U.S.Military Decorations Awarded in World War II
The following list contains some of the medals that could
have been awarded to the servicemen and women of the US Army, Navy and
Air Force during World War II and the type of service or action that
warranted such an award.
Medal
of Honor
The Medal of Honor is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of one’s life, above and beyond the call of duty and be
performed either while engaged in action against an enemy of the United
States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an
opposing foreign force, or, while serving with friendly foreign forces
engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which
the United States is not a belligerent party.
Distinguished Service Cross – For valor
Awarded for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy but of a level
not justifying the award of the Medal of Honor and can be awarded to
both military and civilian personnel serving in any capacity with the
army, who distinguish themselves by heroic actions in combat. The act or
acts of heroism must be so notable and have involved risk of life so
extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his comrades. Silver
and/or a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster signify multiple awards.
Army Distinguished Service Medal – For distinguished service
Awarded for exceptional meritorious service to the United States while
serving in a duty of great responsibility within the US Army. It was
originally intended for award for qualifying actions during wartime but
has been authorised for actions during wartime and peacetime. As the
Army’s highest award for meritorious service or achievement, it has been
awarded to both military and civilian personnel foreign and domestic.
Silver and/or a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster signify multiple awards.
Silver Star – For gallantry in action
Awarded for gallantry in action against the enemy of the United States
or while engaged in military operations involving conflict against an
opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent
party and where the level of gallantry required, while of a high degree,
is less than that required for a Medal of Honor or Distinguished Service
Cross. Silver and/or a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster signify multiple awards.
Legion of Merit – God has favored our undertaking
Awarded for exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of
outstanding service to members of the armed forces of the United States.
Superior performance of normal duties will not alone justify this
decoration and it is awarded not for heroism, but rather service and
achievement while performing key duties in a position of responsibility.
Silver and/or a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster signify multiple awards.
Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded to Unites States military personnel for heroism or extraordinary
achievement that is clearly distinctive involving operations during
aerial flight that is not routine. Silver and/or a Bronze Oak Leaf
Cluster signify multiple awards.
Soldiers Medal
Awarded to any member of the Army, National Guard or Reserves for
heroism not involving actual armed conflict with an armed enemy. Silver
and/or a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster signify multiple awards.
Bronze Star – Heroic or meritorious achievement
Awarded to individuals who, while serving in the United States armed
forces in a combat theatre, distinguish themselves by heroism,
outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not involving aerial
flight. Has additional Bronze “V” device to indicate aware was for valor
and a Silver and/or a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to signify multiple
awards.
Purple Heart – For military merit
Awarded to any member of the armed forces of the United States or to any
civilian national of the United States who, while serving under
competent authority in any capacity with the armed forces of the United
States armed forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may
die from wounds received from an opposing enemy force while in armed
combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism or being a
prisoner of war. Silver and/or a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster signify
multiple awards.
Awarded for single acts of achievement to individuals who distinguish
themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious
service while participating in aerial flight. Has additional device of a
Bronze “V” for valor, Silver and/or a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to signify
multiple awards. The Silver Oak Leaf Cluster has been replaced by a
Bronze numeral to denote multiple awards.
Prisoner of War Medal – For honorable service while a prisoner of war
Awarded to any person who was taken prisoner of war and held captive
while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States, while
engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed
force, or while serving with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict
in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The recipient’s
conduct while a prisoner must have been honorable.
Silver and/or a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster signify multiple awards
Army Good Conduct Medal – For good conduct
Awarded to Army personnel who have displayed exemplary conduct,
efficiency and fidelity and have honorably completed three years of
active Federal military service.
American Defense Medal
Awarded for military service of twelve months or longer during a limited
“emergency period” from 8 September 1939 until 27 May 1941, or during
the unlimited emergency period from 27 May until 07 December 1941. A
Bronze Star and “Foreign Service” bar denote that the award was issued
for service outside of the continental USA.
Women’s Army Corps Service Medal
Awarded for service in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and the Women’s
Army Corps during the period from 10 July 1943 to 2 September 1945.
American Campaign Medal
Awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who served in the American
Theater of Operations during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946,
or was awarded a combat decoration while in combat against the enemy. A
Bronze Star indicates participation in specialized antisubmarine, escort
or special operation.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for at least 30
days consecutive (60 days non-consecutive) service within the region
defined as Asiatic-Pacific between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946. Has
an additional device of a Silver and/or a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to
signify multiple awards and a Bronze Arrowhead to signify participation
in a combat parachute jump, combat glider landing or amphibious landing.
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal
Awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for at least 30
days consecutive (60 days non-consecutive) service within the region
defined as Europe- Africa-Middle East between 7 December 1941 and 8
November 1945. Has an additional device of a Silver and/or a Bronze Oak
Leaf Cluster to signify multiple awards and a Bronze Arrowhead to
signify participation in a combat parachute jump, combat glider landing
or amphibious landing.
World War II Victory Medal – Freedom from fear and want, freedom of
speech and religion
Awarded to all members of the United States Armed Forces who served at
least one day of honorable, active Federal service between 7 December
1941 and 31 December 1946 inclusive.
Army of Occupation Medal
Awarded to Army and Air Force personnel who have made at least 30 days
of service in formerly held enemy territories, including Germany
(1945-1955), Berlin (1945-1990), Austria (1945-1955), Italy (1945-1947),
Japan (1945-1952) and Korea (1945-1949).
Croix de Guerre
Issued by the Governments of France and Belgium to members of the United
States Armed Forces for individual feats of arms as recognized in
dispatches. Bronze Palm or Gold, Silver or Bronze Star denote the level
of or additional awards.
Presidential Unit Citations
Awarded in the name of the President of the United States to units of
the Armed Forces of the United States and to cobelligerent nations for
extraordinary heroism in action against and armed enemy occurring on or
after 7th December 1941. The unit must have displayed such gallantry,
determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission, under
extremely difficult and hazardous circumstances, to have set it apart
and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of
heroism required is similar to that which would be required of a
Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.
During World War II many acts of heroism were recorded by airborne units
and have resulted in that unit receiving an Army Presidential Citation
