Decorations guide
U.S. Military Medals & Decorations
A plain-English guide to the most important American military decorations, from the Medal of Honor down — what each one recognizes, when it was created and how they rank.
American decorations follow an order of precedence that determines how they are worn and how they rank against one another. Valor awards for combat heroism sit at the top: the Medal of Honor, then each service’s “cross,” then the Silver Star. Awards for exceptional service and achievement, for non-combat heroism and for wounds received in action follow. The list below uses the commonly cited joint order; each branch publishes its own detailed chart.
Medal of Honor
Est. 1861 (Navy), 1862 (Army), 1965 (Air Force design). Conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States.
Distinguished Service Cross
Est. 1918. Extraordinary heroism in combat against an enemy, not justifying the Medal of Honor.
Navy Cross
Est. 1919. Extraordinary heroism in combat against an enemy, not justifying the Medal of Honor.
Air Force Cross
Est. 1960. Extraordinary heroism in combat against an enemy, not justifying the Medal of Honor.
Coast Guard Cross
Est. 2010. Extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy while serving with the Coast Guard, not justifying the Medal of Honor.
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Est. 1970. Exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security in a position of unique and great responsibility.
Distinguished Service Medals (Army, Navy, Air & Space Forces, Coast Guard)
Est. 1918 (Army), 1919 (Navy), 1960 (Air Force), 1961 (Coast Guard). Exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility.
Silver Star
Est. 1918 (as the Citation Star); medal from 1932. Gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
Defense Superior Service Medal
Est. 1976. Superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility in a joint activity.
Legion of Merit
Est. 1942. Exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.
Distinguished Flying Cross
Est. 1926. Heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Soldier’s Medal and service equivalents
Est. 1926 (Soldier’s Medal), 1942 (Navy and Marine Corps Medal), 1960 (Airman’s Medal), 1949 (Coast Guard Medal). Heroism involving personal danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions other than conflict with an enemy.
Bronze Star Medal
Est. 1944. Heroic or meritorious achievement or service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.
Purple Heart
Est. 1932 (revived from George Washington’s 1782 Badge of Military Merit). Wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving with the U.S. armed forces.
Meritorious Service Medal
Est. 1969. Outstanding meritorious achievement or service in a non-combat setting.
Air Medal
Est. 1942. Heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Prisoner of War Medal
Est. 1985. Taken prisoner and held captive while engaged in or supporting military operations.
Combat Action Ribbon and combat badges
Est. 1969. Active participation in ground or surface combat.
