Established in 1918, the Army Distinguished Service Medal is the Army’s version of the Distinguished Service Medal, which was created to recognize United States Armed Forces personnel who perform service of an exceptional nature on behalf of the government in the execution of a significant operation beyond normal duties. It is typically reserved for senior Army officers. read more »
Created on January 2, 1918, the Army Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest award granted to United States Army personnel. It is awarded in instances of acts of heroism in combat with enemy forces, often involving risk of life. Operations supporting friendly forces of foreign nations are also eligible. The Army Distinguished Service Cross was first awarded in World War I. read more »
Established on December 29, 1945, the Army Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service recognizes sustained conduct or service of unusual merit. read more »
Established in June 1998, the Army Exceptional Public Service Award honors civilians who provide outstanding service or contributions to advance objectives of the Department of the Army. Civilian employees and contractors for the United States Armed Forces are not eligible. read more »
Created on June 28, 1941, the Army Good Conduct Medal may be presented to any active member of the United States military who demonstrates three uninterrupted years of honorable behavior in service. Infractions or any disciplinary action cause the three-year clock to start over. In wartime, one year of such behavior may be sufficient for the award. There is a Good Conduct Medal for the Navy (established in 1869), the Marine Corps (1896), the Coast Guard (1923), the Army (1941), and the Air Force (1963). read more »
The second-highest award granted to civilians, the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award is approved at the MAJCOM level. It is presented to civilian employees of the Army who demonstrate excellence in carrying out their duties for a minimum period of one year, to those who demonstrate notable initiative in improving procedures or protocols, or to those who otherwise contribute to general morale and performance. read more »
Established on August 23, 1944, the Army Meritorious Unit Citation honors United States Army Units that carry out extraordinary service over a period of no fewer than six months in a combat zone or in direct support of combat efforts. read more »
Established on April 1, 1981, the Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon is granted to United States Army members who successfully complete qualifying NCO professional development courses. The initial award is typically made upon completion of the Basic Leader Course. read more »
Established on June 28, 1915, the Army of Cuban Occupation Medal honors United States military members who carried out qualifying service in Cuba between the dates of July 18, 1898 and May 20, 1902 in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War. read more »
Established on May 11, 1909, the Army of Cuban Pacification Medal honors United States military members who carried out service onshore in Cuba between September 12, 1906 and April 1, 1909. read more »
Established on February 4, 1919, the Army of Puerto Rican Occupation Medal honors United States military members who carried out occupying service in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War. read more »
Established in 1959, the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Award Medal Ribbon is issued to civilian individuals who provide outstanding service or make major contributions to the United States Army. read more »
Established on April 10, 1981, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon is awarded to members of the United States Army or Army Reserve who carry out a qualifying tour overseas. It may be granted retroactively to individuals who served in a standard overseas tour prior to August 1, 1981 as long as those they maintained active status on or after that date. read more »
Established on February 6, 1942, the Army Presidential Unit Citation recognizes acts of heroism or unusually excellent conduct by operating units of the United States Army of a nature that would warrant the Distinguished Service Cross if performed individually and that sets them apart from other units. It may also be awarded to friendly foreign units. read more »
Established on March 3, 1971, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal recognizes sustained honorable conduct in reservists and is the reserve equivalent of the Good Conduct Medal. read more »
Established in 1984, the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon honors Army Reserve and National Guard drilling personnel who complete a term of at least 10 active training days outside of the continental United States. read more »
Established on April 17, 2006, the Army Sea Duty Ribbon is a joint award of the United States Armed Forces and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. It honors personnel who have carried out duty on designated vessels. read more »
Established on April 10, 1981, the Army Service Ribbon honors Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve personnel who finish initial training successfully. The Army Service Ribbon may be granted retroactively to personnel who completed training before the establishment of the award. read more »
Established on July 2, 1926, the Army Soldier’s Medal honors members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through heroic acts. Eligible acts do not entail confrontation with hostile forces but typically involve the risking of life or limb on behalf of others. The Soldier’s Medal is the greatest distinction a soldier can earn for exhibiting bravery in circumstances other than combat. read more »