Military Awards Glossary: Terms Every Veteran Should Know

Understanding military awards can be challenging because of the specialized terms used throughout the U.S. Armed Forces. From medals and ribbons to devices and citations, each term has a specific meaning that helps explain how military honors are earned, displayed, and recorded.

This Military Awards Glossary provides easy-to-understand definitions of the most common terms you’ll encounter when researching U.S. military decorations. Whether you’re a veteran, family member, collector, historian, or simply interested in military history, this guide serves as a helpful reference.

Achievement Medal

A personal military decoration awarded for outstanding achievement or meritorious service that does not meet the criteria for a higher commendation or meritorious service medal.

Award Citation

The official written statement describing the actions or service for which a military award is presented.

Award Device

A small metal attachment placed on a military ribbon or medal to indicate additional awards, valor, campaign participation, or other qualifying service.

Examples include Oak Leaf Clusters, Award Stars, the V Device, Arrowhead Device, and numerals.

Campaign Medal

A medal awarded for participation in a designated military campaign or conflict during an approved period.

Certificate

An official document that accompanies many military awards and verifies the recipient’s recognition.

Citation

A formal written explanation describing why a military decoration was awarded.

Combat Award

A military decoration recognizing heroism, valor, or service performed while engaged with hostile forces.

Commendation Medal

A personal decoration awarded for meritorious achievement, leadership, or service that exceeds the standards required for an achievement medal.

Decoration

A military honor awarded for heroism, meritorious service, outstanding achievement, or exceptional leadership.

Device

A small attachment worn on a medal or ribbon to provide additional information about the award.

Distinguished Service Medal

A high-level military decoration recognizing exceptionally meritorious service in positions of great responsibility.

Expeditionary Medal

A medal recognizing participation in designated military operations outside the United States.

Good Conduct Medal

A service medal recognizing honorable and faithful military service over a specified period.

Medal

A military decoration presented to recognize heroism, achievement, service, or participation in military operations.

Medal Set

A complete presentation consisting of the medal, suspension ribbon, service ribbon, and accompanying certificate or presentation case.

Meritorious Service

Service that significantly exceeds normal duty requirements through exceptional performance, leadership, or accomplishments.

Military Decoration

An official military award recognizing heroism, achievement, or distinguished service.

Military Ribbon

A colored ribbon representing a military medal or decoration, worn on uniforms instead of the full-sized medal during routine duties.

Oak Leaf Cluster

A bronze or silver device used primarily by the Army, Air Force, and Space Force to indicate additional awards of the same decoration.

Order of Precedence

The official sequence in which military medals and ribbons are worn on the uniform.

Higher-ranking decorations are worn before lower-ranking awards.

Personal Decoration

A military award presented to an individual for heroism, achievement, leadership, or meritorious service.

Posthumous Award

A military decoration awarded after the recipient’s death in recognition of qualifying service or heroism.

Purple Heart

A military decoration awarded to service members wounded or killed as a direct result of enemy action.

Recommendation

The official nomination submitted through the chain of command requesting approval of a military award.

Ribbon Bar

A small bar containing one or more military ribbons worn on service uniforms.

Service Medal

A medal recognizing honorable military service during a designated period or operation.

Service Ribbon

A ribbon representing a military award without the accompanying full-sized medal.

Silver Star

The nation’s third-highest military decoration for valor in combat.

It should not be confused with a silver award star worn as a ribbon device.

Valor

Acts of extraordinary courage or heroism performed while facing hostile forces or under combat conditions.

Valor Award

A military decoration recognizing heroism during combat or direct engagement with hostile forces.

V Device

A bronze letter “V” attached to certain medals and ribbons to indicate the award was earned for valor or heroism during combat.

Unit Award

A military decoration presented to an entire military unit for exceptional performance, heroism, or distinguished service.

Eligible members of the unit may wear the award.

Unit Citation

An official recognition awarded collectively to a military organization rather than to an individual service member.

Award Stars

Bronze or silver star devices used primarily by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard to indicate additional awards or campaign participation.

Arrowhead Device

A bronze arrowhead worn on certain campaign medals to recognize participation in a qualifying combat assault landing.

Numerals

Metal numbers attached to certain military ribbons indicating repeated awards or qualifying periods of service.

Lapel Button

A small insignia authorized for wear on civilian clothing that represents certain military awards or veteran status.

Next of Kin

The closest surviving family member who may receive a military award presented posthumously.

Official Military Personnel File (OMPF)

The permanent military record containing a service member’s awards, assignments, evaluations, and service history.

Department of Defense (DoD)

The federal department responsible for establishing many military awards policies affecting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Branch-Specific Awards

Military decorations that are awarded only by a particular branch of the Armed Forces, such as the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a military awards glossary useful?

It helps veterans, families, researchers, and collectors understand the terminology used throughout the U.S. military awards system.

Are all military awards called medals?

No. Military awards include medals, ribbons, decorations, badges, unit awards, certificates, and other forms of official recognition.

What is the difference between a medal and a ribbon?

A medal is the full decoration presented to the recipient, while the ribbon is a smaller version worn on military uniforms for everyday wear.

Why are devices added to ribbons?

Devices provide additional information, such as repeated awards, valor, campaign participation, or qualifying service, without requiring multiple medals.

Conclusion

The U.S. military awards system includes hundreds of specialized terms that describe medals, ribbons, devices, decorations, and recognition programs. Understanding this terminology makes it easier to identify awards, interpret military records, and appreciate the accomplishments of those who have served. Whether you’re researching a veteran’s service, building a medal collection, or learning about military history, this glossary serves as a valuable reference for the language of military honors.