Deep Meanings of Military Medals

September 17, 2009

Anyone who has been in the military forces or knows someone who has may know the deep meaning and significance of military medals and army ribbons. But to those who are not in the know with the way of the army, the importance of the honorary awards may not come so easily.

When men and women serve in the military, every move is noted, whether it be good or bad. There is nothing more rewarding than to receive a ribbon in honor of your hard work. Likewise, there is nothing more dishonoring than to receive bad marks in one’s file.

Depending on which award is received, the ceremony will take place in front of fellow soldiers, friends, commanders, Congress and sometimes even the President of the United States.

The medals themselves have been specially designed to fit the causes that the medal will be awarded for. Lots of thought and planning goes into the development of the award.

For example, a medal can be bronze, silver or gold and a ribbon can include stars or stripes and include a range of pre-approved colors. Each symbol has a different meaning and it is important to pick the ones that will represent the heroic acts be awarded.

These medals and ribbons are to be worn on one’s military uniform and is not allowed to be worn with any other casual outfit. These restrictions may be hard for a civilian to undertstand, but members of the United States military understand that strictness of responsibilities that come with receiving one of these amazing honors.

There are medals and ribbons that are awarded for bravery, self sacrifice, exemplary behavior and even for being taken prisoner. Some recognitions can even be awarded to those who died in battle.

Whatever the reasons may be for why one has merited one of the amazing honors, soldier wear their medals and ribbons with bursting pride, and rightfully so. It really does require amazing feats of skills to earn such an honor. One must really be the best of the best if he or she should happen to be rewarded with such an honor.

In the end, you can surely see why earning a military medal is seen as such an honor and why soldiers, no matter what aspect of the armed forces they partake in, would be distinguished and flattered to be chosen to receive one.

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US Army Medals Commemorate Acts of Heroism

April 15, 2009

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.

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Remembering the Past: Honoring the Sacrifices of Those Overlooked by Social and Gender Discrimination

April 14, 2009

Remembering the Past: Honoring the Sacrifices of Those Overlooked by Social and Gender Discrimination

World War II was one of the bloodiest conflicts in world history, and it took the entire strength of the nation for America to endure. To pay tribute to those who served, the United States government issued many medals commemorating the sacrifices endured. Due to racial and gender presumptions at the time, however, many contributions of blacks and women were ignored. As history continues to unfold, the past is being re-examined.

Many medals of America and World War II medals are being re-issued to commemorate those who have been forgotten.

No African American soldiers, for example, were issued the Medal of Honor during World War II. A study in 1993 by Shaw University concluded there was great racial disparity in those who were honored with medals during World War II. The university recommended 10 African Americans with exceptional service be given the Medal of Honor. Of those 10, seven were chosen for the award. President Clinton in 1997 bestowed the award on Vernon Baker, the only one of the seven still living. The other six had awards posthumously presented to their families as tributes to the sacrifice they gave their country.

Vernon was awarded for showing outstanding bravery and leadership in destroying enemy positions during his company’s attack in highly mountainous ranges.

Women who served in World War II, sometimes as pilots running non-military missions so the men could fight, are also being considered for medals of America and wwii medals posthumously as tributes to their bravery and service. Known as the WASPS, the Women Air Force Service Pilots piloted routine missions during World War II. Their service worked to lift the ban on women attending flight-training classes in the 1970s. Today, women pilots can fly combat missions as well as the Space Shuttle.

U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has introduced a bill to award the 1,102 WASPS or their surviving family members the Congressional Gold Medal. 38 died while performing their duty.

The more we recognize the forgotten, the more we give tribute to those who served, even if they didn’t have an equal access to the freedoms they so valiantly fought for. All military personnel need to be remembered for their service, whether they be black or Japanese-American, woman or man. Even if it’s a little late, it’s noble to offer honor and tribute to their sacrifice.

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