173rd Airborne Brigade
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Description
The Armed Forces Reserve Medal is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1950. The medal recognizes service performed by members of the reserve components and is awarded to both officers and enlisted personnel. The medal is considered a successor award to the Naval Reserve Medal and the Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon, which were discontinued in 1958 and 1967 respectively.
Armed Forces Service Medal
Description
The Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) is a military award of the United States military which was created on January 11, 1996 by President Bill Clinton under Executive Order 12985. The medal is a theater service award which is presented to those service members who engage in "significant activity" for which no other campaign or service medal is authorized.
National Defense Service Medal
Description
The National Defense Service Medal is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. The medal was first intended to be a "blanket campaign medal" awarded to service members who served honorably during a designated time period of which a "national emergency" had been declared during a time of war or conflict. It may also be issued to active military members for any other period that the Secretary of Defense designates.
Army Good Conduct Medal
Description
The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Navy's variant of the Good Conduct Medal was established in 1869, the Marine Corps version in 1896, the Coast Guard version in 1923, the Army version in 1941, and the Air Force version in 1963; the Air Force Good Conduct Medal was discontinued from February 2006 to February 2009.
Army Achievement Medal
Description
The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal.
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Description
The last Commendation Medal to be created (in 1963) is the Joint Service Commendation Medal. This award is intended for service in joint military organizations and is senior in precedence to the service-specific Commendation Medals.
Meritorious Service Medal
Description
At the Tri-Department Awards Conference (February 5, 1968), there was a discussion on the need for a third meritorious award to provide appropriate recognition for non-combat achievement or service comparable to that of the Bronze Star Medal for combat achievement or service. It was felt that the Legion of Merit's prestige was slipping because it was being used with increasing frequency to reward service below the Legion of Merit's intended standard, but higher than that required for the Commendation Medals of the various military services
Air Medal
Description
The Air Medal was established by Executive Order 9158, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, on 11 May 1942. The Air Medal was awarded retroactive to 8 September 1939. The medal is awarded to anyone who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Armed Forces of the United States, distinguishes himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Distinguished Flying Cross
Description
Recipient must distinguish themselves in support of operations by showing "great heroism or extraordinary action" in an aerial flight as Pilot or Crew Chief. May be awarded for a single action or series of actions that go above and beyond the normal duties of an aviator.
Army Commendation Medal
Description
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star Medal, a Commendation Medal with "V" Device or Combat "V" (Navy/Marine) is awarded; the "V" device may be authorized for wear on the service and suspension ribbon of the medal to denote valor. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth version existing for acts of joint military service performed under the Department of Defense.
Bronze Star
Description
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to service members for heroic or meritorious achievement or service in a combat zone. Established in 1944, it is the fourth-highest combat award and the ninth-highest in order of precedence for the U.S. military.
Legion of Merit
Description
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a prestigious United States military decoration established by Congress in 1942 to recognize exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. It is unique in that it is the only U.S. award with degrees (for foreign recipients) and one of only two neck orders (along with the Medal of Honor).
Silver Star
Description
The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
Distinguished Service Medal
Description
The U.S. Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a top-level military decoration awarded for exceptionally meritorious service to the government in duties of great responsibility.
173rd Medal of Conspicuous Service and Integrity
Description
Created and approved by 173rd Command in recognition of those who devoted time towards the creation of the new 173rd Airborne.
Purple HEART
Description
The Purple Heart is the oldest U.S. military decoration, established by George Washington in 1782 as the "Badge of Military Merit". It is awarded in the name of the President to service members wounded or killed in combat against an enemy force. The medal features a profile of Washington and is often awarded for sacrifices in the line of duty.
Medal of honor
Description
The Medal of Honor is the highest U.S. military decoration, awarded by the President in the name of Congress to service members who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty". Established in 1861 during the Civil War, this prestigious award recognizes extraordinary valor in combat.