What are the 3 highest military medals?

  • Medal of Honor.
  • Navy Cross.
  • Silver Star.


What are the military medals in order?

Order of Precedence
  • Army Distinguished Service Cross.
  • Navy Cross.
  • Air Force Cross.
  • Coast Guard Auxiliary Distinguished Service Ribbon.
  • Department of Defense Distinguished Service.
  • Army Distinguished Service.
  • Navy Distinguished Service.
  • Air Force Distinguished Service.


What are the highest medals in the US military?

The nation's highest military award for valor is the Medal of Honor, presented by the president in Congress' name. By law, only U.S. service members who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” can receive the medal.


What are the top 10 military medals?

Top 15 Military Medals / Awards Ranked & Explained
  • The Purple Heart.
  • The Bronze Star.
  • Medals For Non-Combat Heroism (By Military Branch)
  • Soldier's Medal.
  • Navy And Marine Corps Medal.
  • Airman's Medal.
  • Coast Guard Medal.
  • Distinguished Flying Cross.


What are the four highest military medals?

The five highest-ranking military medals for bravery in combat include the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), the Navy Cross, the Air Force Cross and the Silver Star Medal.


EVERY Military Award Explained (Ribbons and Medals)



What is the hardest Medal to get in the military?

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded by the United States government.
...
It is awarded for extraordinary heroism:
  • While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
  • While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or.


What is the rarest military Medal?

The Victoria Cross is the 'holy grail' for medal collectors because there are only 1,357 in existence. Bearing the inscription 'For valour' and known as a VC, this medal was first awarded for 'conspicuous bravery' in 1856 and later backdated to the Crimean war of 1854.

What Medal is higher than gold?

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest award for military valor. It is generally presented by the president in the name of Congress.


Is the Bronze Star higher than the Purple Heart?

The Purple Heart is ranked immediately behind the bronze star and ahead of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal in order of precedence.

What are the 3 medals given out?

There are three classes of medal to be won: gold, silver, and bronze, awarded to first, second, and third place, respectively.

Which branch gets the most medals?

The US Army has awarded 2,451 medals, the most of any branch of the military. Over half of the total amount of Army Medal of Honor recipients were awarded during the Civil War, with 1,522 recipients.


What is the 2nd highest military award?

The Distinguished Service Cross is our Nation's second highest award for military valor, behind only the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Cross was established in 1918 to honor heroism of the highest degree that did not quite merit the Medal of Honor.

Which is the highest military award?

The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India's highest military decoration, awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime. On 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day of India, the PVC was instituted as a Gallantry Medal with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947 by Dr.

What Medal do you get for saving a life?

"The Gold Lifesaving Medal or the Silver Lifesaving Medal may be awarded to any person who rescues or endeavors to rescue any other person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils of the water.


What Medal do you get for dying in combat?

The Purple Heart medal is presented to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military. A Purple Heart is a solemn distinction and means a service member has greatly sacrificed themselves, or paid the ultimate price, while in the line of duty.

Which is higher silver or bronze star?

[which] involved risk of life." The Silver Star drops the "risk of life" standard and instead cites "gallantry in action ... of a lesser degree than that required for the Distinguished Service Cross." The Bronze Star for valor calls for "heroism ... of a lesser degree than that required for the award of the Silver Star ...

Is Bronze Star a big deal?

A Bronze Star Medal is the fourth-highest ranking award that a service member can receive in the U.S. military. Recipients of this medal have performed a heroic and/or meritorious deed in armed conflict.


Does everyone get a Bronze Star?

1133). It is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after December 7, 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed ...

What does the V on a Bronze Star mean?

The Bronze Star Medal with the "V" device to denote heroism is the fourth highest military decoration for valor. Although a service member may be cited for heroism in combat and be awarded more than one Bronze Star authorizing the "V" device, only one "V" may be worn on each suspension and service ribbon of the medal.

What is the hardest Medal?

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded by the United States government. It is awarded for extraordinary heroism: While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or.


What is the highest Medal color?

For first place, gold is the standard. A gold medal shows that someone has far exceeded expectations and topped everyone else in their fields. This bright, lustrous color stands out without being too ostentatious. When someone earns a gold trophy or medal, they know they've done something right.

What is the highest award in USA?

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.

Is silver higher than gold in the military?

Gold is worth more than silver, but silver outranks gold. This is because the Army decreed in 1832 that infantry colonels would wear gold eagles on an epaulette of silver and all other colonels would wear silver eagles on gold. When majors and lieutenant colonels received the leaves, this tradition could not continue.


Who is the most decorated soldier of all time?

Audie Murphy (1924–1971) was the most decorated soldier in US history, winning 24 medals from the Congressional Medal of Honor down. His exploits were the subject of To Hell and Back (USA, 1956), in which he starred as himself.