Originally established by the Secretary of War as a ribbon-only award in 1945,
the medal was added in 1949. Awarded to members of the US Army, on or after 07 DEC 1941,

"For Heroism, Meritorious Achievement, or Meritorious Service"

Bronze "V" device worn to denote Valor/Heroism in Combat.
Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters;
a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze

The Silver Star

Established by Congress on 09 JUL 1918.
For each Citation received by US Army personnel for gallantry in action, not sufficient to warrant the Medal of Honor or the Distinguished Service Cross, a 'Silver Star', 3/16-inch in diameter was authorized for wear on the suspension and service ribbons of appropriate service medals (World War I Victory Medal). This award was called the 'Citation Star'. On 08 AUG 1932, this decoration was revised by Congress and redesigned to its present form.

"For Gallantry in Action Against an Opposing Armed Force."

Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters;
a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze.

The Bronze Star

Established by order of the President on 04 FEB 1944, awarded to personnel of the US Armed Forces,
who on or after 07 DEC 1941, distinguished themselves:

"For Heroic or Meritorious Achievement of Service, not involving aerial flight,
in connection with Operations Against an Opposing Armed Force."

Special Circumstances for WW II Combat Veterans: AR 600-8-22, Chapter 3, Section 13. Bronze Star Medal d. (2) "Award may be made by letter application to  Commander ARPERCEN ATTN: DARP-VSE-A 9700 Page Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63132-5200 (enclosing documentary evidence, if possible), to each member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 6 December 1941, has been cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat against an armed enemy between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, inclusive, or whose meritorious achievement has been other wise confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947.  For this purpose, an award of the Combat Infantryman's Badge or Combat Medical Badge is considered as a citation in orders.  ..."

Bronze "V" device worn to denote Valor/Heroism.
Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters;
a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze.

Originally established by Commander-in-Chief George Washington on 07 AUG 1782, at Newburgh on the Hudson, New York, as an award for outstanding military merit, or the 'Badge of Merit'. The decoration was in the form of an embroidered, heart-shaped badge of purple cloth and only three non-commissioned officers received the Order at that time. Though never officially abolished it was not again awarded for almost one hundred and fifty years.

Upon its revival in 1932, as the Purple Heart, the decoration was to be awarded
to members of the US Army in two categories:

• "For being wounded in action in any war or campaign
  under conditions which entitle the wearing of a wound chevron."
• "For those persons who perform any singularly meritorious act
  of extraordinary fidelity or essential service."


In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an Executive Order which provided that the Purple Heart would be made available to members of all the US Armed Services who were wounded in action. Since then the Purple Heart has become one of the most highly respected decorations of the US Armed Forces. The decoration holds a very unique position in that it can be earned in only one way, by being wounded. An attendant requirement is that the wound must have been received as a direct result of enemy actions.

Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters;
a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze

Established by order of the President on 16 JAN 1969, as an award primarily for

"Outstanding Non-combat Meritorious Achievement or Service to the United States"

by any member of the US Armed Forces. Some portion of the completed service or achievement must have been made on or after 16 JAN 1969. In actuality, this decoration could be described as a 'fifth class' or grade of the Legion of Merit and finally one that could be awarded to enlisted personnel. This is exemplified by the reversal of the color (red-purple instead of purple-red) of the ribbon of the Legion of Merit.

Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters;
a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze.

Established by order of the President on 11 MAY 1942. Members of the US Armed Forces must have distinguished themselves after 08 SEP 1939

"For Meritorious Achievement while Participating in Aerial Flight."

Bronze "V" device worn to denote Valor/Heroism.
Subsequent awards denoted by bronze arabic Numerals.
Oak Leaf Clusters were initially used to denote subsequent awards of the Air Medal, but
the numbers of additional awards became so great that the OLC's did not fit on the ribbon.
As a result, the policy was changed, in September 1968, to require the use of Numerals.