Welcome to our U.S. Military Medals Identification Guide. Whether you’re a veteran, family member, collector, or military history enthusiast, this page makes it easy to identify official U.S. military medals. Browse the images below, read a brief description of each medal, and follow the link to learn about its history, eligibility requirements, and significance.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. It recognizes extraordinary acts of valor performed above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in combat.
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Purple Heart Medal
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are wounded or killed as a direct result of enemy action. It is one of the oldest and most recognizable American military decorations.
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Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal recognizes heroic achievement, heroic service, or meritorious service in a combat zone. It may be awarded with a Valor Device for acts of heroism.
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Silver Star Medal
The Silver Star is awarded for exceptional gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. It is the nation’s third-highest military decoration for valor.
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Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit honors exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. It is awarded to both U.S. service members and qualifying foreign military personnel.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. It recognizes exceptional aviation accomplishments during combat or peacetime operations.
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Soldier’s Medal
The Soldier’s Medal recognizes acts of heroism performed by Army personnel that do not involve direct conflict with an enemy. It is awarded for extraordinary courage in non-combat situations.
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Army Commendation Medal
The Army Commendation Medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Army for sustained acts of heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. It is one of the Army’s most frequently awarded decorations.
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Army Achievement Medal
The Army Achievement Medal recognizes outstanding achievement or meritorious service that is of a lesser degree than required for the Army Commendation Medal.
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The Airman’s Medal
The Airman’s Medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force for acts of heroism involving voluntary risk of life outside of combat. It recognizes extraordinary courage during emergencies such as rescues, aircraft accidents, and other life-threatening situations. Read our complete Airman’s Medal guide to learn more.
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal recognizes junior officers and enlisted personnel for professional achievement or meritorious service that exceeds normal expectations. It is one of the most frequently awarded personal decorations in the Department of the Navy. Read our complete Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal guide to learn more.
Coast Guard Cross
The Coast Guard Cross is the Coast Guard’s second-highest decoration for extraordinary heroism during combat operations. Awarded for exceptional valor against an armed enemy, it recognizes acts of courage performed under the most dangerous conditions. Read our complete Coast Guard Cross guide to learn more.
Air Force Cross
The Air Force Cross is the U.S. Air Force’s second-highest military decoration for valor in combat. It honors extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy that falls just below the requirements for the Medal of Honor. Read our complete Air Force Cross guide to learn more.
Navy Cross Medal
The Navy Cross is the Navy and Marine Corps’ second-highest decoration for combat heroism. Awarded for extraordinary courage against enemy forces, it recognizes acts of valor that greatly exceed the normal expectations of military service. Read our complete Navy Cross guide to learn more.
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal recognizes superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility within joint military organizations. It is awarded to individuals whose leadership has made a substantial impact on Department of Defense operations. Read our complete Defense Superior Service Medal guide to learn more.
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to Air Force and Space Force personnel who perform exceptionally distinguished service in positions of great responsibility. It recognizes sustained leadership and extraordinary contributions to national defense. Read our complete Air Force Distinguished Service Medal guide to learn more.
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal is the Coast Guard’s highest award for exceptionally distinguished service. It honors leaders whose extraordinary performance and dedication have significantly advanced Coast Guard missions and national security. Read our complete Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal guide to learn more.
Coast Guard Medal
The Coast Guard Medal recognizes acts of heroism performed by Coast Guard personnel outside of combat. It is awarded to individuals who voluntarily risk their lives to save others or perform courageous acts under hazardous conditions. Read our complete Coast Guard Medal guide to learn more.
Distinguished Service Medal
The Distinguished Service Medal honors exceptionally meritorious service performed in positions of great responsibility. Awarded by several military branches, it recognizes leadership and accomplishments that have a lasting impact on military operations and national defense. Read our complete Distinguished Service Medal guide to learn more.
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to members of the Navy and Marine Corps for exceptionally distinguished service in positions of great responsibility. It recognizes superior leadership and sustained contributions to military readiness and mission success. Read our complete Navy Distinguished Service Medal guide to learn more.
Distinguished Service Cross
The Distinguished Service Cross is the U.S. Army’s second-highest decoration for extraordinary heroism in combat. Awarded for acts of valor against an armed enemy, it recognizes courage that is second only to the Medal of Honor. Read our complete Distinguished Service Cross guide to learn more.
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-combat decoration awarded by the Department of Defense. It recognizes exceptionally distinguished performance in positions of great responsibility supporting joint military operations and national security. Read our complete Defense Distinguished Service Medal guide to learn more.
Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
The Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal recognizes exceptionally distinguished service performed on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security. Awarded to military personnel and civilian leaders, it honors extraordinary leadership and lasting contributions to homeland security missions. Read our complete Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal guide to learn more.
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal recognizes outstanding non-combat achievement or meritorious service while serving in a joint military assignment. It honors individuals whose work significantly contributes to Department of Defense missions and joint operations. Read our complete Defense Meritorious Service Medal guide to learn more.
Good Conduct Medal
The Good Conduct Medal is awarded to enlisted service members who demonstrate exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity during a qualifying period of honorable military service. Each branch maintains its own version of the medal with specific eligibility requirements. Read our complete Good Conduct Medal guide to learn more.
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is awarded to military personnel who serve honorably during designated periods of national emergency or armed conflict. It recognizes honorable service rather than combat participation and has been presented to millions of service members since its creation. Read our complete National Defense Service Medal guide to learn more.
Combat Action Ribbon
The Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) recognizes members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard who actively participated in ground or surface combat. The award acknowledges direct engagement with enemy forces and is highly respected throughout the sea services. Read our complete Combat Action Ribbon guide to learn more.
Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB)
The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is awarded to U.S. Army infantry and Special Forces soldiers who personally engage in active ground combat while serving in an infantry or Special Forces unit. First established during World War II, the badge recognizes the unique sacrifices and courage of soldiers who face the enemy in direct combat. Read our complete Combat Infantryman Badge guide to learn more.