Hi all, it might be a long shot, but I'm curious—does each branch of the military have its own specific awards, or are they all the same across the branches? And what's the official website to check these awards? Thanks in advance for your help.
Yes, each branch of the U.S. Military has some unique awards and decorations, though numerous others are awarded across all branches. Here's a brief overview:
- U.S. Army: Some awards specific to the Army include the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Superior Unit Award, and the Army of Occupation Medal.
- U.S. Navy: Navy-specific awards include the Navy Cross, Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Battle "E" Ribbon.
- U.S. Air Force: The Air Force has awards such as the Air Force Cross, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Air Force Combat Readiness Medal.
- U.S. Marine Corps: Some unique Marine Corps awards include the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon.
- U.S. Coast Guard: The Coast Guard has unique awards like the Coast Guard Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and the Coast Guard Letter of Commendation Ribbon.
There are also multiple awards that are common across all branches, such as the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart, to name a few.
You can find more details, including the criteria for awarding each medal, on the official Department of Defense (DOD) website. Their manual, titled "Military Decorations and Awards", provides a comprehensive list of all awards and decorations for each branch. Please note that the awards system can change over time, so it's always a good idea to verify any information from credible sources or directly from the military service branch in question.
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