ESTABLISHING LEGISLATION The Pearl Harbor Survivor’s Medal was established by Act of Congress [in the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991]. EVENT COMMEMORATED This medal commemorates those who were present at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. Civilian employees of the Army or Navy are also eligible if they were […]
CAMPAIGN MEDALS UNIQUE TO THE SEA SERVICES © 2007, Foxfall Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved Return to Campaign and Expeditionary Medals (Main Index) Quick Reference: Campaign and Expeditionary Medals Home Page Link to Navy Campaign Medals Link to Navy Order of Precedence Chart
BACKGROUND INFORMATION For the first nine years of the Federal Government, naval affairs were administered by the Secretary of War. After realizing that a separate Navy was needed, it was established by Act of Congress on April 30, 1798. A “corps of marines” within the Navy Department was authorized by Congress on July 11, 1798. […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Armed Forces Service Medal was established by Executive Order 12985 signed by President William J. Clinton on January 11, 1996. EFFECTIVE DATES The Armed Forces Service Medal may be awarded for qualifying service performed on or after June 1, 1992. CRITERIA The Armed Forces Service Medal may be awarded to members of […]
BACKGROUND INFORMATION* The history of the United States Coast Guard extends back to the founding of the Republic. One of the acts of the first Congress was to establish protective tariffs to generate revenues for the new Nation. To enforce these tariffs, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton sought ten manned and armed cutters. On […]
BACKGROUND INFORMATION American military decorations (as we know them) have evolved over a period of more than one hundred and forty years. Interestingly, the system has been in a continuous process of defining itself downward during this period. It began with the establishment of the Medal of Honor during the Civil War, which itself got […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The China Campaign Medal was established by paragraph (c) of War Department General Orders Number 5 dated January 12, 1905. EFFECTIVE DATES The China Campaign medal was awarded for qualifying service between the inclusive dates of June 20, 1900, and May 27, 1901. CRITERIA The China Campaign Medal was awarded for military service […]
ESTABLLSHING AUTHORITY The Vietnam Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11231 signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 8, 1965. EFFECTIVE DATES The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded for qualifying service between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973. CRITERIA The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Southwest Asia Service Medal was established by Executive Order 12754 signed by President George Bush on March 12, 1991. EFFECTIVE DATES The Southwest Asia Service Medal is awarded for qualifying service from August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995 (during Operations Desert Sheild and Desert Storm). CRITERIA The Southwest Asia Service Medal […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Air Medal was established by Executive Order 9158 signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 11, 1942. Effective Dates The Air Medal is retroactive to September 8, 1939. CRITERIA The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Joint Service Commendation Medal was established by Secretary of Defense Robert E. McNamara on June 25, 1963. EFFECTIVE DATES The Joint Service Commendation Medal has been effective since January 1, 1963. CRITERIA The Joint Service Commendation Medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed […]
Return to top of page Military Decorations (Index Page) Quick Reference to All Decorations Home Page DECORATIONS COMMON TO ALL SERVICE BRANCHES (Index Page) © 2007 Foxfall Press, Inc., All Rights Reserved. BACKGROUND INFORMATION For many years the individual components of the Armed Forces were separate and distinct entities. They had their own unique command […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The Bronze Star Medal was established by Executive Order 9419 signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 4, 1944. EFFECTIVE DATES The Bronze Star Medal is retroactive to December 7, 1941. CRITERIA The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of […]
ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY The China Relief Expedition Medal was established for the Navy by Navy Department Special Orders Number 81 and for the Marine Corps by Navy Department Special Orders Number 82 on June 27, 1908. EFFECTIVE DATES The China Relief Expedition Medal was awarded for qualifying service between the inclusive dates of May 24, 1900, […]
