US Army Medals Commemorate Acts of Heroism
US Army Medals Commemorate Acts of Heroism
Like other branches of the military, the US Army recognizes that accomplishment needs to be appreciated in order to foster its growth. That’s why United States medals and US Army Medals are so important. They encourage great deeds in the military by recognizing excellence, motivating members of the Army to truly “be all that they can be.” Military medals are not presented to those servicemen who have done dishonorable actions in the past. A military award is bestowed for more than a single deed. United States medals and US Army medals represent an entire career of excellence, even if that career is best epitomized in the action of a single deed. Previous dishonorable service is not simply wiped away by a single otherwise heroic action. What is deemed “honorable” is based on honest service according to the standards of conduct, duty and courage required by the law and customs to which the serviceman must stride to achieve. The Medal of Honor is by far the highest award that can be bestowed on a serviceman. Traditionally, the medal is personally presented by the President of the United States. The medal is a gold star 1 3/8 inches wide, surrounded by a green wreath. The star has five points, each of which is topped with trefoils and suspended from a gold bar that bears the inscription “valor,” overcastted by an Eagle. “The United States of America” is displayed in the center of the star. Each ray of the star features a green oak leaf. The Army Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest honor the Army bestows on esteemed servicemen . The medal is awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with the enemy. Actions that merit the cross must be of such a high degree that they don’t fit the limits of other military medals but don’t quite meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor. It’s equivalent to the Navy Cross of the Navy and Marine Corps and the Air Force Cross. Heroism needs to be recognized in order to encourage bravery and valor in the field of battle. Defending this great nation can only be done through blood and great deeds. No medal can match the ultimate sacrifice of so many who have laid down their lives in the line of duty, but at least courage in the face of such sacrifice will be appreciated by the very country whose freedoms we protect.
Posts
November 9th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
What happened to the soldiers medal/ the valor requirement is the same as the medal of honor. army posts who have no living medal of honor holder; reconize the soldiers medal as the highest medal of valor on that post. The DSC is second to the soldiers medal in the valor requirement.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
the soldiers medal has the same valor requirements as the medal of honor. the valor requirement for the DSC is a second place finish to the soldiers medal. All army posts place the soldiers medal as the highest awarded for valor; if that post does not have a living medal of honor holder.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:30 pm
I am trying to find out what Medal PFC Nathaniel Quentin of the 28th Division was awarded for his part in the Battle of Hurtgen Forestduring WW2.