1.
Kirksville, Missouri
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Kirksville is a city in and the county seat of Adair County, Missouri, United States. Located in the Benton Township, its population was 17,505 at the 2010 census, Kirksville is home to two colleges, Truman State University and A. T. Kirksville was laid out in 1841 on a 40-acre site, and was first incorporated in 1857. According to tradition, Jesse Kirk, Kirksvilles first postmaster, shared a dinner of turkey and whiskey with surveyors working in the area on the condition that they would name the town after him. Not only the first postmaster, Kirk was also the first to own a hotel, contrary to popular belief, the name of the city has no connection to John Kirk, onetime president of Truman State University from 1899 to 1925. However, the grandson of Jesse Kirk reported that the town was named for Kirk’s son John, the Battle of Kirksville was fought August 6–9,1862, during the American Civil War. Union troops led by John McNeil forced Confederate volunteers under Joseph Porter to vacate the city, casualty estimates range from 150-200 dead and up to 400 wounded. According to the August 12,1862, Quincy Herald there were 8 Federal dead and 25 wounded, the victorious Union commander, Colonel McNeil, gained brief national attention for his post-battle execution of a small number of Confederate prisoners. These prisoners had previously captured in battle and then paroled with the understanding they would no longer take up arms against the Union, upon penalty of death if recaptured. Nonetheless, Confederate government officials were outraged, and it is said that Confederate president Jefferson Davis even called for the execution of Colonel McNeil if he were to be captured. On the evening of April 27,1899, a passing through Adair County cut a path of destruction three blocks wide, killed 32 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings. On May 13,2009, Kirksville was again the victim of a large tornado, two residents living just outside the city limits were killed by the tornado, and as many as a dozen other area residents were injured. The story and extensive video of the 2009 twister was featured in season 2 of Storm Chasers on the Discovery Channel as well as a 2010 episode of Storm Stories on The Weather Channel. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 14.43 square miles. Kirksville anchors a micropolitan area that comprises Adair and Schuyler counties, as of the census of 2010, there were 17,505 people,6,714 households, and 3,066 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,216.5 inhabitants per square mile, there were 7,434 housing units at an average density of 516.6 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 92. 3% White,2. 2% African American,0. 2% Native American,2. 4% Asian,0. 1% Pacific Islander,0. 8% from other races, and 2. 0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2. 7% of the population,37. 8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11. 1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older
2.
United States
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Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U. S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean, the geography, climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 324 million people, the United States is the worlds third- or fourth-largest country by area, third-largest by land area. It is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century, the United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the following the Seven Years War led to the American Revolution. On July 4,1776, during the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain, representing the first successful war of independence against a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, after the Articles of Confederation, the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. During the second half of the 19th century, the American Civil War led to the end of slavery in the country. By the end of century, the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the status as a global military power. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the sole superpower. The U. S. is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States. The United States is a developed country, with the worlds largest economy by nominal GDP. It ranks highly in several measures of performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP. While the U. S. economy is considered post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy, the United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally, and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations. In 1507, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere America after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci
3.
United States Army
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The United States Armed Forces are the federal armed forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, from the time of its inception, the military played a decisive role in the history of the United States. A sense of unity and identity was forged as a result of victory in the First Barbary War. Even so, the Founders were suspicious of a permanent military force and it played an important role in the American Civil War, where leading generals on both sides were picked from members of the United States military. Not until the outbreak of World War II did a standing army become officially established. The National Security Act of 1947, adopted following World War II and during the Cold Wars onset, the U. S. military is one of the largest militaries in terms of number of personnel. It draws its personnel from a pool of paid volunteers. As of 2016, the United States spends about $580.3 billion annually to fund its military forces, put together, the United States constitutes roughly 40 percent of the worlds military expenditures. For the period 2010–14, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute found that the United States was the worlds largest exporter of major arms, the United States was also the worlds eighth largest importer of major weapons for the same period. The history of the U. S. military dates to 1775 and these forces demobilized in 1784 after the Treaty of Paris ended the War for Independence. All three services trace their origins to the founding of the Continental Army, the Continental Navy, the United States President is the U. S. militarys commander-in-chief. Rising tensions at various times with Britain and France and the ensuing Quasi-War and War of 1812 quickened the development of the U. S. Navy, the reserve branches formed a military strategic reserve during the Cold War, to be called into service in case of war. Time magazines Mark Thompson has suggested that with the War on Terror, Command over the armed forces is established in the United States Constitution. The sole power of command is vested in the President by Article II as Commander-in-Chief, the Constitution also allows for the creation of executive Departments headed principal officers whose opinion the President can require. This allowance in the Constitution formed the basis for creation of the Department of Defense in 1947 by the National Security Act, the Defense Department is headed by the Secretary of Defense, who is a civilian and member of the Cabinet. The Defense Secretary is second in the chain of command, just below the President. Together, the President and the Secretary of Defense comprise the National Command Authority, to coordinate military strategy with political affairs, the President has a National Security Council headed by the National Security Advisor. The collective body has only power to the President
4.
Lieutenant general (United States)
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In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and the United States Air Force, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general, Lieutenant general is equivalent to the rank of vice admiral in the other uniformed services. The United States Code explicitly limits the number of generals that may be concurrently active to 230 for the Army,60 for the Marine Corps. For the Army and Air Force, no more than about 25% of the active duty general officers may have more than two stars. Some of these slots can be reserved by statute, officers serving in certain intelligence positions are not counted against either limit, including the Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. The President may also add three-star slots to one if they are offset by removing an equivalent number from other services. Finally, all statutory limits may be waived at the presidents discretion during time of war or national emergency, the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy is almost always a U. S. Army lieutenant general, either upon appointment or shortly thereafter. The three-star grade goes hand-in-hand with the position of office to which it is linked, officers may only achieve three-star grade if they are appointed to positions that require the officer to hold such a rank. Their rank expires with the expiration of their term of office, the nominee must be confirmed via majority vote by the Senate before the appointee can take office and thus assume the rank. The standard tour length for most lieutenant general positions is three years but some are set four or more years by statute, some statutory limits under the U. S. Code can be waived in times of national emergency or war. Three-star ranks may also be given by act of Congress but this is extremely rare, other than voluntary retirement, statute sets a number of mandates for retirement. Lieutenant generals must retire after 38 years of service unless appointed for promotion or reappointed to grade to serve longer, otherwise all general officers must retire the month after their 64th birthday. However, the Secretary of Defense can defer a three-star officers retirement until the officers 66th birthday, General officers typically retire well in advance of the statutory age and service limits, so as not to impede the upward career mobility of their juniors. Since there is a number of three-star slots available to each service. Additionally, lieutenant generals of all services serve as staff officers at various major command headquarters and The Pentagon. Currently, five women serve as lieutenant generals in the US Army, in theory, a general vacates their three or four-star rank at termination of their assignment unless placed in an equal ranking billet. Douglas MacArthur, who served as general and Army Chief of Staff. Even with the status, such officers are also almost always granted permanent retirement in the last grade they held with the satisfactory completion of at least two or three years in grade
5.
Surgeon General of the United States Army
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The Surgeon General of the United States Army is the senior-most officer of the U. S. Army Medical Department. By policy, the Surgeon General serves as Commanding General, U. S. Army Medical Command as well as head of the AMEDD, the surgeon generals office and staff are known as the Office of the Surgeon General and are located in Falls Church, Virginia. Since 1959, TSG has been appointed in the grade of lieutenant general, by law, TSG may be appointed from any of the six officer branches of the AMEDD. However, prior to the 43rd Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, the incumbent Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Nadja West, is a military physician. He or she is responsible for development, policy direction, organization and these duties include formulating policy regulations on health service support, health hazard assessment and the establishment of health standards. TSG is assisted by a Deputy Surgeon General, congress established the Medical Service of the Continental Army on July 27,1775 and placed a Chief physician & director general of the Continental Army as its head at that time. The first five surgeons general of the U. S. Army served under this title, an Act of May 28,1789 established a Physician general of the U. S. Army. An Act of March 13,1813 cited the Physician & surgeon general of the U. S. Army and this nomenclature remained in place until the Medical Department was established by the Reorganization Act of April 14,1818. Note, The AMEDD Museum at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, military Vaccine Agency Borden Institute U. S. Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army, from Its Organization, September 29,1789, to March 2,1903, Washington, DC, OTSG Portal Surgeon General Consultant Program The Surgeons General of the U. S
6.
U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal
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The performance must be such as to merit recognition for service that is clearly exceptional. Exceptional performance of duty will not alone justify an award of this decoration. Separate Distinguished Service Medals exist for the different branches of the military as well as a version of the medal which is a senior award of the United States Department of Defense. The Army version of the Distinguished Service Medal is typically referred to simply as the Distinguished Service Medal while the branches of service use the service name as a prefix. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of positions of great importance. The Coat of Arms of the United States in Gold surrounded by a circle of Dark Blue enamel,1 ½ inches in diameter, on the reverse is a scroll for the name of the recipient upon a trophy of flags and weapons. The medal is suspended by a bar attached to the ribbon, the ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes, 5/16 inch Scarlet 67111, 1/16 inch Ultramarine Blue 67118, 5/8 inch White 67101, 1/16 inch Ultramarine Blue, 5/16 inch Scarlet. Additional awards of the Distinguished Service Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters, the performance must be such as to merit recognition for service which is clearly exceptional. Exceptional performance of duty will not alone justify an award of this decoration. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of positions of great importance. The following are authorized components of the Distinguished Service Medal and applicable specifications, Decoration, NSN for replacement medal is 8455-00-246-3830. The Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by Presidential Order dated 01-02-1918 and it was announced by War Department General Order No. The Act of Congress on 07-09-1918, recognized the need for different types and degrees of heroism and meritorious service, the current statutory authorization for the Distinguished Service Medal is Title 10, United States Code, Section 3743. From July 1,1941 to June 6,1969, when the Army stopped publishing awards of the DSM in Department of the Army General Orders, General Martin Dempsey has the record for the greatest number of awards received of the Army Distinguished Service Medal at six. He also received a Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, generals of the Army Douglas MacArthur and Dwight Eisenhower are tied with five awards received of the Army Distinguished Service Medal. They also each received one award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, davison, who led the Angels of Bataan and Corregidor during their imprisonment by the Japanese, and Colonel William S. Taylor, Program Manager Multiple Launch Rocket System. Among notable civilian recipients are Harry L. Hopkins, Robert S. McNamara, bliss - US Army Chief of Staff General Peyton C. Ridgeway - US Army Chief of Staff General Maxwell D, Colonel Herbert H. Lehman - Governor of New York and United States Senator
7.
Louisiana State University
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Louisiana State University is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The university was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, LSU is the flagship institution of the Louisiana State University System. In 2015, the university enrolled over 26,000 undergraduate and over 5,000 graduate students in 14 schools, several of LSUs graduate schools, such as the E. J. Ourso College of Business and the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, have received recognition in their respective fields of study. LSUs athletics department fields teams in 21 varsity sports, and is a member of the NCAA, the university is represented by its mascot, Mike the Tiger. Louisiana State University Agricultural & Mechanical College had its origin in land grants made by the United States government in 1806,1811. It was founded as an academy and is still today steeped in military tradition. In 1853, the Louisiana General Assembly established the Seminary of Learning of the State of Louisiana near Pineville in Rapides Parish in Central Louisiana. Modeled initially after Virginia Military Institute, the institution opened with five professors and nineteen cadets on January 2,1860, the original location of the Old LSU Site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On January 26,1861, after only a year at the helm, the school closed on June 30,1861, with the start of the American Civil War. During the course of the war, the university reopened briefly in April 1863, the losses sustained by the institution during the Union occupation were heavy, and after 1863 the seminary remained closed for the remainder of the Civil War. Following the surrender of the Confederates at Appomattox Court House on April 9,1865 and these cannons had been captured from Confederate forces after the close of the war and had been used during the initial firing upon Fort Sumter in April 1861. The cannons are still displayed in front of LSUs Military Science/Aerospace Studies Building, the seminary officially reopened its doors on October 2,1865, only to be burned October 15,1869. On November 1,1869, the institution resumed its exercises in Baton Rouge, in 1870, the name of the institution was officially changed to Louisiana State University. It temporarily opened in New Orleans, June 1,1874 and this prompted the final name change for the university to the Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. On June 7,1925, Oscar B, turner, a professor of agronomy, was murdered by an axe-wielding assailant on campus. On April 30,1926, the present LSU campus was formally dedicated, prior to this, LSU utilized the quarters of the Institute for the Deaf, Mute, and Blind. Land for the present campus was purchased in 1918, construction started in 1922, the campus was originally designed for 3000 students, but was cut back due to budget problems
8.
U.S. European Command
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The United States European Command is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers 21,000,000 square miles and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Greenland, the Commander of the United States military EUCOM simultaneously serves as the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe within NATO—an intergovernmental military alliance. During the Gulf War and Operation Northern Watch, EUCOM controlled the forces flying from Incirlik Air Base, prior to 1952, the title European Command referred to a single-service, United States Army command. The first unified command in the European area was established by the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 1 August 1952, European Command, it was established to provide unified command and authority over all U. S. forces in Europe. Prior to 1 August 1952, the U. S. Air Force, U. S. Navy, in line with the creation of the joint-service European Command, the Army command in Europe was redesignated U. S. Army Europe on 1 August 1952. The unified command structure was born of the need to address changes wrought not only by Americas rapid post-war demobilization, questions arose over the U. S. commitment to the defense of Western Europe against the Soviet Union. In 1949 the allies established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in 1952 the area of responsibility included continental Europe, the United Kingdom, North Africa and Turkey. The AOR was subsequently expanded to include Southwest Asia as far east as Iran, in early 1951, NATO established Allied Command Europe and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was called from retirement to become the first Supreme Allied Commander Europe, the United States sent massive reinforcements to Europe designed to deter the Soviet Union. From 1950 to 1953 United States military personnel in Europe grew from 120,000 to over 400,000, United States Air Forces in Europe grew from three groups with 35,000 personnel to eleven wings with 136,000 personnel. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean doubled to more than 40 warships, the Army activated the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg in 1952 and deployed it to Bad Tölz in November 1953 for unconventional warfare missions in the Soviet Bloc countries. To provide for national command within NATO and to control this build-up of forces. Because the senior United States commander would continue as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Eisenhower returned to the United States just as the new command was established. The first United States Commander-in-Chief Europe was General Matthew Ridgway, former commander of Eighth Army and his deputy was General Thomas T. Handy, commander of United States Army, Europe. Headquarters EUCOM initially shared the I. G, farben Building in Frankfurt, Germany, with Headquarters United States Army, Europe. By 1953 over 400,000 U. S. troops were stationed in Europe, in 1954, the headquarters moved to Camp des Loges, a French Army base west of Paris and a short distance from SHAPE. There, EUCOM prepared plans for the defense of Western Europe within the NATO framework against the Soviet Union, EUCOM used the Military Assistance Program to help its NATO partners build their military capabilities, including after 1955 the German Bundeswehr. In 1955, EUCOM established a Support Operations Command Europe, soon renamed Support Operations Task Force Europe for special operations missions, in 1961, EUCOM began operating an airborne command post, Operation Silk Purse
9.
Combat Medical Badge
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The Combat Medical Badge is an award of the United States Army which was first created in January 1945. As of 3 June 2005, Special Forces medics are no longer eligible for award, a revision has allowed aviation medics to be eligible for the CMB. The non-combat proficiency equivalent is the Expert Field Medical Badge, the Combat Medical Badge is one inch tall and one and a half inches wide. The Combat Medical Badge is retroactive to 6 December 1941, according to the US Army Medical Department Regiment, to date there have been only two soldiers that have earned the Combat Medical Badge with two stars, Henry Jenkins and Wayne Slagel. In 1947, a policy was implemented that authorized the award of the Bronze Star to soldiers who had received the Combat Medical badge during the Second World War. The CMB is authorized for award for the qualifying periods. Republic of Vietnam Conflict, combined with qualifying service in Laos and this now includes Soldiers assigned to aviation units. Additionally, in 2008, IED/VBIEDs can now be considered direct contact with the enemy, as of June 2011, the badge and its sew-on equivalent may be worn on the Army Combat Uniform. Military badges of the United States Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia Uniform Poster 578.70 Combat Medical Badge Army Times, New combat badge rules
10.
Flight Surgeon Badge (United States)
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The Flight Surgeon Badge is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces which has existed since the Second World War. The Flight Surgeon Badge is worn by members of the military who are who have completed the individual service requirements for award of the badge. The original Flight Surgeon Badges were awarded by both the Army and Navy during World War II, after WW II, when the USAF became a separate service, they retained the Army Air Force badge, but redesigned it with a smaller caduceus over the central shield. Concurrently, the Army badge was redesigned to the present pattern, the Naval Flight Surgeon insignia has gone through several design iterations from the pre-World War II period, to during World War II, to the postwar period and present day. There is no separate Marine Corps Fight Surgeon insignia, as all personnel assigned to or supporting Marine Corps units are Navy personnel. The Coast Guard Flight Surgeon Badge is the pattern as the USCG Aviator badge. Unlike USN and USN medical support of USMC, USCG Flight Surgeons are commissioned officers of the U. S. The Naval Flight Surgeon is conducted at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute at NAS Pensacola and its curriculum is similar to the Army program, but is 24 weeks in length and includes 10 weeks of flight indoctrination training in the T-6 Texan II, T-45 Goshawk and TH-57 SeaRanger. The Air Force program consists of three phases, Aerospace Medicine Primary 101,201, and 202, the Air Force program, in addition to a core curriculum similar to the Army and Navy, includes such topics as bioenviornmental engineering and occupational health. Coast Guard flight surgeons generally attend the Army course followed by a two-week USCG transition course, the Navy and Air Force also offer residency programs in Aerospace Medicine, however, the Air Force is stand-alone, whereas the Army conducts its program jointly with the Navy. The United States Army and United States Air Force issue the Flight Surgeon Badge in three ratings, Basic, Senior, and Master /Chief. The Senior Flight Surgeon badge is denoted by a star centered above the badge, while the Master and Chief Flight Surgeon badges display a star and wreath or star, USAF requirements for Senior and Chief badges are similar to the Army requirements. The United States Navy and Coast Guard issue Flight Surgeon Badges in a single degree, in addition to the Flight Surgeon Badge, the United States Navy and Air Force award the Flight Nurse Badge for those nurses qualified in aerospace medicine and in-flight operations. A flight medical specialty badge, the Aviation Psychologist Badge, is a decoration awarded by the U. S. Navy. Obsolete badges of the United States military
11.
Parachutist Badge (United States)
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The DoD military services are all awarded the same Basic Parachutist Badge. The Army and Air Force issue the same Senior and Master Parachutist Badges while the Navy and Marine Corps issue the Navy, the majority of the services earn their Basic Parachutist Badge through the U. S. Army Airborne School. The Armys Basic Parachutist Badge is awarded to all personnel of any service who complete the US Army Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning. It signifies that the soldier is a military parachutist, and is qualified to participate in airborne operations. The badge and its equivalent may be worn on the Army Combat Uniform. The original Army Parachutist Badge was designed in 1941 by Captain William P. Yarborough, the Parachutist Badge replaced the Parachutist Patch which had previously been worn as a large patch on the side of a paratroopers garrison cap. LTG Yarborough also designed the Senior and Master Parachutist Badges and the addition of stars to portray the number of combat jumps, the flash that is worn behind the badge is also a contribution of William P. Yarborough. To graduate, a student must complete the three-phase course consisting of a phase, a tower phase. By the end of the course, a student will have completed five jumps in varying jump configurations, in cases of simulated combat the equipment will include water, rations, ammunition, and other essential items necessary to sustain an individual in combat. Two night jumps must also be made during the hours of one of which will be as jumpmaster of a stick. The soldier must fill a position commensurate with his or her rank or grade during the problem, have served on jump status with an airborne unit or other organizations authorized parachutists for a total of at least 24 months. In cases of simulated combat the equipment will include water rations, ammunition, four night jumps must also be made during the hours of darkness, one as jumpmaster of a stick. The individual must fill a position commensurate with their rank or grade during the problem. S, Army Alaska Jumpmaster Course, or served as jumpmaster on one or more combat jumps or as jumpmaster on 33 noncombat jumps. Have served on jump status with a unit or other organization authorized parachutists for a total of 36 months. The 25 combat equipment jumps necessary to qualify for the Master Parachutist Badge must be from a static line. The master parachutist badge is 38mm in width at the widest part of the wings, soldiers assigned to Army units on airborne status wear a cloth oval background trimming underneath their Parachutist Badge, which shares the basic design of the units beret flash. The original background trimming was also a contribution of William P. Yarborough, if a soldier completes an airborne jump into a combat zone, they are authorized to wear a Combat Jump Device on their Parachutist Badge. The device consists of a star or arrangements of stars, indicating the number of combat jumps, the use of stars as Combat Jump Devices did not gain official approval until after the 1983 invasion of Grenada
12.
Legion of Merit
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The Legion of Merit is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the seven uniformed services of the United States as well as to military and political figures of foreign governments. The Legion of Merit is one of only two United States military decorations to be issued as an order and the only United States military decoration which may be issued in award degrees. The Legion of Merit is sixth in the order of precedence of U. S. military awards and is worn after the Defense Superior Service Medal, in contemporary use in the U. S. S. However, this degree was awarded by President Roosevelt to some Allied World War II theater commanders, Commander, Equivalent of a U. S. military chief of staff or higher position, but not to a head of state. Legionnaire, All recipients not included above, when the Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Uniformed Services of the United States, it is awarded without reference to degree. The performance must have such as to merit recognition of key individuals for service rendered in a clearly exceptional manner. Performance of duties normal to the grade, branch, specialty, or assignment, for service not related to actual war, the term key individual applies to a narrower range of positions than in time of war and requires evidence of significant achievement. In peacetime, service should be in the nature of a requirement or of an extremely difficult duty performed in an unprecedented. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of important positions, the degrees and the design of the decoration were influenced by the French Legion of Honour. Although recommendations for creation of a Meritorious Service Medal were initiated as early as September 1937, no formal action was taken toward approval. Proposed designs prepared by Bailey, Banks and Biddle and the Office of the Quartermaster General were provided to Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel Colonel Heard) by the QMG on January 5,1942. The Assistant Chief of Staff, in a response to the QMG on April 3,1942, the design of the Legion of Merit would be ready for issue immediately after legislation authorizing it was enacted into law. The medal was announced in War Department Bulletin No, executive Order 9260, dated October 29,1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, established the rules for the Legion of Merit and required the Presidents approval for the award. The Legion of Merit is similar to the French Legion of Honor in both its design, a five armed cross, and in that it is awarded in multiple degrees, unlike the Legion of Honor, however, the Legion of Merit is only awarded to military personnel. Additionally, it is the award in the world with multiple degrees of which the higher degrees cannot be awarded to citizens of the country of the awards origin. She received the award for her service during the defense of the Philippines, LTJG Bernatitus was also the first recipient of the Legion of Merit authorized to wear a Combat V with the medal. General Eisenhower was presented the Legion of Merit by President Roosevelt, while he was en route to the Tehran Conference, in Cairo, in 1943, at the request of Army Chief of Staff General George C
13.
Bronze Star Medal
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Civilians serving with U. S. military forces in combat are also eligible for the award. For example, UPI reporter Joe Galloway was awarded the Bronze Star with V Device during the Vietnam War for rescuing a wounded soldier under fire in the Battle of la Drang. The Bronze Star Medal was established by Executive Order 9419,4 February 1944, the acts of heroism are of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star. The acts of merit or acts of valor must be less than required for the Legion of Merit but must nevertheless have been meritorious. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded only to members in combat zones who are receiving imminent danger pay. For this purpose, the US Armys Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge award is considered as a citation in orders, effective 11 September 2001, the Meritorious Service Medal may also be bestowed in lieu of the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in a designated combat theater. The Bronze Star Medal was designed by Rudolf Freund of the jewelry firm Bailey, the medal is a bronze star 1 1⁄2 inches in circumscribing diameter. In the center is a 3⁄16 inch diameter superimposed bronze star, the reverse bears the inscription HEROIC OR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT with a space for the name of the recipient to be engraved. The star hangs from its ribbon by a metal loop with rounded corners. The Bronze Star Medal with the V device to denote heroism is the fourth highest military decoration for valor, 5/16 Inch Star – In the Navy and Marine Corps and Coast Guard, the 5/16 inch star is worn to denote additional awards. V Device – In the Army, the V is worn solely to denote participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy, in the Air Force, the V is worn to denote heroism in combat. Red Reeder conceived the idea of the Bronze Star Medal in 1943, Reeder felt another medal was needed as a ground equivalent of the Air Medal, and suggested calling the proposed new award the Ground Medal. The idea eventually rose through the bureaucracy and gained supporters. Marshall, in a memorandum to President Franklin D, the Air Medal had been adopted two years earlier to raise airmens morale. President Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star Medal by Executive Order 9419 dated 4 February 1944 and this authorization was announced in War Department Bulletin No. President John F. Kennedy amended Executive Order 9419 per Executive Order 11046 dated 24 August 1962 to expand the authorization to include serving with friendly forces. This allowed for awards where US service members become involved in a conflict where the United States was not a belligerent. At the time of the Executive Order, for example, the US was not a belligerent in Vietnam, since the award criteria state that the Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to any person
14.
Oak leaf cluster
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The bronze oak leaf cluster represents one additional award, while the silver oak leaf cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze oak leaf clusters. Oak leaf clusters are worn with the stems of the leaves pointing to the wearer’s right, for medals, 13⁄32 inch oak leaf clusters are worn on the medals suspension ribbon. If four oak leaf clusters are worn on the suspension ribbon, for service ribbons, 5⁄16 inch oak leaf clusters are worn, with no more than four oak leaf clusters being worn side by side. If the number of authorized oak leaf clusters exceeds four, a ribbon is authorized for wear and is worn after the first ribbon. The second ribbon counts as one additional award, after which more leaf clusters may be added to the second ribbon, a gold 5/16 inch star is equivalent to a bronze oak leaf cluster, while a silver 5/16 inch star is equivalent to a silver oak leaf cluster. In other nations, oak leaf clusters are used as symbols for various awards. In Germany, the German oak is the tree of Germany. During World War II, the Knights Cross of the German Iron Cross could be awarded with the distinction of oak leaves. Of the 7,313 awards of the Knights Cross, only 882 received oak leaves, after World War II, Iron Crosses awarded previously could be worn by the recipient provided the swastika was replaced by oak leaves. The Bundeswehr awards the Cross of Honour for Bravery for extraordinary bravery, the Cross of Honour for Bravery differs from the Badge of Honour by an adornment in the shape of stylized double oak leaves. Furthermore, it was featured on the Pfennig in Germany and since the introduction of the euro in 2001 it is used on the side of the German euro coinage. In earlier times, the Pour le Mérite, the highest military order in the Kingdom of Prussia, a civil version of the order, for accomplishments in the arts and sciences, still exists in the Federal Republic of Germany. In Commonwealth countries, an oak leaf signifies a Mention in Despatches. The Commonwealth equivalent of a United States oak leaf cluster is a bar worn with a campaign medal. Awards and decorations of the United States military United States military award devices 5/16 inch star Service star Campaign star Battle star
15.
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
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Normally, the acts or services rendered must be comparable to that required for the Legion of Merit but in a duty of lesser, though considerable, responsibility. Within the U. S. Army, according to AR 600-8-22, Paragraph 3-16, in the Army, an MSM recommendation that is downgraded will be approved as an Army Commendation Medal. In the U. S. Army and U. S, the U. S. Navy, U. S. Marine Corps and U. S. In the Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, the authority for the MSM must be either a Flag Officer or General Officer holding the pay grade of O-7 or above. It is most common for Navy and Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officers, to receive this medal the individual must exhibit exceptionally meritorious service at that level of responsibility. The Meritorious Service Medal is a medal,1. The reverse has the encircled inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and MERITORIOUS SERVICE. The suspension ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the stripes, 1/8 inch Crimson 67112, 1/4 inch White 67101, center 5/8 inch Crimson, 1/4 inch White. Additional awards of the Meritorious Service Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters in the U. S. Army and U. S. Air Force. And gold 5/16 inch stars in the U. S. Navy, U. S. Marine Corps and these devices are also authorized for wear on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal. In certain instances, the U. S. Coast Guard also authorizes an Operational Distinguishing Device for the medal, an ad hoc committee was formed by the Secretary of Defense to select a name. On November 8,1968, the unanimously approved the name Meritorious Service Medal. President Lyndon B. Johnson established the Meritorious Service Medal per Executive Order 11448, the Executive Order was amended by President Ronald Reagan per Executive Order 12312, dated July 2,1981, to authorize award to members of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations. The medal was designed by Mr. Jay Morris of the Institute of Heraldry, the ribbon design purposely follows the colors used for the Legion of Merit to reflect the parallel between the two medals. The eagle, symbol of the United States, stands on laurel branches denoting achievement, the star is used to represent the military service and the rays emanating therefrom denote the constant efforts of individuals to achieve through excellent and meritorious service. Meritorious Civilian Service Award – a comparable award given to employees of the United States Departments of Defense. US Army Institute of Heraldry, Meritorious Service Medal
16.
Air Medal
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The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The medal was created in 1942 and is awarded for achievement while participating in aerial flight. The Air Medal was established by Executive Order 9158, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Air Medal was awarded retroactive to 8 September 1939. The original award criteria set by an Army Policy Letter was for one award of the Air Medal. per each naval vessel or three aircraft in flight confirmed destroyed. Per twenty-five operational flights during which exposure to fire is probable. Per one-hundred operational flights during which exposure to fire is not expected. These criteria were altered by the commanding generals of each numbered Air Force to fit the conditions of their theater of operations. The Distinguished Flying Cross would usually be awarded for roughly twice to five times the requirements of the Air Medal, on 5 August 1943 score card awards for completing a set number of operational flights were officially abolished by a Headquarters Army Air Forces Awards Board memorandum. This was due to the embarrassment when airmen who had received the Air Medal for score carding five missions or more being later removed from flying duties for lack of moral fibre. Commanders could still issue the awards on those grounds, but the recipient must perform exceptional or meritorious service as well, during World War II the medals award criteria varied widely depending on the theater of operations, the aircraft flown, and the missions accomplished. In Europe the airspace was considered completely controlled by the enemy, elsewhere in the Pacific and CBI the pilots and crews flew mostly over uncontrolled or contested airspace for long hours and lighter air defenses were encountered, so much higher criteria were used. The Air Medal may be awarded to either single acts of merit or gallantry in combat or for meritorious service in a combat zone. These individuals must make a contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples would be transport performing supporting Dustoff Medevac or resupply operations, Awards will not be made to individuals who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone. The Army may award the Air Medal for peacetime service, the Air Force does not award the Air Medal for peace-time sustained operational activities and flights. Non-combat meritorious service is instead awarded the Aerial Achievement Medal, instituted in 1988, the Air Force uses the aircraft sortie designation as a tool, but uses Oak Leaf Clusters rather than Strike / Flight Numerals to indicate additional awards. A members individual flight management records will list the sorties that are eligible for the award and these sorties are designated Combat, Combat Support, or Operational. Only the first sortie of the day counts, armed aircraft crews require ten sorties for each award, while all others require twenty sorties
17.
Commendation Medal
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The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. The Commendation Medal was originally only a ribbon and was first awarded by the U. S. Navy. An Army Commendation Ribbon followed in 1945, and in 1949, the Navy, Coast Guard, by 1960, the Commendation Ribbons had been authorized as full medals and were subsequently referred to as Commendation Medals. Additional awards of the Army and Air Force Commendation Medals are denoted by bronze, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Coast Guard Commendation Medal are authorized gold and silver 5/16 inch stars to denote additional awards. The Operational Distinguishing Device is authorized for wear on the Coast Guard Commendation Medal upon approval of the awarding authority, order of Precedence is following the Bronze Star Medal but before the Prisoner of War Medal and all campaign medals. Each of the services also awards separate Achievement Medals which are below the Commendation Medals in precedence. This award is intended for service on a joint military staff and is senior in precedence to service-specific Commendation Medals. As such, it is worn above the service Commendation Medals on a military uniform. S, Army after December 6,1941, distinguished themselves by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. Approval of the award must be made by an officer in the grade of Colonel or higher, the medallion of the Army Commendation Medal is a bronze hexagon, 1 3⁄8 inches wide. On the medallion is an American bald eagle with wings spread horizontally, on its breast is a shield paly of thirteen pieces and a chief. The reverse bears a panel for naming between the words FOR MILITARY above and MERIT below, all placed above a laurel sprig, the ribbon is 1 3⁄8 inches wide primarily of myrtle green. It is edged in white and in the center are five thin white stripes spaced equally apart, devices Oak leaf cluster and V Device The U. S. Air Force began issuing its own Air Force Commendation Medal in 1958 with additional awards denoted by oak leaf clusters. Prior to this time, USAF recipients received the Army Commendation Medal and it was not until 1996 that the V device was authorized on the Air Force Commendation Medal, prior to 1996, there was not a valor distinction in effect for the Air Force Commendation Medal. For USAF enlisted personnel, the Air Force Commendation Medal is worth three points under the Air Force enlisted promotion system, approval of the award must be made by an officer in the grade of Colonel or higher. The Air Force Commendation Medal is a bronze hexagonal medallion, on the medallion is a shield surmounted by an eagle superimposed over clouds. On the shield bears a pair of wings and a vertical baton with an eagles claw at either end, behind the shield are eight lightning bolts. The design on the shield is derived from the Seal of the Department of the Air Force, the ribbon of the Air Force Commendation Medal is golden yellow with blue edges. In the center are three bands of blue, the stripes are thin with the center stripe being wider
18.
Meritorious Unit Commendation
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The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States Armed Forces. Army Meritorious Unit Commendation The Army MUC emblem worn to represent award of the MUC is 1 7⁄16 inches wide, the emblem consists of a 1⁄16 inch wide gold frame with laurel leaves which encloses a scarlet 67111 ribbon. The previously authorized emblem was a gold color embroidered laurel wreath,1 5⁄8 inches in diameter on a 2 inches square of olive drab cloth, Service in a combat zone is not required, but must be directly related to the combat effort. Units based in CONUS are excluded from this award, as are other units outside the area of operation, the unit must display such outstanding devotion and superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks as to set it apart and above other units with similar missions. The degree of achievement required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Legion of Merit to an individual, recommendations for units larger than a brigade will not be submitted. For services performed during World War II, awards will be only to service units. Such service is interpreted to relate to combat service support type activities and not to the type of activities performed by senior headquarters, combat, all members of the unit cited for the award are approved to wear the emblem of the MUC. The emblem is thought of as a decoration for those in connection with the cited acts and is approved to be worn if they continue as members with the unit or not. Other personnel serving with the unit are approved to wear the emblem to show that the unit is a recipient of the MUC, the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation is worn after the Valorous Unit Award and before the Superior Unit Award. Additional awards of the Army MUC are denoted by oak leaf clusters. The Meritorious Service Unit Plaque was originally established by War Department Circular 345 on 23 August 1944, the circular provided units which received the Plaque were entitled to wear on their right sleeves of their service coat and shirt the Meritorious Service Unit Insignia. A gold star placed on the plaque represented additional awards until War Department Circular No,54,1946, provided that additional awards would be shown by placing a gold numeral on the inside of the wreath. In December 1946, the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque was eliminated, replaced with the issue of the Meritorious Unit Commendation, a new design of the Meritorious Service Unit Emblem was approved in April 1947. This replaced the sleeve insignia and was to be effective 1 January 1949, on 11 April 1949, TAG advised D/PA that the stock position was such that it would not be exhausted prior to 1959. However, the level was still so high that it was not introduced into the supply system until 14 July 1966. This award may also be conferred upon units of the branches of the U. S. Armed Forces, and the forces of friendly foreign nations serving with U. S. Armed Forces, provided such units meet the established for Navy
19.
National Defense Service Medal
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The National Defense Service Medal is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. It may also be issued to military members for any other period that the Secretary of Defense designates. Currently, the National Defense Service Medal is the oldest service medal in use by the United States Armed Forces, the oldest continuously issued combat medal is the Medal of Honor. For service in the Global War on Terrorism, Selected Reserve and National Guard members need only to have been in good standing to receive the NDSM, inactive Ready Reserve and Retired Reserve are not eligible to be awarded the NDSM unless called to active duty. S. The NDSM ranks eleventh out of twenty-nine in the order of precedence of service medals and this accounts for the medals omission from a large number of uncharacterized and entry level separation documents. Veterans who have this medal so omitted may apply to the service departments to have the NDSM added to records via a DD Form 215. A second award of the medal is not granted for reenlisting during the time period or transferring between branches of service. Korean Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Media related to National Defense Service Medal at Wikimedia Commons
20.
Vietnam Service Medal
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The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces established on 8 July 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The medal is awarded to service during the Vietnam War by all members of the United States Armed Forces provided they meet the award requirements. The distinctive design has been attributed to both sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, an employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry and Mercedes Lee who created the design. The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces serving in Vietnam, be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days aboard a U. S. naval vessel directly supporting military operations. Actually participating as a crewmember in one or more flights into airspace above Vietnam. No person will be entitled to more than one award of the VSM, individuals qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for reason of service in Vietnam between 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965 will remain qualified for that medal. Upon request any such individual may be awarded the VSM instead of the AFEM, in such instances, the AFEM will be deleted from the list of authorized medals in personnel records. No person will be entitled to awards for Vietnam service. Service members who earned the AFEM for Operation Frequent Wind between 29 and 30 April 1975, may elect to receive the VSM instead of the AFEM, no service member may be issued both medals for service in Vietnam. The VSM may be awarded posthumously, one 3⁄16 inch bronze service star is authorized for each campaign under the following conditions,1. Assigned or attached to and present for duty with a unit during the period in which it participated in combat, under orders in a combat zone and in addition meets any of the following requirements, a. Furnished a certificate by a Commanding General of a corps, higher unit, served at a normal post of duty. Aboard a vessel other than in a status and furnished a certificate by the home port commander of the vessel that he or she served in the combat zone. Was an evadee or escapee in the zone or recovered from a POW status in the combat zone during the time limitations of the campaign. POWs will not be accorded credit for the spent in confinement or while otherwise in restraint under enemy control. Though the Mayaguez incident is referred to as the last battle of the Vietnam War. Instead of the VSM, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is authorized for members who participated in that battle. A congressional bill was introduced in 2016 to award veterans of the Mayaguez battle the VSM, South Vietnam also issued its own service medal for the Vietnam War, known as the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
21.
Army Service Ribbon
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Effective 1 August 1981, all members of the Army, Army National Guard, and United States Army Reserve in an active reserve status were eligible for the award. The ribbon may be awarded retroactively to those personnel who completed the training before 1 August 1981 provided they had an Active Army status as defined above on or after 1 August 1981. Enlisted soldiers will be awarded the ribbon upon successful completion of their initial MOS producing course, for those service members who completed initial entry training prior to 1981, the Army Service Ribbon is retroactively awarded, provided the service member was still on active duty after 1981. For those service members who enlist in the Army after serving with another service the Army Service Ribbon is awarded after four months of active service, the Army Service Ribbon is presented as a one-time award only since it is not possible to earn it more than once. The United States Air Force equivalent of the Army Service Ribbon is the Air Force Training Ribbon, instead of a ribbon, the U. S. Marine Corps awards the trademark Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem upon completion of recruit training or OCS. The U. S. Navy does not have a direct equivalent, the Army Service ribbon is a multi-colored ribbon to represent the entire spectrum of military specialties in which officers and enlisted soldiers may enter upon completion of their initial training. Awards and decorations of the United States Army Basic Training Honor Graduate Ribbon
22.
Overseas Service Ribbon
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There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U. S. Army, U. S. Navy, U. S. Air Force, and the U. S. Coast Guard. Marines receive the Navy version of the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon was first issued in August 1981. It is presented to any member of the United States Army who completes a standard tour of duty. In the 11 December 2006 revision of AR 600-8-22, the Army eliminated the policy which had restricted the awarding of the Overseas Service Ribbon when another campaign or service medal is awarded, additional awards of the Army Overseas Service Ribbon are denoted by award numerals. For time served in designated zones, the Army also issues an Overseas Service Bar. The Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon was first proposed in 1968, the ribbon is awarded to any member of the Navy or Marine Corps who completes one year of consecutive or cumulative duty at a permanent overseas duty station. For inactive members of the components, the first award is authorized upon completion of either 30 consecutive or 45 cumulative days of overseas duty. For subsequent awards, the criteria of award for reservists are the same as the active duty members criteria, in 1999, a directive of the Chief of Naval Operations permitted those personnel stationed on overseas homeported naval vessels to receive the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon. Prior to this time, such personnel were eligible to receive the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Current regulations now permit the receipt of both ribbons for the tour of duty. Additional awards of the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon are denoted by service stars, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon will be awarded to IAs deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq in accordance with SECNAVINST1650. 1H. However, the OEF and OIF AOEs may be qualifying areas for either ribbon, the following amplifying guidance is provided. The 12-month accumulated sea duty requirement for the SSDR is waived for OEF, the 12-month requirement still applies for second and subsequent awards. Individuals with subsequent deployments to the OEF or OIF AOEs may elect to use that deployment time towards qualifying for EITHER a subsequent SSDR or the OSR. The member must elect in writing which ribbon the subsequent deployment time will be credited towards, the entire deployment time will be credited towards ONE of the ribbons. The Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon was approved in 1980 by order of General Lew Allen, the award is issued in two grades, being that of short tour and long tour. The Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon is awarded for less than two years of duty or as directed by Air Force policies, historically, most Short Tour Service Ribbons were awarded for service in South Korea, by far the most common short tour assignment in the USAF. Since June 2003, Airmen serving in hostile environments for 181 days or more qualified for the Short Tour Service Ribbon under an exception to rules outlined in AFI 36-2110
23.
Award numeral
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Arabic numeral devices are bronze or gold in color and are 3⁄16 inch in height. Arabic numerals are worn to denote award of a second or subsequent award for which a member has received the initial decoration or award. The ribbon denotes the first award and numerals starting with the numeral 2 denote the number of additional awards, the 3⁄16 inch numerals are similar to the 5⁄16 inch Strike/Flight numerals worn by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. During World War II, some Navy construction battalions were issued the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with numerals instead of service stars, United States military award devices Awards and decorations of the United States military Medal bar Media related to Award numerals at Wikimedia Commons
24.
Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)
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The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross also known as the Vietnam Gallantry Cross or Vietnam Cross of Gallantry is a military decoration of the former Government of South Vietnam. Individuals who received the medal, ribbon, and a citation were personally cited at the Armed Forces, Corps, Division, the Republic of Vietnam authorized members of units and organizations that were cited, to wear the Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Emblem with Palm and Frame. The medal is gold in color,35 mm wide and it consists of a Celtic cross with two crossed swords between the arms. The cross is superimposed over a wreath, the center of the cross contains a disc with the outline of the country of Vietnam between two palm branches joined at the bottom. A scroll is on top of the map and is inscribed QUOC-GIA LAO-TUONG, the suspension ribbon of the medal is 35 mm wide and is made up of the following stripes,9 mm of Old Glory Red,17 mm center stripe in Golden Yellow. The center stripe has sixteen strands of Old Glory Red, and 9 mm of Old Glory Red, degrees The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross was awarded in four degrees, with a basic medal followed by higher degrees which were the equivalent of personal citations on an organizational level. U. S. Marine Corps uniform regulations in 2003, state the recipient should wear only one Gallantry Cross award regardless of the number received, for multiple awards, wear as many authorized devices as will fit on one medal suspension ribbon or ribbon bar. Wear the devices for subsequent awards in order of seniority from the wearers right, the first palm is 1 7⁄16 inches on the suspension ribbon or 6⁄8 inch on the service ribbon. Subsequent palms are 6⁄8 inch on the ribbon or 3⁄8 inch on the service ribbon. Service versions The Gallantry Cross was awarded to members of all branches, as well as service members of foreign. The similarly named decorations were the Air Gallantry Cross and Navy Gallantry Cross and these decorations were awarded under a different authority, with different criteria, and were considered separate decorations. The former Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces awarded the Gallantry Cross to specific units that distinguished themselves to the same level as would be required for the individual award. Regulations for the issuance of the Vietnam Gallantry Cross permit the wearing of both the individual and unit award simultaneously since both are considered separate awards, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to every Allied nation which provided support to South Vietnam. The Gallantry Cross became the most commonly awarded Vietnamese decoration to foreigners, Fourragere The South Vietnamese military Fourragere in the colors of the Gallantry Cross represented a military unit cited two times. It was a brilliant golden-yellow, with red intermixed, Department of the Army message 111030Z from April 1974, established the policy that only one emblem for a unit award was authorized to be worn at a time. This change resulted in the fourragere being no longer authorized for wear, U. S. authorization Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, U. S. Department of Defense, U. S. The United States military began authorizing the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross in March 1968 with retroactive presentation of the decoration to 1961, the full medal and or unit citation award are both considered foreign military awards and are not issued to Vietnam veterans by the NPRC. John Beal, film and television composer, was awarded the RVN Gallantry Cross with palm, george R. Christmas, USMC Lieutenant General who was awarded the RVN Gallantry Cross with palm
25.
Civil Actions Medal
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The Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal also known as the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal or Civil Actions Medal, is a military decoration of the former South Vietnamese government. The medal was created on May 12,1964 during the Vietnam War, the Civil Actions Medal was awarded to the South Vietnamese military and its allies military personnel or units that performed outstanding achievements in the field of civil affairs. The medal was awarded in two classes, with the first class intended for commissioned officers and the class for enlisted personnel. Individuals who were cited received the medal, ribbon, and a citation, the South Vietnamese government authorized members of a unit awarded the Civil Action medal to wear the Civil Actions Unit Citation Emblem with Palm and Frame. Only one unit citation emblem with palm and frame could be worn on the service uniform, the ribbon with palm and frame is authorized for the unit award of the medal. The Republic of Vietnam made some revisions pertaining to the Civil Actions Medal in 1965 and 1967, the Civil Action Medal, First and Second Class, has a suspension ribbon and service ribbon that is Bottle Green and Scarlet. The first class color is distinguished from the class color by the first class medal having two narrow red stripes in the center of the medals ribbon. The Civil Actions Unit Citation Emblem is in the first class color only, the first Civil Action Medal was awarded without a ribbon device. Each additional award of the medal had one of four devices representing four levels an individual was cited from, subsequent award devices were attached on service and suspension ribbons of the medal. The unit citation emblem has a palm and thin gold frame for the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps. Navy, U. S. Marine Corps, and U. S. Coast Guard, the unit citation was awarded to US Army units during the Vietnam War as the Civil Actions Honor Medal, FC. The award does not have a medal, it is a ribbon award, the Civil Actions Medal and the Civil Actions Unit Citation with Palm and Frame ribbon were awards bestowed by the Republic of Vietnam to foreign military personnel. Other Republic of Vietnam awards include the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal and the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation Emblem are available only through private dealers of military insignia. Department of Defense Manual Enclosure 311, foreign Decorations and Service Awards The following non-U. S. Ribbons have been authorized for wear b, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Palm and Frame Unit Citation. Awarded by the Republic of Vietnam to units for valorous combat achievements, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions With Palm and Frame Unit Citation. Awarded by the Republic of Vietnam in recognition of civil action service. U. S. Army Awards Manual Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation, the award of the Civil Actions Unit Citation, First Class, is accompanied with Oak Leaf Clusters
26.
Vietnam Campaign Medal
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In May 1966, other allied foreign military personnel became eligible for the award. The medal was awarded for two different periods of service in Vietnam, the first period for the award was from 8 March 1949 to 20 July 1954. The second period was from 1 January 1960 to the end of the Vietnam War, on 30 April 1975, Saigon was captured by the North Vietnamese army and South Vietnam surrendered. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal was created in 1949 and manufactured in France, the medal was awarded to French military personnel. During the Vietnam War, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device was manufactured in the United States, 149/SL/CT of 12 May 1964 and No 205/CT/LDQG/SL of 2 December 1965. The medal was established by the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Order No, awarded in a single class, the medal was awarded under the authority of the Chief of the Joint General Staff, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. Public Law 88-257 permits U. S. military personnel to accept the medal for service performed in Vietnam from 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1973 and this stipulation most often applies to members who performed Vietnam War support from the 7th Fleet, Thailand and Guam, and Japan. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal was awarded to Australian military personnel for service in South Vietnam during the period 31 July 1962 to 28 March 1973, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal was referred to as the New Zealand Vietnamese Campaign Medal. The medal was awarded to New Zealand Forces for service in Vietnam for six months between 1964 and 1973, the medal was approved for wear in 1966. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is made of a gold colored metal in the shape of a 32 mm wide six-pointed white enameled star with six pointed gold rays between the arms of the star. On the reverse of the medal is a circle bearing the inscription Chiến Dịch above, the suspension ribbon and service ribbon of the medal is green with three vertical white stripes. Both sets of the devices if authorized, could be worn on the ribbons and these devices are not authorized for wear by American military personnel. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is considered an award by the U. S. South Korea, Australian, and New Zealand governments, the equivalent award from the U. S. Armed Forces is known as the Vietnam Service Medal, orders, decorations, and medals of South Vietnam Service Medals and campaign credits of the United States Navy Vietnam Campaign Medal
United States
