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What Specific Military Medals Represent
If you aren’t particularly familiar with many aspects of the military, you may not know much about specific medals and honors that come with serving in the military. Some medals are awarded to specific branches of the military, and some, like the Medal of Honor, span multiple branches with multiple people awarded. Medals can signify many different things, but all of them are awarded to those who go above and beyond the call of duty.
If you’d like to know a bit more about what some of these military medals mean, and what the qualifications are to be awarded them.
Medals of Honor
This is probably one of the most well-known medals, so many of us have heard of this one. But we may not necessarily know what it means. Being awarded a Medal of Honor by the US Government is the highest honor that one can achieve in the Armed Forces.
These medals have three variations: one for the Army, one for the Air Force, and one for the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Navy.
They are only awarded to those in the Armed Forces that show consistently that they are willing to go above and beyond what is required, even at the cost of risking their own lives.
The medal itself features a gold star that has different versions for each branch that it is awarded to, and it is attached to a blue ribbon that is embellished with stars as well.
Distinguished Service Cross
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest medal awarded to service members enlisted in the Army. This medal is awarded only to members of the Army who have shown outstanding valor, as it is second only to the Medal of Honor.
This particular medal is a gold cross with an eagle on it, attached to a dark blue ribbon with red trim.
Aside from the army, there are also Distinguished Service Crosses for all other branches of the military.
Navy Cross
The second-highest honor in the Navy, this cross is given to marines and sailors who show exceptional heroism in the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard when it is operating under the Navy.
When the Coast Guard is not operating under Navy Command, its members can receive a Coast Guard Cross, which is the equivalent of both the Navy and Distinguished Service Cross.
Air Force Cross
Much like both the Distinguished Service Cross for the Army and the Navy and COast Guard Crosses, the Air Force Cross is awarded to those serving in the Air Force for exceptional valor.
Distinguished Service Medal
As the fourth-highest honor for those in the Army, this medal is awarded to members who serve in both combat and non-combat positions. This medal denotes commendable performance in a significant position in the army.
Much like the Crosses awarded, there are equivalent Distinguished Service Medals also awarded to each other branch of the military, with medals for those serving in the Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.
Soldier’s Medal
Unlike the previously-mentioned medals, the Soldier’s Medal is reserved solely for non-combat service members who have risked their lives on behalf of citizens or fellow military members.
Purple Heart
One of the more well-known medals, a Purple Heart comes with significant weight. It is only awarded to those who have been injured in the line of duty, or posthumously to the brave men and women who have given their lives in battle, either on a peacekeeping force or in the instance of a terrorist attack.
This medal is the oldest medal, created first in 1782 by George Washington.
Though there are many other medals not mentioned, these are some of the most prestigious medals awarded in the military to those who have exemplified extraordinary courage and bravery while serving.
Umar Nisar was born and raised in the busy city of Abbottabad. As a journalist, Umar Nisar has contributed to many online publications including PAK Today and the Huffing Post. In regards to academics, Umar Nisar earned a degree in business from the Abbottabad UST, Havelian. Umar Nisar follows the money and covers all aspects of emerging tech here at The Hear Up.
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