Medal of Honor

With the brief exception of Washington’s badge, the U.S. military did not authorize the award of any medals for valor until the Civil War. There are now three designs for the Medal of Honor: Army, Navy (which is also given to Marines) and the Air Force, which was not authorized its own design by Congress until 1960. The language governing the award calls for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in action involving actual combat with an opposing armed force.”

Distinguished Service Cross

In 1918, Congress passed an act that established a “Pyramid of Honor” that provided for lesser awards so military commanders would have a way to recognize heroic actions of different degrees. Among the first medals to be established below the Medal of Honor was the Distinguished Service Cross.

Navy Cross

In 1919, the Navy Cross was established for the sea services: the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.

Air Force Cross

The Air Force Cross was established in 1960. The language governing the award calls for “extraordinary heroism in actual combat with an opposing armed force.”

Silver Star

Congress established the Silver Star along with the Distinguished Service Cross in 1918. The language governing the award of the Silver Star calls for “gallantry in action while engaged in combat against an enemy or while serving in combat with friendly foreign forces.” The required gallantry, “while less than that required for the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.”

Distinguished Flying Cross

The Distinguished Flying Cross was authorized by President Calvin Coolidge in 1926 (retroactive to 1918) to honor aviation’s pioneers. Coolidge gave the first DFC to Charles Lindbergh on June 11, 1927. For the DFC to be awarded for heroism, the act “must involve voluntary action in the face of danger and be well above the actions performed by others engaged in similar flight operations.”

Bronze Star

The Bronze Star was established in February 1944 (retroactive to Dec. 6, 1941). The original purpose was to recognize the unique sacrifices of infantry soldiers. But defense officials quickly decided to expand its award to all of the services. The language governing the award of the Bronze Star includes “heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving aerial flight, while engaged in combat against an enemy or while serving in combat with friendly foreign forces.”

Air Medal

The Air Medal was established in 1942, specifically to protect the prestige of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Like the Bronze Star, the Air Medal can be awarded for both valor (indicated by the “V” device) and meritorious achievement or service. The Air Medal is awarded only for circumstances involving participation in aerial flight.

Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal

The Army Commendation Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States other than general officers who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after Dec. 6, 1941, distinguished himself/herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. The Navy and Air Force Commendation medals have the same medallion, but slightly different ribbons. (Army version pictured here.)

The "V" Device

In 1944, military officials decided to create a special “footnote” to the Bronze Star by authorizing a tiny brass “V,” for valor, that could be attached to the ribbon. The device, also known as “V” device, Combat V, or Combat Distinguishing Device, is authorized by all the services. The “V” is used as an attachment to a defined set of awards and decorations at or below the level of the Bronze Star. The Medal of Honor and Silver Star never include a “V” device, because valor is implicit in the award itself.