| I would like to know what types of | | | | For each task or assignment, there would |
| duties you receive medals for. My | | | | be only 1 Medal of Honor. However, |
| students have also come up with some | | | | there are very few people who have ever |
| questions. What is the highest ranking | | | | gotten a second Medal of Honor, and most |
| Medal you can get? Are there different | | | | of them were given out during the time |
| types of Medals for each branch of the | | | | period of the Civil War to World War 1. |
| military? For each task or assignment, | | | | No second award of the Medal of Honor |
| would there be a different Medal of | | | | has been given since then. Usually, |
| Honor? Do you know any resources (books, | | | | once someone wins the MOH, they are |
| magazines, websites) we can use to | | | | pulled from the combat zone. |
| further our research? | | | | The pyramid was instituted around the |
| The highest medal an American Military | | | | WWII time period, basically because it |
| person can get is the Medal of Honor. | | | | was felt that some acts of valor were of |
| Some call it the Congressional Medal of | | | | a higher level than others, and vice |
| Honor, but the proper name is just | | | | versa, so they needed a medal to |
| "Medal of Honor". I suggest you read | | | | recognize them. There is also the topic |
| some of the citations for the Medal of | | | | of Campaign Medals, awarded for |
| Honor, you will be awed at what these | | | | participation in a certain action or |
| men have done. | | | | theatre of operations. The WWII period |
| There are different types of medals for | | | | produced 5 of these types of awards. |
| each branch of the military, as well as | | | | 1. The American Defense Service Medal: |
| the Coast Guard. This gets a bit | | | | basically awarded to draftees and |
| complicated at times. Think of the | | | | volunteers who served prior to the |
| awarding of medals like a pyramid: the | | | | attack on Pearl Harbor. |
| highest, the Medal of Honor, is at the | | | | 2-4. American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific |
| top. Although each branch of the | | | | Campaign, and European-African-Middle |
| service has a differently designed MOH, | | | | Eastern Campaign Medals: Awarded for |
| they are the same award. Next down is | | | | service in these theatres of war. The |
| the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy | | | | American Campaign medal was for service |
| Cross/Air Force Cross. This is also a | | | | in the area of the United States |
| valor award. Following that is a whole | | | | 5. World War 2 Victory Medal: awarded |
| slew of other medals awarded for | | | | to any serving member of the military |
| "Meritorious performance of duty" that | | | | during the time period of WWII. |
| don't necessarily involve combat. The | | | | Finally, as to awards, most veterans of |
| next highest valor award is the Silver | | | | WWII came home with at least 2 medals, |
| Star followed by the Bronze Star (with | | | | usually more. Contrast this to today |
| 'V' means Valor, without 'V' means | | | | military, who typically sport 13-15 |
| meritorious service). Each branch then | | | | medals after a tour in the combat zone. |
| has its own Commendation medals, the | | | | The medals/ribbons that a WWII Army |
| Army Commendation Medal, Navy & Marine | | | | veteran of the European Campaign would |
| Corps Commendation Medal, Coast Guard | | | | typically have. Good Conduct Medal |
| Commendation Medal, and the Air Force | | | | (awarded for staying out of trouble for |
| Commendation Medal. These can also have | | | | 3 years, not a valor award), European |
| a "V" attached, for Valor in combat. | | | | Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal. If |
| Lastly, there are the Achievement | | | | the vet was an active infantryman (most |
| Medals, Army Achievement, Navy & Marine | | | | guys were not, it takes about 100 men to |
| Corps Achievement, Air Force | | | | support the guy with the rifle in the |
| Achievement, Coast Guard Achievement | | | | foxhole), he may have a Bronze Star |
| medals. They can also have "V" affixed, | | | | (every Infantryman in WWII was issued a |
| denoting Valor. | | | | Bronze Star Medal in late 1944 for |
| Notice how the pyramid works - the | | | | combat service). He would also have a |
| braver the act, the higher the award. | | | | Combat Infantryman Badge, which is a |
| You don't have to get the others to get | | | | Kentucky flintlock rifle on a blue |
| the Medal of Honor. (Some countries do | | | | enamel background, surrounded by a |
| this, most notably Germany during WWII; | | | | wreath. This signified the man had been |
| but suffice to say a soldier had to earn | | | | in combat. Chances are he may have a |
| each level of the pyramid before moving | | | | Purple Heart as well; this medal is |
| on to the next. The highest German | | | | awarded for wounds (or death) due to |
| medal, somewhat equivalents to our Medal | | | | enemy action (you don't have to be in |
| of Honor, was the Knights Cross to the | | | | the Infantry to get it). |
| Iron Cross). | | | | |