Military Awards and Decorations

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UNITED STATES MILITARY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS​

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The United States military has a diverse system of awards and decorations for both individuals and units. Many of these awards are service ribbons for deployments or outstanding performance, while others are specific awards for outstanding and heroic acts of bravery in the face of danger. Many decorations are specific to a branch of the military, while others are awards that can be bestowed upon any member of the United States Armed Forces. All recipients are listed as of January 1, 1995.​

 

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	MEDAL OF HONOR​	​

The Medal of Honor is the most senior military decoration, and highest honor, that the United States government can award to an individual of the United States Armed Forces. The award is normally presented by the President of the United States, but in the name of Congress. Receiving the award comes with a number of benefits for the recipient as well as his or her family. The medal is awarded for "gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty."​

Rank, Branch, Year Received​	Recipients​	Acts of Valor​
Major, U.S. Army, 1998​	Robert Edmund Lee​	Heroically sacrificed his life to directly save thousands of innocent Americans​ ​

 

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Army Distinguished Service Cross​	Navy Cross​	Air Force Cross​	Coast Guard Cross​
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The services crosses of the four branches of the United States Armed Forces are the second highest award for valor in combat for each branch respectively. They are awarded for "extraordinary heroism in combat" to individuals.​

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Silver Star​	Bronze Star​
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The Silver Star is the third most senior award of the United States Armed Forces for acts of valor. It is awarded for "singular acts of valor or heroism over a brief period, such as one or two days of a battle."
The Bronze Star, which is the next in seniority, is awarded for "for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone."​

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Purple Heart​

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The Purple Heart is awarded to service members who are wounded or killed while in the line of duty.​

 

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		Deployment Ribbons​
Operation Nightingale​	​	​	​	​

Deployment ribbons are awarded to entire units, or the crews of vessels in the case of the Navy and Coast Guard, for military deployments overseas.​