MEDALS, BADGES AND RIBBONS
In all of the nations of the world it is customary to recognize special
acts of gallantry upon the field of battle, marked devotion to duty in
the service of the country and long and faithful service in the armies
and navies by promotion, by granting special honors or orders, or by
the conferring of medals and decorations.
In the military and naval service of the United States there are a
number of authorized medals and badges presented to the officers and
enlisted men in recognition of their gallant services and deeds in the
wars in which our country has been engaged.
In addition to the medals conferred for war service there are medals
for long and faithful service with the colors and special badges
awarded for excellency at target practice both on land and sea.
These medals and badges are proudly worn and highly prized by their
recipients and are often handed down to posterity as valued heirlooms.
Medals and badges are usually suspended from a small section of ribbon,
the colors of the ribbon being distinctive for each medal.
In accordance with the regulations and orders for the various services
medals are to be worn with special full dress and full dress uniforms
on the left breast in one horizontal line, suspended from a single
holding bar, each medal being attached to the bar by the distinctive
ribbon authorized for it, and the upper edge of the bar being on a
horizontal line one inch below the point of the shoulder, which should
bring it between the first and second buttons of the full dress coat
for officers.
There is a specified order for the arrangement of the medals upon the
holding bar, the medal of the oldest date being worn nearest the center
line of the coat and the others in order of precedence, according to
the date of the event for which conferred, toward the left shoulder of
the wearer.
With undress and service uniforms in lieu of the medals and badges
sections of the ribbons from which they are suspended are worn. These
ribbons of medals and badges are each equal in length to the full width
of the ribbon and three-eighths of an inch wide. Ribbons of medals and
badges are worn on the left breast of the coat in the same relative
position as the medals and badges which they represent. In case the
wearer has received so many that there is not room on the coat to wear
them in one row, they are arranged in two rows.
The medals and badges, or the ribbons worn in their stead with undress
and service uniforms, show the special military honors which have been
conferred upon the wearer and the wars and campaigns in which he has
seen active service, and a knowledge of the designs of these bits of
metal and of the bright colored strips of silk will often give a fair
idea of the services and honors of the man who wears them.
The founders of the United States of America looked askance upon
anything that savored of monarchical government and as a result we find
that the Constitution provides that,
“No title of nobility shall be granted by the
United States; and no person holding any office of
profit or trust under them shall, without the consent
of Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office
or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince
or foreign state.”
[Illustration: GOLD LIFE-SAVING MEDAL SILVER LIFE-SAVING MEDAL
CERTIFICATE Of MERIT MEDAL CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL PHILIPPINE SERVICE
MEXICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL HAITIAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
NICARAGUAN MEDAL 1912 INDIAN WARS MEDAL
GOOD-CONDUCT MEDAL U. S. NAVY GOOD-CONDUCT MEDAL U. S. MARINE CORPS
Bars of distinctive ribbons of United States Government medals. Worn by
officers and men upon whom the medals have been conferred with dress,
undress, service dress and evening dress uniforms.]
Following out this early mandate the regulations of the present day
forbid the _wearing_ by the officers and enlisted men of the services
of the United States of any medal or decoration granted by any foreign
state or ruler, although the Congress has in a number of instances
authorized officers and enlisted men to _receive_ such decorations.
In the early days of the republic Congress on several occasions passed
resolutions of thanks to commanders on land and sea whose forces had
won notable victories, and these resolutions generally provided for the
striking of a medal to commemorate the victory and for a sword of honor
to be presented by the government to the victorious commander, but
these medals were not intended to be worn with the uniform.
It was not until 1861 that Congress authorized the first medal to
be worn as a special badge of honor by soldiers who had especially
distinguished themselves in the military service of the country. This
decoration was officially styled the “Medal of Honor.”
This was followed in later years by the enactment of laws prescribing
other decorations and medals and the promulgation of regulations and
orders as to the manner in which they should be worn.
The following medals and badges are authorized by Act of Congress or by
executive order and in accordance with the regulations of the military
and naval services are worn by the officers and enlisted men upon whom
they have been conferred.
1. Medal of Honor, U. S. Army.
2. Medal of Honor, U. S. Navy, U. S. Marine Corps,
and U. S. Coast Guard.
3. Medal commemorating the Battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898.
4. Medal commemorating the Naval Engagements in the West Indies
during the War with Spain, 1898.
5. Special Meritorious Medal for Services during the War with
Spain, other than in Battle.
6. Certificate of Merit Medal.
7. Civil War Campaign Medal.
8. Indian Campaign Medal.
9. Spanish War Campaign Medal.
10. Congressional Medal for Philippine Service.
11. Philippine Insurrection Campaign Medal.
12. Army of Cuban Occupation Medal, 1898-1902.
13. China Relief Expedition Medal.
14. Gold Life-Saving Medal.
15. Silver Life-Saving Medal.
16. Cuban Pacification Medal.
17. Nicaraguan Campaign Medal.
18. Haitian Campaign Medal, 1915.
19. Good-Conduct Medal, U. S. Navy.
20. Good-Conduct Medal, U. S. Marine Corps.
21. Medals and Badges for Excellence in Gunnery.
22. Medals and Badges for Excellence in small-arms target firing
as follows:
(a) Expert Rifleman’s Badge, Army and Marine Corps.
(b) Sharpshooter’s Medal, Navy and Marine Corps.
(c) Expert Rifleman’s Bar Badge, Navy.
(d) Pistol Expert Badge, Army and Marine Corps.
(e) Expert Pistol-shot’s Bar Badge, Navy.
(f) Distinguished Marksman’s Medal, Marine Corps.
(g) Sharpshooter’s Badge, Army and Marine Corps.
(h) Marksman’s Badge, Army and Marine Corps.
(i) Division Competition Medal.
(j) Medals given by the National Rifle Association
in matches held under its cognizance.
[Illustration: The Medal of Honor, U. S. Army
The Medal of Honor, U. S. Navy]
[Illustration: Medal Commemorating the Battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898
Medal Commemorating the Naval Engagements in the West Indies during the
War with Spain, 1898]
The designs of the various medals and badges and the colors of their
distinctive ribbons are shown in the accompanying illustrations.
Laws have been passed authorizing the wearing of the badges of certain
societies composed of men who have served in the War of the Revolution,
the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the War with Spain,
the Philippine Insurrection and the China Relief Expedition, but the
regulations prohibit the wearing of these badges while in uniform when
medals and badges presented by the government are worn.
_The Medal of Honor, U. S. Army._—The Medal of Honor for the Army was
first authorized by Act of Congress in 1861 and is awarded to officers
and enlisted men of the Army in the name of Congress for particular
deeds of most distinguished gallantry in action. In order that an
officer or enlisted man may receive a medal of honor he must have
performed in action a deed of most distinguished personal bravery or
self-sacrifice, above and beyond the call of duty, so conspicuous as to
clearly distinguish him for gallantry or intrepidity above his comrades
in arms, involving risk of life or the performance of more than
ordinarily hazardous service. This medal is of bronze with the wreath
in green enamel.
_The Medal of Honor_, U. S. Navy and Marine Corps. The Medal of Honor
for the Navy, including the Marine Corps, was authorized by Act of
Congress in 1862, which provided that enlisted men of the Naval Service
distinguishing themselves in battle, or by extraordinary heroism in
the line of their profession, may be promoted to forward warrant
officers, upon the recommendation of their commanding officer, approved
by the Flag Officer and the Secretary of the Navy; and that upon such
recommendation they shall receive a Medal of Honor and a gratuity of
one hundred dollars. This law provided the medal of honor and its
accompanying gratuity for enlisted men only, but the Act of Congress
of March 3, 1915, extended it to officers by the following proviso:
“The President of the United States is hereby empowered to prepare
a suitable Medal of Honor to be awarded to any officer of the Navy,
Marine Corps, or Coast Guard who shall distinguish himself in battle or
display extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession.” The Navy
Medal of Honor and the anchor from which it is suspended are of bronze.
Medals of Honor for both the Army and the Navy, being the highest
decorations awarded by the United States government, are worn suspended
from the neck by a ribbon of light blue studded with white stars so
that the medal will be at the center of the neck opening of the coat.
_The Medal Commemorating the Battle of Manila Bay._—This medal,
popularly known as the “Dewey Medal,” was the next one authorized by
Congress after the Medal of Honor, and was struck in accordance with a
joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives approved by
the President on June 3, 1898, reading as follows:
“_Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled_, That the Secretary of the Navy
be, and he hereby is, authorized to present a sword
of honor to Commodore George Dewey, and to cause to
be struck bronze medals commemorating the battle of
Manilla Bay, and to distribute such medals to the
officers and men of the ships of the Asiatic Squadron
of the United States under command of Commodore
George Dewey on May first, eighteen hundred and
ninety-eight.”
[Illustration: 1. Medal for Meritorious Service other than in battle,
U. S. Navy, 1898
2. Certificate of Merit Medal 3. Civil War Medal, U. S. Army
4. Civil War Medal, U. S. Navy]
[Illustration: 1. Indian Wars Campaign Medal 2. Cuban Occupation Medal
3. Congressional Medal for Philippine Service, U. S. Army
4. Nicaraguan Campaign Medal, 1912]
The front or “obverse” of this medal bears the bust of Admiral Dewey in
low bas-relief and the legend, “The gift of the People of the United
States to the Officers and Men of the Asiatic Squadron under command of
Commodore George Dewey,” while the back, or “reverse,” bears the figure
of a sailor and a great gun with the inscription, “In Memory of the
Victory of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898,” and the name of the ship in which
the recipient served during the battle. The medal is suspended from a
bronze bar by three links of chain and is backed by its distinctive
ribbon, blue, yellow, blue.
_The Medal Commemorating the Naval Engagements in the West Indies
during the War with Spain._—This medal, usually known to the service as
the “Sampson Medal,” was struck in accordance with a joint resolution
of Congress approved by the President on March 3, 1901, reading as
follows:
“_Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled_, That the Secretary of the Navy
be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause to be
struck medals commemorative of the naval and other
engagements in the waters of the West Indies and on
the shores of Cuba during the War with Spain, and to
distribute the same to the officers and men of the
Navy and Marine Corps who participated in any of said
engagements deemed by him of sufficient importance
to desire commemoration; _Provided_, That officers
and men of the Navy or Marine Corps who rendered
specially meritorious service, otherwise than in
battle, may be rewarded in a like manner.”
The medal commemorating the Naval engagements in the West Indies is
of bronze, the obverse bears the bust of Rear Admiral Sampson in low
bas-relief and the inscription “U. S. Naval Campaign West Indies
1898. William T. Sampson Commander in Chief,” and the reverse bears a
representation of a gun’s crew in bas-relief; the medal is suspended by
its distinctive ribbon, red, blue, red, from a bronze bar bearing the
name of the engagement in which the recipient participated. In case the
recipient took part in more than one engagement an additional bar is
added for each engagement.
_Special Meritorious Medal for Services in the War with Spain Other
than in Battle._—This medal was struck in accordance with the joint
resolution of Congress of March 3, 1901, quoted above, the portion of
that resolution authorizing it being as follows:
“_Provided_, That officers and men of the Navy
or Marine Corps who rendered specially meritorious
service, otherwise than in battle, may be rewarded in
like manner.”
This medal is of bronze in the form of a maltese cross with a medallion
centerpiece. The centerpiece bears a foul anchor surrounded by a laurel
wreath and the inscription “U. S. Naval Campaign West Indies,” and the
arms of the cross bear the words “Specially Meritorious Service 1898,”
on the obverse side. On the reverse side is engraved the name of the
recipient and the act for which the medal was awarded.
_The Certificate of Merit Medal._—This medal is conferred upon enlisted
men of the Army by executive order of the President in cases where
the recipient thereof has distinguished himself in the service of the
country and has been recommended therefor by the commander of his
regiment or the chief of the corps to which he belongs. It is of bronze
with a Roman eagle surrounded by the inscription “_Virtutis et audaciae
monumentum et praemium_” on the obverse side and on the reverse a
wreath with the words “United States Army” surrounding it and the
words “For Merit” enclosed in it. The ribbon has a narrow white stripe
through the center with red, white and blue stripes on each side.
[Illustration: U. S. Army Campaign Medals
1. War with Spain, 1898 2. China Relief Expedition
3. Philippine Insurrection 4. Cuban Pacification, 1906-1909]
[Illustration: _Copyright, Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., Phila., Pa._
1. The Distinguished Service Cross, 1918. United States Army
2. Mexican Service Campaign Medal, United States Army
3. Mexican Service Campaign Medal, United States Navy]
_The Distinguished Service Cross._—This decoration, authorized by the
President January 12, 1918, is awarded by him or in his name by the
commanding general of the American Expeditionary Forces to any person
serving with the Army for extraordinary heroism in connection with
military operations against an armed enemy after April 6, 1917, under
circumstances not justifying the award of the medal of honor. It is a
bronze cross surcharged with an eagle with a scroll below the eagle
bearing the words “For Valor.” The ribbon is blue with narrow stripes
of white and red at the edges.
_The Distinguished Service Medal._—This bronze medal, authorized by the
President January 12, 1918, is awarded by him to any person serving
with the Army for exceptionally meritorious service in duty of great
responsibility or in military operations against an armed enemy. Its
obverse bears the coat of arms of the United States surrounded by the
words “For Distinguished Service.” The ribbon has a wide central stripe
of white with a narrow stripe of blue on each side of it and a red
stripe at each edge.
The distinguished service cross medal may be awarded posthumously to
persons killed in the performance of acts that merit the award or who
die prior to such award, the cross or medal being given to the nearest
relative of the deceased person.
A person who holds a distinguished service cross or distinguished
service modal is entitled to wear upon the ribbon for each additional
citation in War Department orders a bronze oak leaf and for citation
for gallantry by a general officer’s headquarters a silver star.
_Congressional Medal for Philippine Service._—This bronze medal,
authorized by Act of Congress in 1899, was conferred upon officers
and men of the Army distinguishing themselves in action during the
Philippine Insurrection. On the obverse is a group of three soldiers
facing to the left, the central one bearing the colors and the other
two with rifles at the “shoulder,” surrounded by the inscription
“Philippine Insurrection, 1899.” On the reverse are the words “For
Patriotism, Fortitude and Loyalty” enclosed in a circle composed of
a branch of pine on the left and a branch of palm on the right. The
ribbon is blue with narrow bands of white, red, white near each edge.
_Gold Life-Saving Medal._—This medal, established by Act of Congress,
June 20, 1874, is awarded to “those who by extreme and heroic daring
have endangered their lives in saving or endeavoring to save lives
from the perils of the sea.” The obverse has a design of a boat’s crew
rescuing a man from a stormy sea, surrounded by the inscription “United
States of America. Act of Congress, June 20, 1874.” The reverse bears a
scroll surmounted by an eagle and supported at the left by the figure
of Victory and at the right by an anchor and a ship’s sails, surrounded
by the inscription, “In testimony of heroic deeds in saving life from
the perils of the sea.” The medal is suspended from a clasp of gold
representing the head of an eagle and the clasp is suspended by a
scarlet silk ribbon.
[Illustration: Campaign Medals. U. S. Navy and Marine Corps
1. War with Spain, 1898 2. West Indies Campaign, 1898
3. Philippine Insurrection 4. China Relief Expedition, 1900]
[Illustration: 1. Gold Life-Saving Medal (obverse)
2. Gold Life-Saving Medal (reverse)
3. Silver Life-Saving Medal (obverse)
4. Silver Life-Saving Medal (reverse)]
_Silver Life-Saving Medal._—This medal, established by Act of Congress,
June 20, 1874, is awarded to “those who have endangered their lives
in saving lives from the perils of the sea or in succoring the
shipwrecked.” The obverse bears an allegorical design of a rescue from
the sea, surrounded by the inscription “United States of America. Act
of Congress, June 20, 1874.” The reverse has a wreath surrounded by the
words, “In testimony of heroic deeds in saving life from the perils of
the sea.” The medal is suspended from a silver clasp representing the
head of an eagle, the clasp being suspended by a light blue silk ribbon.
_Civil War Campaign Medal._—This is the first of the campaign medals
or badges. It is of bronze and was awarded to all officers and men who
participated with honor in the Civil War. The Army medal has on its
obverse side the head of Lincoln, nearly in profile, facing to the
right, surrounded by the inscription, “With malice toward none, with
charity for all,” and on the reverse a wreath of oak and olive branches
enclosing the words “The Civil War” and dates “1861-1865.” The Navy
medal bears on its obverse a scene from the battle of the _Monitor_ and
the _Merrimac_ and the inscription, “The Civil War, 1861-1865,” and
on the reverse an eagle perched on a foul anchor with the words “For
Service” below, the whole surrounded by a circle composed of a branch
of oak and a branch of olive leaves in the lower half and in the upper
half the words “United States Navy” or “United States Marine Corps,”
according to the service of the wearer. The ribbon is blue and gray.
The reverse side of all Navy campaign medals is the same as for the
Civil War medal; all Army campaign medals, with the exception of the
Civil War medal, have on the reverse a trophy composed of an eagle
perched on a cannon supported by five standards, rifles, an Indian
shield, spear and quiver of arrows, a Cuban machete and a Sulu kriss,
with the words “For Service” below, the whole surrounded by a circle of
the words “United States Army” in the upper half and thirteen stars in
the lower half.
_Indian Campaign Medal._—This bronze medal was given to all officers
and men of the U. S. Army who participated with honor in the campaigns
against hostile Indians. Its obverse bears a mounted Indian, facing to
the right, with a spear in his right hand and wearing a war bonnet, all
surrounded by a circle composed of the words “Indian Wars” above and a
buffalo skull below with arrowheads completing the circle. The ribbon
is red with a narrow black band near each end.
_Spanish War Campaign Medal._—This bronze medal was conferred upon
officers and men of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps who saw active and
honorable service in the War with Spain in 1898. The obverse of the
Army medal bears a conventional castle with two round corner towers
surrounded by a circle of the words “War with Spain” above and the
date 1898 below with a branch of tobacco plant to the left and stalk
of sugar cane to the right. The obverse of the Navy medal bears the
Morro Castle at Havana surrounded by the inscription “Spanish Campaign,
1898.” A medal of the same design but with the inscription “West
Indies Campaign, 1898,” was presented to officers and men of the Navy
and Marine Corps who participated in the naval operations in the West
Indies in 1898. The ribbon is blue, yellow, blue, with narrow yellow
edges.
[Illustration: 1. Haitian Campaign Medal, 1915
2. Cuban Pacification Medal, U. S. Navy and Marine Corps
3. Good-Conduct Medal, U. S. Navy
4. Good-Conduct Medal, U. S. Marine Corps]
[Illustration: Medals and Badges for excellence in small arms firing]
_Philippine Insurrection Campaign Medal._—This bronze medal was given
to officers and men of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps who saw active
service in the Philippine Insurrection, 1899 to 1903. The obverse of
the Army medal bears a cocoa palm tree with a Roman lamp on the left
and balanced scales on the right, surrounded by the words “Philippine
Insurrection, 1899”; that of the Navy medal has the Santiago gate at
Manila surrounded by “Philippine Campaign, 1899-1903,” and two palm
branches. The ribbon is crimson, blue, crimson, with narrow blue edges.
_Army of Cuban Occupation Medal._—This bronze medal was given to the
officers and men of the U. S. Army which occupied Cuba during the
U. S. Military Government from 1898 until the establishment of the
Cuban Republic in 1902. On the obverse is the coat of arms of the
Cuban Republic surrounded by the words “Army of Occupation Military
Government of Cuba,” with the dates 1898-1902 above the shield. The
ribbon is red, blue, red, with narrow blue edges, the central blue
stripe having narrow yellow edges.
_China Relief Expedition Medal._—This bronze medal was given to
officers and men of the U. S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps who took part
in the defense of the legations at Peking, China, and their relief
in 1900. The obverse of the Army medal bears the Imperial Chinese
five-toed dragon surrounded by the words “China Relief Expedition,
1900-1901”; and that of the Navy medal bears the Chienmen, the main
gate of Peking, with a dragon below, all surrounded by the words “China
Relief Expedition, 1900.” The ribbon is yellow with blue edges.
_Cuban Pacification Medal._—This bronze medal was given to officers and
men of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps who took part in the “second
intervention in Cuba,” 1906-1909. The obverse of the Army medal
bears the coat of arms of the Cuban Republic with the words “Cuban
Pacification” above and the dates 1906-1909 below it. The obverse of
the Navy medal bears an allegorical design representing “Columbia”
tendering the olive branch of peace to “Cuba.” The ribbon is olive-drab
edged with narrow stripes of red, white and blue.
_Nicaraguan Campaign Medal._—This bronze medal was given to officers
and men of the Navy and Marine Corps in the expedition which
established stable government in Nicaragua in 1912. The obverse shows
Mount Momotombo, surrounded by the inscription “Nicaraguan Campaign,
1912.” The ribbon is blue, crimson, blue, with narrow crimson edges.
_Mexican Service Campaign Medal._—This bronze medal was given to
officers and men of the military and naval services who participated
in the operations in Mexico, the Vera Cruz expedition of 1914, the
punitive expeditions of 1916-17, or who were between 1911 and 1917
present at engagements where there were casualties to U. S. troops. The
obverse of the Army medal bears the Mexican yucca plant in flower with
mountains in the background, surrounded by the inscription “Mexican
Service, 1911-1917.” The obverse of the Navy medal bears the castle of
San Juan de Ulloa at Vera Cruz, surrounded by the inscription “Mexican
Service, 1914.” The ribbon is yellow, blue, yellow, with narrow green
edges.
_Haitian Campaign Medal._—This bronze medal was given to officers
and men of the Navy and Marine Corps who took part in the operations
in Haiti between July 9 and December 6, 1915. The obverse shows Cape
Haitien with the sea in the foreground and mountains in the background
with a palm tree at the left; above the design encircling it are the
words “Haitian Campaign” while below the design is the date, 1915. The
distinctive ribbon is blue with two narrow red stripes through the
center.
_The Good-Conduct Medal_, U. S. Navy.—This medal is bestowed upon
enlisted men of the Navy who have served a complete enlistment of
four years with such constant and especially meritorious attention to
duty and efficiency as to win the recommendations of their commanding
officers for “Good-Conduct.” It is of bronze, its obverse side showing
an anchor surmounted by a central medallion bearing a representation of
the U. S. S. _Constitution_ and surrounded by an anchor chain and the
words “United States Navy.” It is suspended by a ribbon of crimson.
_The Good-Conduct Medal_, U. S. Marine Corps.—This medal is bestowed
upon enlisted men of that service under similar conditions to those
prescribed for the Navy. It is of bronze and its obverse side bears
an anchor surmounted by a central medallion showing a marine at the
breech of a rapid-fire gun and surrounded by an anchor chain and the
words “United States Marine Corps,” with the motto of the Marine Corps,
“Semper Fidelis,” on a scroll between the flukes of the anchor. It is
suspended by a miniature rifle from a bar by the distinctive ribbon of
red, blue, red; the bar bearing the inscription “U. S. Marine Corps.”
_Wound Chevrons._—A gold chevron, each arm one-half inch wide and two
inches long, worn on the right sleeve below the elbow, is given to each
officer and enlisted man who is wounded in action or disabled by gas.
_War Service Chevrons._—A similar chevron, to be worn on the left
sleeve below the elbow, is given for each six months of active service
in the zone of the advance in the present war.