ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Air Force Gallant Unit Citation was established by Secretary of the Air Force James G. Roche. EFFECTIVE DATES The Air Force Gallant Unit Citation is effective retroactive to September 11, 2001. CRITERIA The Air Force Gallant Unit Citation is awarded to Air Force active duty, Reserve, and Guard units for extraordinary heroism […]
BACKGROUND Until 1981 the accomplishments of joint activities could only be recognized by unit awards of the separate services. However, because each service had different requirements for its own unit awards, it became necessary for the Department of Defense to create its own unit award to recognize outstanding performance by joint activities. As a result, […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was established by Decree 147/SL/CT of May 12, 1964; Decree 205/LDQC/SL of December 2, 1965, and Decree 101/CT/LDQC/ND of March 17, 1967. It was authorized as a unit award by Decree 58/QP/ND of January 20, 1968. ACCEPTANCE BY THE UNITED STATES Acceptance and wear of this […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Coast Guard Unit Commendation was established on January 1, 1963, by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Edwin J. Roland. EFFECTIVE DATES The Coast Guard Unit Commendation has been in effect since January 1, 1963. CRITERIA The Coast Guard Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Commandant and designated subordinate awarding […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Legion of Merit was established by Act of Congress (Public Law 671, 77th Congress) approved July 20, 1942, and by Executive Order 9260 signed on October 29, 1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. EFFECTIVE DATES Award of the Legion of Merit is retroactive to September 8, 1939. CRITERIA The Legion of Merit […]
BACKGROUND INFORMATION Service During a Period of National Emergency Historically military service in peacetime has been quite different from service during time of war. During peacetime personal risk, family separation, and other hardships are reduced, and military service is essentially a matter of training and preparation for war. Once war has been declared the major […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal was established when Secretary of the Navy Fred A. Korth approved National Naval Policy Board (1960) Report, promulgated by BUPERS Notice 1650 of June 25, 1962. Originally only a ribbon, the medal was authorized by Secretary of the Navy Paul H. Nitze on June 22, 1964. EFFECTIVE […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Navy Good Conduct Medal was established on April 26, 1869, by Secretary of the Navy A.E. Borie. EFFECTIVE DATES The original Navy Good Conduct Medal was in effect from 1870 to 1884. CRITERIA The first style Navy Good Conduct Medal was issued to any honorably discharged sailor who was recommended by his […]
MEDALS FOR RESERVE SERVICE (Index Page) ©2007, Foxfall Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved Members of the Reserve forces occupy a time-honored place in the American military tradition. They are unique because they typically straddle both civilian status and military service. In many cases members of the Reserve components serve for prolonged periods of time in […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Naval Reserve Medal was established by Secretary of the Navy James K. Paulding on September 12, 1938. EFFECTIVE DATES The Naval Reserve Medal was worn for qualifying service between September 12, 1938 and September 12, 1958. CRITERIA The Naval Reserve Medal was awarded to commissioned officers and enlisted members of the Naval […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal was established by Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor on March 3, 1971, and was implemented by Department of the Army General Orders Number 30 (1971). EFFECTIVE DATES The Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal has been awarded for qualifying service from March 3, 1972 to the […]
Background Information War is extremely disruptive: the areas of combat operations typically experience servere damage to economic and agricultural resources as well as the collapse of economic and educational institutions. Indeed, the very fabric of society almost always suffers from severe damage and social disruption. This is why is not enough to win the war; […]
Background Information One of the most persistent problems in the development of the medals and ribbons since the end of the Second World War has been the absence of clear rules or principles that govern what should (or should not) be established. The medals listed in this section are clear examples of medals that should […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was established by Rear Admiral William F. Reynolds, Commandant of the Coast Guard, on May 18, 1921. EFFECTIVE DATES The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal has been awarded for qualifying service to enlisted members of the Coast Guard from May 17, 1920, to the present. CRITERIA The […]
