The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military award which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For actions where such performance was in direct contact with an enemy force, the Valor device is authorized as an attachment to the decoration. Awards and decorations of the United States military are military decorations which recognize a service members service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces. ... The Valor device, also known as V-device, V device, and Combat V, is an award of the United States military which is authorized by the military services as an attachment to certain awards and decorations. ...

Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth version existing for acts of joint military service performed under the Department of Defense. Service Commendation Medals File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The armed forces of the United States of America consist of the United States Army United States Navy United States Air Force United States Marine Corps United States Coast Guard Note: The United States Coast Guard has both military and law enforcement functions. ... The United States Department of Defense, abbreviated DoD or DOD and sometimes called the Defense Department, is a civilian Cabinet organization of the United States government. ...

The Commendation Medal is awarded by local commanders, allowing for a broad interpertation of the criteria for which the medal may be awarded. For instance, in the U.S. Navy and United States Marines, the Commendation Medal is considered a somewhat high decoration reserved for Department level officers, senior CPOs, and as a retirement award. In contrast, the U.S. Army typically authorizes the Commendation Medal for junior officers and enlisted personnel as an end-of-tour award. Jump to: navigation, search The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is the second smallest of the five branches of the United States armed forces, with 170,000 active and 40,000 reserve Marines as of 2002. ...

The Commendation Medal was originally a ribbon, and was first issued by the Navy and U.S. Coast Guard in 1943. An Army Commendation Ribbon followed in 1945 and, in 1949, the Navy, Coast Guard, and Army Commendation ribbons were renamed as the "Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendant". By 1960, the Commendation Ribbons had been authorized as full medals, and were subsequently referred to as Commendation Medals. Coast Guard shield The United States Coast Guard is the coast guard of the United States. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1943 is a common year starting on Friday. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1945 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1949 is a common year starting on Saturday. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1960 was a leap year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...

For additional awards of the Commendation Medal, the Army issues oak leaf clusters and the Navy and Coast Guard furnish gold and silver award stars. The Operational Distinguishing Device is authorized to the Coast Guard Commendation Medal upon approval of the awarding authority. Bronze and Silver oak leaf clusters An Oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on military awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. ... Gold and Silver Award Stars An Award star is a decoration issued by the United States military to denote multiple military awards issued to personnel of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and United States Marines. ... Jump to: navigation, search Coast Guard Unit Commendation with Award star and Operational Distinguishing Device The Operational Distinguishing Device is a decoration of the United States Coast Guard which is awarded to certain units as an attachment to a unit award (such as the Coast Guard Unit Commendation and Meritorious...

The U.S. Air Force began issuing its own Commendation Medal in 1958 with additional awards denoted by oak leaf clusters. It was not until 1996 that the "V" device was authorized on the Air Force Commendation Medal. Prior to that time, there was not a Valor distinction in effect for the Air Force Commendation Medal. Seal of the Air Force. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1958 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1996 is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ...

The U.S. Marines have always been issued the Navy Commendation Medal and there is not a separate Commendation Medal intended only for Marines. This lack of difference was recognized in 1994 when Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton changed the name of the Navy Commendation Medal to the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. United States Marine Corps Emblem The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is the second smallest of the five branches of the United States armed forces, with 170,000 active and 40,000 reserve Marines as of 2002. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... Flag of the United States Secretary of the Navy. ...

The last of the Commendation Medals is the Joint Service Commendation Medal which was created in 1963. This award is intended for senior service on a joint military staff and is generally considered to be a somewhat high ranking decoration. As such, it is worn above the service Commendation Medals on a military uniform. Jump to: navigation, search 1963 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The military services also issue an Achievement Medal which is a lesser decoration intended for junior officers and enlisted personnel. The Achievement Medal is the lowest of the United States military’s non-combat meritorious service medals. ...