A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform. State decorations are orders, medals and other decorations granted by a sovereign state. ... This page describes uniform in the sense of clothing. ...

Civil decorations awarded to military personnel should not be considered military decorations, although some orders of chivalry have civil and military divisions. Decorations received by police and fire brigade personnel may sometimes be considered alongside military decorations, on which they may be modelled, although they are strictly not military awards. A civil decoration is a decoration awarded to civilians for distinguished service. ... An Order is a decoration, awarded by a government to an individual, usually for distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. ... Firefighter with an axe A firefighter, sometimes still called a fireman though women have increasingly joined firefighting units, is a person who is trained and equipped to put out fires, rescue people and in some areas provide emergency medical services. ...

Decorations have been known since ancient times. Celts and Romans wore a torc, Dayaks wore and still wear tattoos, etc. Necklaces and bracelets were given during the early Middle Ages, evolving into richly jewelled big necklaces, often with a pendant (commonly a medal) attached. A Celtic cross. ... Ancient Rome was a civilization that existed in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East between 753 BC and its downfall in AD 476. ... A torc, also spelled torque (from Latin torqueo, to twist, because of the twisted shape of the collar) is a rigid circular necklace that is open-ended at the front. ... The Dayak (La-kia) people (variant: Dyak) are indigenous occupants of the Kalimantan region of Borneo. ... This article is about the tattoo, a design in ink or some other pigment, usually decorative or symbolic, placed permanently under the skin. ... A necklace is an article of clothing or jewelry; which is worn around the neck. ... Sarmatian bracelets from the Hermitage Museum. ... A pendant (from Old French) is a hanging object, generally attached to a necklace or an earring. ... A Medal can mean three things: a wearable medal awarded by a government for services to a country (such as Armed force service); strictly speaking this only refers to a medal of coin-like appearance, but informally the word also refers to an Order (decoration); a table medal awarded by...

Today military decorations include:

• Orders of Chivalry;
• Bravery awards, in the form of a cross, star or medal on a ribbon;
• Distinguished service awards, in the form of a cross, star or medal on a ribbon;
• Campaign medals worn on a ribbon;
• Service medals worn on a ribbon;
• Awards for entire units.

On everyday occasions, only the ribbons are normally worn. An Order is a decoration, awarded by a government to an individual, usually for distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. ... A Campaign medal is a military decoration which is awarded to a member of the military who serves in a designated military operation or performs duty in a geographical theater. ... A service medal is a military award generally of the lowest degree. ... A ribbon is a thin band of flexible material, typically cloth but also plastic or sometimes metal, used primarily for binding and tying. ...

Some Famous Decorations

• Medal of Honor (USA)
• Victoria Cross (UK)
• Iron Cross (Germany)
• Order of St. George (Russia)
• Purple Heart (USA)
• Param Vir Chakra (India)
• Nishan-E-Haider (Pakistan)
• Bir Sreshtho (Bangladesh)
• Mannerheim Cross (Finland)
• Hero of the Russian Federation (Russia)

This article is about the military award; for the computer game, see Medal of Honor (computer game). ... Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (official post-nominal letters VC) is the highest award for valour that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces of any rank in any service and civilians under military command. ... The Iron Cross (German: Eisernes Kreuz) is a military decoration of Germany which was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia and first awarded on 10 March 1813. ... The Order of St. ... The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration awarded in the name of the President of the United States to those who are wounded or killed while serving in or with the U.S. military after April 5, 1917. ... The Param Vir Chakra is an Indian military decoration given for valour in combat operations. ... Nishan-E-Haider The Nishan-E-Haider is the highest award given by Pakistans military. ... The Bir Sreshtho (The Most Valiant Hero) is the highest military award of Bangladesh. ... The Mannerheim Cross of the Cross of Liberty (Mannerheim-risti / Mannerheimkorset) is a Finnish military decoration introduced after the Winter War and named after Marshal Mannerheim. ... Hero of the Russian Federation (Russian: ) is the highest title that can be bestowed by the Russian Federation on a citizen of Russia. ...

See also

• List of military decorations
• Civil decoration
• State decoration
• Order (decoration)
• British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
• Awards and decorations of the United States military
• Awards and decorations of the Soviet Union