The soldier's of today's military have a number of award ribbons that can be worn. Not so for soldiers of long ago. The Badge of Military Merit, established by General George Washington on August 7, 1782, was the first authorized U.S. military decoration. A piece of cloth in the form of a heart, this decoration was intended to recognize servicemen who displayed unusual gallantry or extraordinary fidelity. Only three are known to have been awarded, and the award fell into disuse after the Revolutionary War. General Douglas MacArthur revived it as the Purple Heart in 1932.
The Medal of Honor was the next decoration to be specifically designed and authorized for U.S. service members. It was established on December 21, 1861, by President Abraham Lincoln for enlisted men of the Navy and Marine Corps. Its use was later expanded to include enlisted men and officers of all services.
Since that time, many decorations have evolved. Changes in eligibility criteria have been made over the years, and, in some cases, decorations have fallen into disuse. However, the basic hierarchy remains unchanged. The Medal of Honor remains the highest military decoration that this nation can bestow upon a service member, and lesser degrees of recognition are acknowledged by other decorations in descending order.
Scroll down to the bottom of this page for Maryland Army National Guard specific awards and ribbons.
Medal of Honor |
Distinguished Service Cross |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal |
Distinguished Service Medal |
Silver Star |
Defense Superior Service Medal |
Legion of Merit |
Distinguished Flying Cross |
Soldiers Medal |
Bronze Star Medal |
Purple Heart |
Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
Meritorious Service Medal |
Air Medal |
Joint Service Commendation Medal |
Army Commendation Medal |
Joint Service Achievement Medal |
Army Achievement Medal |
POW Medal |
Good Conduct Medal |
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal |
Army of Occupation Medal |
National Defense Service Medal |
Korean Service Medal |
Antarctica Service Medal |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
Vietnam Service Medal |
Southwest Asia Service Medal |
Armed Forces Service Medal |
Humanitarian Service Medal |
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal |
Armed Forces Reserve Medal |
NCO Professional Development Ribbon |
Army Service Ribbon |
Overseas Service Ribbon |
Army Reserve Components |
United Nations Service Medal |
Inter-American Defense Board Medal |
United Nations Medal |
NATO Medal |
Multinational Force and Observers Medal |
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Kuwait Liberation Medal
(Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) |
Kuwait Liberation Medal
(Government of Kuwait) |
Presidential Unit Citation |
Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
Valorous Unit Award |
Meritorious Unit Commendation |
Army Superior Unit Award |
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation |
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation |
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation |
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation |
United nations Observer Group in India and Pakistan |
United Nations Security Forces, Hollandia |
United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia |
United Nations Advanced Mission in Cambodia |
United Nations Operation in Somalia |
United Nations Protection Force in Yugoslavia |
United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara |
United Nations Iraq/Kuwait Observation Group |
United Nations Mission in Haiti |
