ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Navy Distinguished Service Medal was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 253, 65th Congress), approved February 4, 1919. EFFECTIVE DATES The Navy Distinguished Service Medal has been in effect since April 6, 1917. CRITERIA The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, while serving in […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Air Force Commendation Medal was established by Secretary of the Air Force James H. Douglas, Jr. and promulgated in Air Force General Orders Number 16 of March 28, 1958. EFFECTIVE DATES The Air Force Commendation Medal has been in effect since March 24, 1958 (earlier awards used the Army Commendation Medal). CRITERIA […]
Ribbon Checker and Order of Precedence Keeping track of which ribbon should be mounted where can be confusing. Dr. Michael R. Gustafson, who is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, and a Lieutenant in the Naval Reserve, has developed an excellent “ribbon checker.” Even though it was developed for […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Navy Medal of Honor was established by Act of Congress, December 21, 1861. EFFECTIVE DATES For enlisted members, the Navy Medal of Honor has been in effect from April 15, 1861, to the present; for officers, it has been in effect since March 3, 1915. CRITERIA The Medal of Honor is awarded […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Air Force Medal of Honor was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 86-593, 86th Congress, approved August 10, 1956). EFFECTIVE DATES The Air Force Medal of Honor has been in effect since November 1, 1965. CRITERIA The Medal of Honor is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Air Force Cross was originally established by Act of Congress (Public Law 193, 65th Congress approved July 9, 1918) as the Distinguished Service Cross. Public Law 86-593, approved by Congress on July 6, 1960, amended Title 10 of the United States Code by authorizing the Air Force to present a distinctive version […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Joint Service Achievement Medal was established on August 3, 1983, by Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger. EFFECTIVE DATES The Joint Service Achievement Medal has been in effect since August 3, 1983. CRITERIA The Joint Service Achievement Medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Army Medal of Honor was established by Joint Resolution of Congress, July 12, 1862. EFFECTIVE DATES The Army Medal of Honor has been in effect since April 15, 1861. CRITERIA The Medal of Honor is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of one’s life, above and beyond the call […]
ESTABLISHING LEGISLATION The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal derives from the Army Distinguished Service Medal, which was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 193, 65th Congress) approved July 9, 1918. The Act which established the Army Distinguished Service Medal was amended by Act of Congress on July 6, 1960 (Public Law 86-593, 86th Congress), […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The DoT 9-11 Ribbon was established by Seretary of Transporation Norman Y Mineta following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 EFFECTIVE DATES The DoT 9-11 Ribbon was in effect from September 11, 2001 to September 11, 2002. CRITERIA The DoT 9-11 Ribbon was awarded to individuals serving in any capacity with the […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Arctic Service Medal was established by Admiral Owen W. Siler, Commandant of the Coast Guard, on May 20, 1976. EFFECTIVE DATES The Arctic Service Medal has been retroactively awarded for qualifying service since January 1, 1946. CRITERIA The Arctic Service Medal may be awarded to any member of the Coast Guard who […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year ribbon was established by the Commandant of the Coast Guard on February 16, 1999. EFFECTIVE DATES The Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year Ribbon is retroactive to 1994 CRITERIA The Enlisted Person of the Year program was designed to recognize exemplary men and women […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Special Operations Service Ribbon was established on July 1, 1987, by Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Paul A. Yost, Jr. EFFECTIVE DATES The Special Operations Service Ribbon has been in effect since July 1, 1987. CRITERIA The Special Operations Service Ribbon is awarded to personnel of the Armed Forces serving in […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal was established by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James on May 27, 2014. EFFECTIVE DATES The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal may be awarded for qualifying service from June 1, 1992 until a date to be determined. CRITERIA The Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal may […]
