliere OMRI BAR
Tong-il Security Medal Ribbon
JPN Kyokujitsu-sho blank BAR
BRA - Order of the Southern Cross - Knight BAR

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Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.