Awards Builder

Awarded to an individual who distinguished themselves by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a MOH, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from their comrades.

Awarded by the Secretary of Defense to officers of the Armed Forces of the United States whose exceptional performance of duty and contributions to national security or defense have been at the highest levels. “C” device may be authorized.

Awarded to any person who has distinguished themselves by exceptional meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility. The performance must be such as to merit recognition for service that is clearly exceptional. Exceptional performance of normal duty will not alone justify this award. “C” device may be authorized.

Awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force. The required gallantry, while of lesser degree than that required for the DSC, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.

Awarded by the Secretary of Defense for superior meritorious service while in a position of significant responsibility. “C” and “R” devices may be authorized.

Awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. Bronze oak leaf clusters (Army, Air Force) or gold stars (Navy, Marine Corps) represent additional awards. “V” device is worn by Navy/Marine Corps personnel to denote valor. “C” and “R” devices may also be authorized.

For heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The act of heroism must be a voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. “V” device is worn by Navy/Marine Corps personnel to denote valor. “C” devices may also be authorized.

For heroism involving voluntary risk of life under conditions other than actual conflict with an opposing armed force.

For heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving aerial flight, in connection with operations against an opposing armed force. Bronze oak leaves for additional awards. Bronze "V" worn to denote valor.

Awarded for wounds or death resulting from an act of an opposing armed force or received during acts of terrorism. Bronze oak leaves (Army, Air Force) or gold stars (Navy, Marine Corps) for additional awards.

Awarded for noncombat meritorious achievement or service while assigned to a joint activity. Bronze oak leaves for additional awards. “R” device may be authorized.

For outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States. Bronze oak leaves for additional awards. “R” device may be authorized.

For heroic or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. "V" device worn to denote valor (Army, Navy, Marine Corps). “C” device may also be authorized. Numerals are worn to indicate total awards.

Awarded for meritorious service or achievement while assigned to a Joint Staff or Joint Activity of DOD. Bronze "V" device worn to denote valor. “C” and “R” devices may be authorized. Bronze oak leaves for additional awards.

Awarded for acts of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service, which has been of mutual benefit to a friendly nation and the United States. Bronze "V" device worn to denote valor. “C” and “R” devices may also be authorized. Bronze oak leaves for additional awards.

Awarded for outstanding performance of duty and meritorious achievement while assigned to a joint activity. “C” and “R” devices may be authorized. Bronze oak leaves for additional awards.

Awarded for meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for award of the ARCOM. “C” and “R” devices may be authorized. Bronze oak leaves for additional awards.

Awarded to units for gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions. Bronze oak leaf clusters for additional awards.

Awarded to units participating in joint service activities for meritorious achievement or service superior to that which is normally expected. Bronze oak leaf clusters for additional awards.

Awarded to units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States. Bronze oak leaf clusters for additional awards.

Awarded to units for valorous or meritorious achievement or service, or exceptionally meritorious conduct and outstanding achievement or service, in combat or non-combat. Bronze oak leaf clusters for additional awards.

Awarded to units for outstanding meritorious performance of a difficult and challenging mission carried out under extraordinary circumstances. Bronze oak leaves for additional awards.

Awarded to any person who was taken prisoner or held captive while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded to any active duty enlisted member of the United States military who completes three consecutive years of honorable and faithful service. Bronze (2-5) and silver (6-10) knots indicate total awards.

Awarded to active members of the Reserve or National Guard that have performed three years of satisfactory duty. Bronze oak leaves for additional awards.

Awarded to military members who served on active duty between President Roosevelt's declaration of a limited national emergency on September 8, 1939 and the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Bronze stars are worn in lieu of any authorized clasps.

Awarded to recognize those military members who served in the American Theater of Operations during World War II. Bronze service stars are authorized to service members who participated in combat with Axis forces within the American Theater.

Awarded to any service member who served in the Asiatic-Pacific theater from 1941 to 1945 for at least 30 days. Bronze star, arrowhead and Fleet Marine Force devices may be authorized.

Awarded to any service member who served in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) from 1941 to 1945 for at least 30 days. Bronze star, arrowhead and Fleet Marine Force devices may be authorized.

Awarded for service during World War II (between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946). No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded to service members who have performed at least thirty consecutive days of military duty within a designated geographical area of military occupation. The Berlin Airlift device may be authorized.

Awarded to service members who have served over 120 days within the geographical boundary of Berlin in support of the Berlin Airlift between the dates of June 26, 1948 and September 30, 1949. No devices are worn on this award.

Military service during periods of national emergency or any other periods designated by the Secretary of Defense. The NDSM has been awarded for four specific time periods, which roughly correspond to the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf War eras as well as the Global War on Terrorism. Bronze stars indicate additional awards.

Awarded to service members who served in the Republic of Korea between June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954 (prior to the Armistice). Bronze star, arrowhead and Fleet Marine Force devices may be authorized.

Awarded to personnel who train or serve for ten days stationed on the Antarctic continent or aboard vessels in Antarctic waters. The Wintered Over device indicates the numbers of winters served in Antarctica: bronze for one winter, gold for two winter, silver for three or more winters.

Awarded for military operations for which no other U.S. campaign medal is approved. Bronze stars indicate additional awards. Arrowhead and Fleet Marine Force devices may be authorized.

Awarded for service in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia from July 4, 1965 through March 28, 1973. Bronze stars indicate total number of campaigns (there should always be at least one). Arrowhead and Fleet Marine Force devices may be authorized.

Awarded to service members who served in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War (Desert Storm and Desert Shield). Bronze stars indicate total number of campaigns (between one and three). The Fleet Marine Force device may also be authorized.

Awarded to personnel who served for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in the Kosovo Air Campaign or Kosovo Defense Campaign. A bronze star is worn for each campaign (one or two). The Fleet Marine Device may also be authorized.

Awarded to any service member who has performed duty within the borders of Afghanistan (or it’s airspace) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days. A bronze star is worn for each campaign. Arrowhead and Fleet Marine Devices may also be authorized.

Awarded to any service member who has performed duty within the borders of Iraq (or it’s airspace) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days. A bronze star is worn for each campaign. Arrowhead and Fleet Marine Devices may also be authorized.

Awarded to any service member who has performed duty in Iraq, Syria, or contiguous waters or airspace retroactively from 15 June 2014 to a date yet to be determined. A bronze star is worn for each campaign. Arrowhead and Fleet Marine Devices may also be authorized.

Awarded to any service member who has performed duty in a deployed status and participated in a designated anti-terrorism operation for a period of either 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty. A bronze star is worn for each additional operation. Arrowhead and Fleet Marine Devices may also be authorized.

Awarded to any service member who has performed duty in a designated anti-terrorism operation for a period of either 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty. In rare circumstances a battle star may be authorized.

Awarded to any service member who has performed duty within the borders of South Korea (or it’s airspace) for a period of thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days after July 28, 1954. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded to deployed service members who engage in "significant activity" for which no other U.S. campaign or service medal is authorized. Bronze stars indicate additional awards.

Awarded to any service member (including Reserve and National Guard members) who distinguishes himself or herself by meritorious participation in specified military acts or operations of a humanitarian nature. Bronze stars indicate additional awards.

Awarded to any service members (including Reserve and National Guard) who perform substantial volunteer service to the local community above and beyond their required duties. Bronze stars indicate additional awards.

Awarded to service members who have performed military duty while stationed on a United States Navy, Coast Guard, Army, or NOAA vessel at sea and/or members of the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard who have been forward-deployed with their home unit. Bronze stars for additional awards.

Awarded for service performed by officers and enlisted members of the reserve components. If the medal is awarded for periods of service an hourglass device is worn. A bronze, silver or gold hourglass indicates 10, 20 or 30 years of service respectively. If the medal is awarded in connection with a mobilization an "M" device is worn. A numeral device indicates the total number of mobilizations.

Awarded to Army noncommissioned officers who have a prescribed leadership course at a NCO training school. Numerals indicate the highest level course completed: 2 – ALC, 3 – SLC, 4 – MLC, 5 – SMC, 6 – NLC.

Awarded for completion of initial entry training. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded to any Army service ribbon who completes a standard overseas tour of duty. Numerals indicate total awards.

Awarded to Army Reserve Components for successful completion of annual training or ADT for a period not less than 10 consecutive duty days on foreign soil. Numerals indicate total awards.

Awarded to Air Force personnel who have served in units involved with national strategic nuclear deterrence operations. Oak leaf clusters indicate additional awards. Those personnel who work in direct support of ICBM operations and dispatch to missile complexes may be authorized to wear a “N” device.

Awarded to military personnel, civilians, and Armed Forces units and organizations in recognition of deeds of valor or heroic conduct while in combat. Individuals were personally cited at the Armed Forces (palm device), Corps (gold star device), Division (silver star device), Brigade or Regiment (bronze star device) level.

Awarded to commissioned officers of the military who contributed to the formation and organization of the Vietnamese military in South Vietnam and who participated in cadre training of Vietnamese units. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded to warrant officers and enlisted personnel of the military who contributed to the formation and organization of the Vietnamese military in South Vietnam and who participated in cadre training of Vietnamese units. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded to commissioned officers of the military that performed outstanding achievements in the field of civil affairs. Individuals were personally cited at the Armed Forces (palm device), Corps (gold star device), Division (silver star device), Brigade or Regiment (bronze star device) level.

Awarded to warrant officers and enlisted personnel of the military that performed outstanding achievements in the field of civil affairs. Individuals were personally cited at the Armed Forces (palm device), Corps (gold star device), Division (silver star device), Brigade or Regiment (bronze star device) level.

Awarded to any service member which participated in the defense of the Philippine Islands between December 8, 1941 and June 15, 1942. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded to recognize military service during the last eleven months of World War II when the military of Japan was driven from the Philippines before their surrender in September 1945. Bronze star devices are worn for each qualifying operation.

Awarded to recipients of both the Philippine Defense and Philippine Liberation medals. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded to certain units of the United States military for actions both during and subsequent to World War II. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded in recognition of allied military service to South Korea during the Korean War. All United States military departments were authorized the unit award for that period. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded to certain units for the U. S. Armed Forces for humanitarian service in the evacuation of civilians from North and Central Vietnam. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded to Armed Forces units and organizations in recognition of deeds of valor or heroic conduct while in combat. Individuals were personally cited at the Armed Forces (palm device), Corps (gold star device), Division (silver star device), Brigade or Regiment (bronze star device) level.

Awarded to Armed Forces Units that performed outstanding achievements in the field of civil affairs. Individuals were personally cited at the Armed Forces (palm device), Corps (gold star device), Division (silver star device), Brigade or Regiment (bronze star device) level.

Awarded to any military service member who participated in the defense of South Korea between the dates of June 27, 1950 and July 27, 1954. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded to any military officer who completes a tour of service with the Inter-American Defense Board. A silver star is awarded for one year of service; a gold star for two years; two gold stars for between three years and five; and three gold stars for more than five years.

Awarded for any action in which a member of the military participated in a joint UN activity. The most common United Nations medal is the standard UN decoration known as the United Nations Medal. Service stars, clasps or numerals are authorized devices depending on the regulations of the various armed forces. Some of the more commonly awarded variants of the UN Medal are available. Please contact medals@marlowwhite.com for more information.

Awarded for 30 days service as a NATO military service member. Regulations do not permit the wearing of operation bars on the NATO award. If a service member is entitled to more than one NATO medal, they wear the ribbon of the first NATO medal they received and a bronze star for each additional award. See AR 600-8-22, Chapter 9, Section 9-11 for all details.

Awarded for 30 days service as a NATO military service member. Regulations do not permit the wearing of operation bars on the NATO award. If a service member is entitled to more than one NATO medal, they wear the ribbon of the first NATO medal they received and a bronze star for each additional award. Only one NATO award may be worn. See AR 600-8-22, Chapter 9, Section 9-11 for all details.

Awarded for 30 days service as a NATO military service member. Regulations do not permit the wearing of operation bars on the NATO award. If a service member is entitled to more than one NATO medal, they wear the ribbon of the first NATO medal they received and a bronze star for each additional award. See AR 600-8-22, Chapter 9, Section 9-11 for all details.

Awarded for 30 days service as a NATO military service member. Regulations do not permit the wearing of operation bars on the NATO award. If a service member is entitled to more than one NATO medal, they wear the ribbon of the first NATO medal they received and a bronze star for each additional award. Only one NATO award may be worn. See AR 600-8-22, Chapter 9, Section 9-11 for all details.

Awarded to any service member who served at least ninety cumulative days as a member of the Multinational Force and Observers. Numeral devices indicate total awards.

Awarded to service members for support of operations in Vietnam. A “1960-“ banner is always worn on this award.

Awarded for service in Saudi Arabia to personnel who served within the designated war zone during the period from Jan to Feb 1991. A gold palm device is always worn on the ribbon.

Awarded for service in Kuwait for participation in or support of Operation Desert Shield and/or Desert Storm. No devices are worn on this award.

Awarded for service in Korea between 1950 and 1953. No devices are worn on this award.

ARMY RECRUITING RIBBON