U.S. Military Awards (Current)

U.S. Military Awards (Current)

References Consulted:
The Institute of Heraldry, U.S. Army

So far, only the decorations for valor are shown in order of precedence.

Note: As Ian V. Hogg once famously remarked -- "Enlisted Men get medals for killing; Officers get them for doing other things...", the various services' Distinguished Service Medals are very rarely awarded to Enlisted Men; they usually go to officers, and in the USAF, are generally awarded when a General Officer retires. What keeps them on the list is that they can be awarded for meritous action in the face of the enemy; e.g. directing troops as enemy shells fall around your position.

U.S. Army

U.S. Air Force

U.S. Navy

U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Coast Guard

Class 1

Congressional Medal of Honor