Aug. 4, 2010 Joint Service Achievement Medal BACKGROUNDEstablished on Aug. 3, 1983, this award was established by and is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense for either outstanding achievement or meritorious service and takes precedence before the achievement medals of the military services. It may not be awarded for any act or
Aug. 4, 2010 Joint Service Commendation Medal BACKGROUNDThis decoration, established by the Department of Defense on June 25, 1963, is awarded by the office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other Department of Defense agencies or joint activities reporting through the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Any member of the Armed
Aug. 4, 2010 Korean Defense Service Medal BACKGROUNDThe Department of Defense approved the Korean Defense Service Medal in February 2004 to be given as recognition for military service in the Republic of Korea and the surrounding waters after July 28, 1954 and ending on such a future date as determined by the Secretary of
Aug. 4, 2010 Korean Service Medal BACKGROUNDThe Korean Service Medal was established by President Truman per Executive Order 10179, dated Nov. 8, 1950, and announced in DA Bulletin 21, 1950. The design, created by Mr. Thomas J. Jones, uses the symbols associated with Korea to reflect service in that country. There were 10 campaigns
Aug. 23, 2010 Kosovo Campaign Medal BACKGROUNDOn May 3, 2000, President Clinton approved the establishment of the Kosovo Campaign Medal to recognize the accomplishments of military service members participating or in direct support of Kosovo operations within established areas of eligibility. CRITERIAService members are authorized the
Aug. 23, 2010 Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait) BACKGROUNDThis award was authorized by the government of Kuwait to members of the U.S. military who participated in Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM and the Liberation of Kuwait. Secretary of Defense Memorandum, March 16, 1995, authorized the acceptance and wear of the Kuwait Liberation Medal
Aug. 6, 2010 Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) BACKGROUNDThis award was authorized by the government of Saudi Arabia to members of the coalition forces who participated in Operation DESERT STORM and the Liberation of Kuwait. On Oct. 7, 1991, the Deputy Secretary of Defense authorized the acceptance and wear of the Kuwait Liberation Medal by
Aug. 3, 2010 Legion of Merit BACKGROUNDThe Legion of Merit, the first United States decoration created specifically for citizens of other nations, was established by an Act of Congress of July 20, 1942, and amended by an executive order on March 15, 1955. CRITERIAIt is conferred on officers and enlisted men of the armed forces
Aug. 6, 2010 Medal for Humane Action BACKGROUNDThis medal is awarded to personnel who were assigned or attached to and present for duty for at least 120 days during the period June 26, 1948 and Sept. 30, 1949, inclusive with any of the units cited in Department of the Air Force general orders for participating in the Berlin Airlift or
Oct. 22, 2012 Medal of Honor BACKGROUNDThis was established by Congress on July 6, 1960, as the highest of several awards created specifically for the Air Force. The first presentation of this Medal of Honor was made at the White House in Washington on Jan. 19, 1967, when the president placed it around the neck of Maj. Bernard