GALLANTRY-AWARDS-L Archives

From: "Bernard de Neumann" <>
Subject: [GAL] The US gallantry system
Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 22:28:42 -0000

The following was written by Larry Goldberg in 1995and is reproduced here
for your information:

Following is a brief chronology of US medals for valor and merit for members

of the US Armed Forces:

25 March 1776 Continental Congress passes resolution for the awarding of
medals to officers of Army and Navy for victories during the War

of Independence. Washington received the first for forcing the British
evacuation of Boston. About five more medals were rewarded in the years
that followed. This were not medals that was worn, but were large table-top
medals.

??? The so-called "ANDRE" medals were given to the three New
York militiamen who captured Major Andre. Each received a brace of pistols
with silver mounts presented by General Washington, medals and were read a
resolution by Congress that awarded them $200 annually for life. (Big bucks
in those days.)

7 August 1782 Washington created the BADGE OF MILITARY MERIT, the first
"official" award, which was a large purple heart-shaped award worn on the
left breast and awarded for "any singular meritorious action." There are
only three know recipients of this award, all non-commissioned officers. It
fell into oblivion until 1932 when General Douglas MacArthur, then Army
Chief of Staff, pressed for its reinstatement as an award for those who been
wounded in WWI.

No other recognition was given for valor in the Revolution or the War of
1812.

3 March 1847 CERTIFICATE OF MERIT established for members of the Army.
539 of the CERTIFICATES were awarded for actions during the Mexican War of
the 1,206 total CERTIFICATES issued. In 1905, a medal was authorized for all
winners of the CERTIFICATE and to be awarded thereafter to any private
solider or non-com who had distinguished himself by merit or courage. Made
obsolete on 9 July 1918 upon establishment of the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
CROSS and DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL (see below).

12 December 1861 NAVY MOH authorized for petty officers, seamen, landsmen
and marines for gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities
(lifesaving, etc.) (Officers of the Navy and Marine Corps were not eligible
for the MOH until 3 March 1915, but some awards were made retroactive to
earlier events at that time).

12 July 1862 ARMY MOH authorized for Army non-coms and privates for
gallantry in action and other soldier-like qualities.

3 March 1863 Army officers made eligible for Army MOH.

3 March 1915 Naval and Marine officers made eligible for Navy MOH.

3 June 1916 The MOH was, for many years, the only decoration the Army
had. Some of the early awards of the medal were considered inappropriate.
In order to strengthen the integrity of the award, SECTION 122 of the
National Defense Act was passed on this date and established an Army board
of review that would examine all awards of the MOH and eliminate all those
deemed inappropriate. At this point, 2625 awards of the MOH had been made.

2 February 1917 Board completed review and 911 names were struck from the
list. Recipients were notified and were requested to return the MOH. (By
the way, few did.)

9 July 1918 An act of Congress established a system of decorations and
awards for the Army that has become known as the "Pyramid of Honor." It is
a hierarchal system with the MOH at its apex. It established the
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS and the ARMY DISTINGUSHED SERVICE MEDAL, and the
SILVER CITATION STAR (see below), each lower in precedence to the MOH. It
abolished the ARMY CERTIFICATE of MERIT.

9 July 1918 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS authorized for all members of
the Armed Forces serving with the US Army in any capacity who distinguish
themselves by extreme heroism not justifying a MOH.

9 July 1918 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL authorized "for exceptionally
meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility."
Distinct versions authorized for the Army, Navy, Coast Guard (4 August
1949) and AIr Force (6 July 1960).

9 July 1918 THE SILVER CITATION STAR authorized for any member of the
US Armed Forces who distinguished themselves in action against an enemy of
the US while serving with friendly forces against an opposing armed enemy
force. It ranks as the third highest decoration for valor awarded by the
US. Became the SILVER STAR in 1932.

4 February 1919 Congress authorizes an awards system for the Navy similar
to that established for the Army.

4 FEBRUARY 1918 NAVY CROSS authorized for all members of the Navy and
Marines who distinguish themselves by an extraordinary act of heroism not
justifying a MOH in military action against an armed enemy.

7 June 1921 MARINE CORPS BREVET MEDAL authorized for all members of
USMC holding brevet commissions for bravery in action. A very rare
decoration awarded to only 23 officers for service between 1861 and 1901.

8 August 1932 SILVER CITATION STAR redesignated SILVER STAR.

? ? 1932 PURPLE HEART established.

7 August 1942 Act of Congress gave the Navy Cross equivalence to the
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS making it a combat decoration only, awarded only
for exceptional heroism in great danger and personal risk.

2 February 1944 BRONZE STAR authorized for any person in any branch of the
military who distinguishes themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement
or service (although not for aerial flight). This is also awarded with a
"V" for valor device on the ribbon.

6 July 1960 USAF MOH established by Congress.

6 July 1960 USAF CROSS established by Congress as the Air Force
equivalent of the DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS.

The chronology is by no means complete ... just key dates are included.
Things like the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS and the LEGION of MERIT are not
included. Perhaps I'll expand this sometime in the future. Hope this helps
put some things into perspective.


The "Pyramid of Honor" (From the MOH to the Purple Heart)

1. Medal of Honor
2. Distinguished Service Cross (Army)
OR
Navy Cross (Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard)
OR
Air Force Cross (Air Force)
3. Defense Distinguished Service Medal
4. Distinguished Service Medal
5. Silver Star
6. Department of Transportation Gold Medal (Coast Guard only)
Defense Superior Service Medal (All branches including Coast Guard, but
Gold Medal has priority for Coast Guard.)
7. Legion of Merit
8. Distinguished Flying Cross
9. Soldier's Medal (Army)
OR
Navy and Marine Medal
OR
Airman's Medal
OR
Coast Guard Medal
10.Gold Lifesaving Medal (Coast Guard only)
Bronze Star (All branches including Coast Guard, but Gold Lifesaving
Medal medal has priority for Coast Guard.)
11.Purple Heart

I used several resources putting this together. Most useful was "Armed
Forces Decorations and Awards" (DoDGEN40A).


Bernard de Neumann

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