USMC Medals & Ribbons

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Medal of Honor



Medal of Honor Ribbon




The Medal of Honor is awarded by the president, in the name of congress, to a service members of the US Navy, the US Marine Corps, and the US Coast Guard, who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the united states; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the united states is not a belligerent party. the deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. incontestable proof of the performance of the service and there must be no margin of doubt or possibility of error in awarding this medal. to justify the decoration, the individual's service must clearly be rendered conspicuous above his or her comrades by an act so outstanding that it clearly distinguishes his or her gallantry beyond the call of duty from lesser forms of bravery; and it must be the type of deed which if not done would not subject the individual to any justified criticism.

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Navy Cross Medal



Navy Cross Ribbon




The Navy Cross Medal is authorized (CCC) section 6242 of title 10, united states is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the navy or marine corps, distinguishes himself/herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of the medal of honor while engaged in an action against an enemy of the united states while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the united states is not a belligerent party. to warrant this distinctive decoration, the act or the execution of duty must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk and must be performed in such a manner as to set the individual apart from his or her shipmates or fellow marines. an accumulation of minor acts of heroism does not justify the award. the high standards demanded must be borne in mind when recommending the award.

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Defense Distinguished Service Medal



Defense Distinguished Service Ribbon




The defense distinguished service medal was established by executive order 11545 (reference (I)), 9 july 1970. it is awarded by the secretary of defense to officers of the armed forces of the united states whose exceptional performance of duty and contributions to national security or defense have been at the highest levels. such officers have direct and ultimate responsibility for a major activity or program that significantly influences the policies of the US government. only under the most unusual circumstances will the defense distinguished service medal be awarded as an impact award for outstanding temporary duty achievement. the defense distinguished service medal is specifically intended to recognize exceptionally distinguished service and to honor an individual's accomplishments over a sustained period.
normally, such broad responsibilities shall be held by only the most senior officers whose duties bring them into direct and frequent contact with the secretary of defense and the other senior officials within the government. examples of such positions are the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff; the chiefs and the vice chiefs of the military services, including the commandant and the assistant commandant of the marine corps; and the cincs and the deputy cincs of the unified combatant commands.
the defense distinguished service medal also may be awarded to other senior officers who serve in positions of great responsibility, or to an officer whose direct and individual contributions to national security or defense are recognized as being so exceptional in scope and value as to be equivalent to contributions normally associated with positions encompassing broader responsibilities.

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Navy Distinguished Service Medal



Navy Distinguished Service Ribbon




The distinguished service medal established by act of congress 9 july 1918 section 6243 of title 10, u.s.c. (reference (eee)). the distinguished service medal is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the navy or marine corps, distinguishes himself/herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the united states in a duty of great responsibility. to justify this decoration, an exceptional performance of duty, clearly above that normally expected, which has contributed materially to the success of a major command or project, is required. in general, the distinguished service medal will be awarded only to those officers in principal commands at sea or in the field whose service is such as to justify the award. however, this shall not be interpreted to preclude the award of the distinguished service medal to any individual whose service meets the requirements. if there is any doubt as to the degree of service involved, the legion of merit is the more appropriate award.

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Silver Star Medal



Silver Star Ribbon




The silver star, 6244 of reference (lll), united states code (10 usc 6244 ), was established by act of congress august 7, 1942 (public law 702). silver star is awarded to a member of the armed forces of the united states or of a friendly foreign nation who distinguishes himself/herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding service. for u.s. military personnel. to justify this decoration, the service rendered must have been comparable to that required for the distinguished service medal but in a duty of lesser though considerable responsibility. in general, the legion of merit will be awarded to officers in lesser commands at sea or principal commands on shore who have performed such exceptionally meritorious service as to justify the award of the distinguished service medal except as to degree of merit. however, this should not be interpreted to preclude the award of the legion of merit to any individual, regardless of grade or rate, whose acts or services meet the requirements. when the degree of achievement or service rendered, although meritorious, is not sufficient to warrant the award of the legion of merit, the bronze star medal or the meritorious service medal should be considered.

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Defense Superior Service Medal



Defense Superior Service Ribbon




The defense superior service medal (DSSM) was established by executive order 11904, 6 february 1976. it is awarded by the secretary of defense to members of the armed forces of the united states who, after 6 february 1976, distinguished themselves by noncombat meritorious achievement or service in a position of significant responsibility. only under the most unusual circumstances will defense superior service medal be awarded as an impact award for outstanding temporary duty achievement. the defense superior service medal is is specifically intended to recognize exceptionally meritorious service performance and to honor an individual's accomplishments over a sustained period.

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Legion Of Merit Medal



Legion Of Merit Ribbon




The legion of merit, section 1121, title 10, united states code (10 usc 1121), was established by act of congress 20 july 1942. awarded to a member of the armed forces of the united states or of a friendly foreign nation who distinguishes himself/herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding service. to justify this decoration, the service rendered must have been comparable to that required for the distinguished service medal but in a duty of lesser though considerable responsibility. in general, the legion of merit will be awarded to officers in lesser commands at sea or principal commands on shore who have performed such exceptionally meritorious service as to justify the award of the distinguished service medal except as to degree of merit. however, this should not be interpreted to preclude the award of the legion of merit to any individual, regardless of grade or rate, whose acts or services meet the requirements. when the degree of achievement or service rendered, although meritorious, is not sufficient to warrant the award of the legion of merit, the bronze star medal or the meritorious service medal should be considered.