he
Badge of Military Merit, established by General George Washington
on August 7, 1782, was the first authorized U.S. military decoration.
A piece of cloth in the form of a heart, this decoration was
intended to recognize servicemen who displayed unusual gallantry
or extraordinary fidelity. Only three are known to have been
awarded, and the award fell into disuse after the Revolutionary
War. General Douglas MacArthur revived it as the Purple Heart
in 1932.
The
Medal of Honor was the next decoration to be specifically designed
and authorized for U.S. service members. It was established
on December 21, 1861, by President Abraham Lincoln for enlisted
men of the Navy and Marine Corps. Its use was later expanded
to include enlisted men and officers of all services.
Since
that time, many decorations have evolved. Changes in eligibility
criteria have been made over the years, and, in some cases,
decorations have fallen into disuse. However, the basic hierarchy
remains unchanged. The Medal of Honor remains the highest military
decoration that this nation can bestow upon a service member,
and lesser degrees of recognition are acknowledged by other
decorations in descending order.
This Web site provides graphics of the decorations and awards
that may be earned by service members of the armed forces, as
well as the order of precedence for wearing individual decorations
and awards.
Bush Establishes Medals for Global War on Terror
WASHINGTON President Bush has issued an executive order
establishing two military awards for actions in the global war
on terrorism.
The
president signed the order March 12 establishing the Global War
on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal.
A White House spokesman said the medals recognize the "sacrifices
and contributions" military members make in the global war
on terror.
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal will be awarded
to service members who serve in military expeditions to combat
terrorism on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Operation Enduring Freedom
is the prime operation the medal may be awarded for. Personnel
assigned to operations in Afghanistan and the Philippines are
examples of service members who will receive the award.
The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal will be awarded to service
members who serve in military operations to combat terrorism on
or after Sept. 11, 2001. Operation Noble Eagle is an example of
the type of operation the medal may be awarded for. more