http://www.history.army.mil/faq/FAQ-AwdPrec.htm
Medal of Honor
awarded by the President in the name of Congress to members of the service who conspicuously distinguish themselves by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty.
The Distinguished Service Cross
is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor.
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
awarded to high ranking military officers (Generals or Admirals), who perform exceptionally meritorious service in a degree of great responsibility with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Special or outstanding command in a Defense Agency or for any other Joint Activities designated by the Secretary of Defense.
Distinguished Service Medal
is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Army, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility.
Silver Star Medal
awarded by all branches of the Armed Forces to any person who, while serving in any capacity, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the US while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces against an opposing Armed Force in which the U.S. is not a belligerent party.
Defense Superior Service Medal
awarded by the Secretary of Defense to military officers who perform exceptionally with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, The Joint Chiefs of Staff, special or outstanding command in a defense agency or any other joint activity designated by the Secretary.
Legion of Merit Medal
degrees of Chief Commander, Commander, Officer, and Legionnaire are awarded only to members of armed forces of foreign nations under the criteria outlined in Army Regulation 672-7.
Distinguished Flying Cross Medal
awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the US, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty.
Distinguished Warfare Medal
awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who distinguish themselves, on or after September 11, 2001, by extraordinary achievement, not involving acts of valor, directly impacting, through any domain, combat operations or other military operations.
Soldier's Medal
is awarded for Distinguishing oneself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.
Bronze Star Medal
awarded a person in any branch of the military service who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the US on or after December 7, 1941, shall have distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.
Purple Heart Medal
awarded in the name of the President of the US to any member of an Armed Force who, while serving with the US Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed.
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
awarded to military personnel serving with or assigned to a number of joint activities including The Secretary of Defense, Organizations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Headquarters of Joint Commands.
Meritorious Service Medal
awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the US who distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the US subsequent to 16 Jan 1969.
Air Medal
awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself/herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service.
Joint Service Commendation Medal
member of the Armed Forces who distinguishes himself by meritorious achievement or service while serving in any specified activity after January 1, 1965, is eligible for this award.
Army Commendation Medal
presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star.
Joint Service Achievement Medal
awarded only to members of the Armed Forces of the United States below the grade of O-6 who, after August 3, 1983, distinguished themselves by outstanding performance of duty and meritorious achievement.
Army Achievement Medal
is awarded for Meritorious service or achievement in either combat or noncombat based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature but which does not warrant a commendation medal or higher.
Prisoner of War Medal
medal is issued only to those U.S. military personnel who were taken prisoner and held captive after 5 April 1917.
Army Good Conduct Medal
is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal Military service.
Army Reserve Achievement Medal
awarded for four years of honorable service as an active member of a unit in the Army Reserve or the National Guard\ with additional awards denoted by oak leaf clusters. Beginning 28 March 1995, the period of qualifying service for the award was reduced from four years to three years.
American Defense Service Medal
awarded to personnel for active duty service from 8 September 1939 to 7 December 1941 for a period of twelve months or longer.
Women’s Army Corps Service Medal
is awarded to any service member who was a member of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps between July 10, 1942, and August 31, 1943 or the Women's Army Corps between September l, 1943, and September 2, 1945. Is obsolete.
American Campaign Medal
awarded to personnel for service within the American Theater 7 Dec 1941 - 2 March 1946 under particular conditions.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
was awarded to personnel for service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater 7 December 1941 - 2 March 1946 under particular conditions.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
awarded to personnel service in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater 7 Dec 1941 - 8 Nov 1945, under the same conditions described under those for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. Same applies, Bronze Service Star and Arrowhead device.
World War II Victory Medal
awarded for any service period 7 Dec 41 - 31 Dec 46.
Army of Occupation Medal
awarded for thirty consecutive days at a normal post of duty on assignment to the armies of occupation.
Medal for Humane Action
medal commemorates military service in direct support of the Berlin Airlift. It was awarded to members of the Armed Forces for 120 consecutive days of service in, or in direct support of, the Berlin airlift, 26 June 1948 - 30 Sep 1949.
National Defense Service Medal
(Korean War), 27 June 1950 - 27 July 1954, (Vietnam War) 1 January 1961 - 14 August 1974, (Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM) 2 August 1990 - 30 November 1995, and currently (Global War on Terrorism )11 September 2001 to (DTBD).
Korean Service Medal
United States Armed Forces for service in Korea, 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days between June 27, 1950, and July 27, 1954.
Antarctica Service Medal
Military, U.S. citizen, or resident alien of the United States, who after Jan. 1, 1946 to (DTBD), served on the Antarctic continent or in support of U.S. operations there.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
U.S. military operations, after July 1, 1958, have participated in a United States military operations and encountered foreign armed opposition, or were in danger of hostile action by foreign Armed Forces.
Vietnam Service Medal
service members of the Armed Forces who between July 4, 1965 and March 28, 1973.
Southwest Asia Service Medal
served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD or DESERT STORM between 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995.
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Service members must be bonafide members of a unit participating in or be engaged in direct support of the Operation for 30 consecutive days in the AOE or for 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involves the entering the Operations AOE.
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
awarded to any member of the U.S. military who has performed duty within the borders of Afghanistan (or its airspace) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days.
Iraq Campaign Medal
awarded to any member of the U.S. military who performed duty within the borders of Iraq (or its territorial waters) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days.
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11, 2001 to a date to be determined.
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
recognizes those military service members who have performed service in the War on Terror from September 11, 2001 to a date to be determined.
Korea Defense Service Medal
authorized for those members of the United States Armed Forces who have served duty in South Korea after the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea.
Armed Forces Service Medal
awarded to personnel assigned to operations in an area designated by the (DOD).
Humanitarian Service Medal
distinguished themselves by meritorious direct participation (hands on) in a significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature, or have rendered a service to mankind.
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
awarded to whow, subsequent to 31 December 1992, perform outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct and consequential nature.
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
is issued to any officer or enlisted member or former member of the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces of the United States who completes or has completed a total of 10 years of honorable satisfactory service.
NCO Professional Development Ribbon
is issued by the U.S. Army for completion of any prescribed non-commissioned officer development courses.
Army Service Ribbon
is awarded for completion of any US Army Initial Entry Training course.
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
is presented to any member of the United States Army who completes a standard overseas tour of duty.
Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon
is presented to any member of the drilling reserves who completes ten or more consecutive days of active duty for training outside the contiguous United States.
Philippine Defense Ribbon
served from 8 Dec 41 to 15 Jun 42.
Philippine Liberation Ribbon
served from 17 Oct 44 to 3 Sep 45.
Philippine Independence Ribbon
is awarded to personnel who are recipients of both the Philippine Defense and Philippine Liberation ribbons.
United Nations Service Medal
awarded to officers and enlisted men of the armed forces of the United States who participated in the action in Korea between June 27, 1950, and July 27, 1954.
Inter-American Defense Board Medal
awarded to any military officer, serving in a member nation of the Organization of American States, who completes a tour of service with the Inter-American Defense Board.
United Nations Medal
is awarded to service members who are or have been in UN service.
NATO Medal-Former Republic of Yugoslavia
from 1 July 1992 - 12 October 1998.
NATO Medal for Kosovo
In accordance with Executive Order 11446, 16 January 1969, the Secretary of Defense has approved acceptance and wear by U.S. Serive members who meet criteria specified by the Secretary General of NATO effective 13 October 1998 -(DTBD).
Multinational Force Observer Medal
awarded to personnel who have served with the MFO at least ninety (90) cumulative days after 3 August 1981. Effective 15 March 1985, personnel must serve 6 months (170 days minimum) with the MFO to qualify for the award.
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Served for 6 months in South Vietnam 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73.
Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
served in support of Operation DESERT STORM between 17 January 1991 and 28 February 1991.
Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait
served in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993.
Presidential Unit Citation
awarded for Gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions.
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
awarded to Joint Activities of the Armed Forces of the US which have subsequent to January 23, 1979 distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious achievement or service in pursuit of joint military missions of great significance.
Valorous Unit Award
is awarded for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States of America.
Meritorious Unit Commendation
is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.
Army Superior Unit Award
is awarded for outstanding meritorious performance of a difficult and challenging mission carried out under extraordinary circumstances.
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
is awarded to certain units of the United States military for actions both during and subsequent to the Second World War.
Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal
military veterans must have served in the country of Korea, its territorial waters, or airspace within the inclusive period of 25 June 1950 - 27 July 1953.
Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
was awarded to certain units of the U.S. military deemed to have performed exceptional service to Vietnam. Obsolete.
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation
U.S. Armed Forces for valorous combat achievement during the Vietnam War, 1 Mar 61 to 28 Mar 73.
RVN Civil Actions Ribbon
Awarded to any U.S. service member performing outstanding civic service to the South Vietnamese state or who participated in civil service actions of significant benefit.
02/17/13 Added Distinguished Warfare Medal.
