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Meritorious Service Medal a. The Meritorious Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11448, 16 January 1969 as amended by Executive order 12312, 2 July 1981. b. The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or to any member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in a noncombat area after 16 January 1969, has distinguished himself or herself by outstanding meritorious achievement or service.

Bronze Star Medal a. The Bronze Star Medal was established by Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (superseded by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962). b. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. c. Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star. d. The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded for meritorious achievement or meritorious service according to the following: (1) Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction. (2) Award may be made by letter application to Commander, ARPERCEN, ATTN: DARP-VSE-A, 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63132-5200 (enclosing documentary evidence, if possible), to each member of the Armed Forces of the United States who after 6 December 1941, has been cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat against an armed enemy between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, inclusive, or whose meritorious achievement has been other wise confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947. For this purpose, an award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge is considered as a citation in orders. Documents executed since 4 August 1944 in connection with recommendations for the award of decorations of higher degree than the Bronze Star Medal will not be used as the basis for an award under this paragraph. (3) Upon letter application, award of the Bronze Star Medal may be made to eligible soldiers who participated in the Philippine Islands Campaign between 7 December 1941 to 10 May 1942. Performance of duty must have been on the island of Luzon or the Harbor Defenses in Corregidor and Bataan. Only soldiers who were awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (Presidential Unit Citation) may be awarded this decoration. Letter application should be sent to the Commander, ARPERCEN, ATTN: DARP-VSE-A, 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63132-5200.

Soldier's Medal a. The Soldier's Medal, section 3750, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 3750) was established by Act of Congress 2 July 1926. b. The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The same degree of heroism is required as for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life.

Distinguished Flying Cross a. The Distinguished Flying Cross, section 3749, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 3749), was established by Act of Congress 2 July 1926. b. The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself or herself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. The extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his or her comrades or from other persons in similar circumstances. Awards will be made only to recognize single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement and will not be made in recognition of sustained operational activities against an armed enemy.

Legion of Merit a. The Legion of Merit, section 1121, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 1121), was established by Act of Congress 20 July 1942. b. The Legion of Merit is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or a friendly foreign nation who has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. c. Criteria for members of the Armed Forces of the united States army as follows: (1) The performance must have been such as to merit recognition of key individuals for service rendered in a clearly exceptional manner. Performance of duties normal to the grade, branch, specialty, or assignment, and experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this award. (2) For service not related to actual war, the term "key individuals" applies to a narrower range of positions than in time of war and requires evidence of significant achievement. In peacetime, service should be in the nature of a special requirement or of an extremely difficult duty performed in an unprecedented and clearly exceptional manner. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of important positions. (3) Award will be made without reference to degree. d. Criteria for member of Armed Forces of foreign nations is in AR 672-7©.

Silver Star a. The Silver Star, section 3746, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 3746), was established by Act of Congress 9 July 1918 (amended by act of 25 July 1963). b. The Silver Star is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. c. It is awarded upon letter application to Commander, PERSCOM, ATTN: TAPC-PDA, Alexandria, VA 22332-0471, to those individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, received a citation for gallantry in action in World War I published in orders issued by a headquarters commanded by a general officer.

Distinguished Service Medal a. The Distinguished Service Medal, section 3743, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 3743), was established by Act of Congress 9 July 1918. b. The Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to any person who while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility. The performance must be such as to merit recognition for service which is clearly exceptional. Exceptional performance of normal duty will not alone justify an award of this decoration. c. For service not related to actual war, the term "duty of great responsibility" applies to a narrower range of positions than in time of war and requires evidence of conspicuously significant achievement. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of high positions of great importance. d. Awards may be made to persons other than members of the Armed Forces of the United States for wartime services only, and then only under exceptional circumstances with the express approval of the President in each case.

Distinguished Service Cross a. The Distinguished Service Cross, section 3742, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 3742), was established by Act of Congress 9 July 1918 (amended by act of 25 July 1963). b. The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to a person who while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguished himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor; while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing or foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her comrades.

The Medal of Honor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Medal of Honor is the highest medal awarded by the United States. It has only been awarded 3,428 times in the nation's history. Below is an excerpt of the Army regulation that describes the eligibility criteria for award of the Medal of Honor... a. The Medal of Honor [Army], section 3741, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 3741), was established by Joint Resolution of Congress, 12 July 1862 (amended by acts 9 July 1918 and 25 July 1963). b. The Medal of Honor is awarded by the President in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of the Army, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of the service will be exacted and each recommendation for the award of this decoration will be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.

UK soldier killed in Basra named Chris Hickey was described as the "epitome of a professional soldier" A British soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Basra on Tuesday has been named by the Ministry of Defence. Sergeant Christian Ian Hickey, 30, of the 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards, died from his injuries. The married soldier from Bradford, West Yorkshire, was on a routine patrol in the southern Iraqi city when the attack happened. His death brings the number of British troops killed in Iraq to 97 - 64 of them as a result of hostile activity. The Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards Battle Group, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Henderson, said Sgt Hickey had moved forward on foot to reconnoitre a route for the patrol when he was hit by the blast. He said it was typical of Sgt Hickey that he had been leading from the front when he was killed, and praised him as the "epitome of a professional soldier". UK Prime Minister Tony Blair sent his condolences to the soldier's family during Commons questions on Wednesday. Major Steven Melbourne, based in Basra, said: "A British soldier died from the injuries sustained from a roadside blast at 11.23pm local time last night. The incident is under investigation." The explosion happened on the eve of the start of former leader Saddam Hussein's trial. In another attack, a US soldier was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol near Iskandariyah, 50km (30 miles) south of Baghdad.

UK soldier killed by Basra bomb 97 UK soldiers have died in Iraq since military action began A British soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb in Basra, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. The soldier was on a routine patrol in the southern Iraqi city and died as a result of his injuries at about 2323 local time on Tuesday (2123 BST). He will not be named until his next of kin have been informed of his death, the MoD said. The death brings the number of British troops killed in Iraq to 97 - 64 of them as a result of hostile activity. Major Steven Melbourne, based in Basra, said: "A British soldier died from the injuries sustained from a roadside blast at 11.23 local time last night. "The incident is under investigation." The explosion happened on the eve of the start of former leader Saddam Hussein's trial. In another attack, a US soldier was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol near Iskandariyah, 50km (30 miles) south of Baghdad.

Death of a British Officer in Iraq - Captain Ken Masters Published Sunday 16th October 2005 It is with deep regret that the Ministry of Defence can confirm that the body of Captain Ken Masters was discovered in his accommodation in Waterloo Lines, Basra, Iraq on Saturday 15 October 2005. Captain Masters was Officer Commanding 61 Section, Special Investigation Branch, Royal Military Police. He had been responsible for the investigation of all in-theatre serious incidents plus investigations conducted by the General Police Duties element of the Theatre Investigation Group. Ken Masters was aged 40, married with two children and had served with the Royal Military Police since 1981. He was commissioned from the ranks in 2001 and served most of his career with the Special Investigation Branch. The Ministry of Defence asks the media to respect the privacy of Captain Master's family at this time.

A nice example of the GSM clasp Iraq

Cheers Guys, for all your replies. The US medals system is very complicated isn`t it. But thanks for taking the time to explain it all to me. G.

Spc. Michael J. Wendling, 20, of Mayville, Wis. Wednesday, September 28 2005 @ 08:13 AM EST Contributed by: tomw Milwaukee Journal Sentinel -- The news passed through the stands Monday evening at the Mayville High School JV football game - Michael Wendling, who played on the football, basketball and golf teams and joined the military while still a student, had been killed in Iraq. Among the words murmured by stunned people as the football game unfolded before them: explosion, Iraq, Humvee, Mayville. "In typical small-town fashion, it had drifted through the town," said Mayville High School Principal Lee Zarnott. "Unfortunately, bad news travels fast." Wendling, 20, a specialist, was killed Monday with Sgt. Andrew P. Wallace, 25, of Oshkosh when a roadside bomb exploded as they drove past it in Iraq. They were members of Fond du Lac-based Charlie Company of the Wisconsin National Guard 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment. Their deaths bring to 47 the number of Wisconsin service members killed in Iraq since March 2003. A high school friend of Wendling's, Spc. Jeremy Roskopf of Brownsville, suffered shrapnel wounds to his legs. Roskopf and Wendling signed up for the National Guard together while they were in high school. They played on the Mayville golf team, which won the conference championship their senior year. Wendling, who was on the dean's list at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee when his unit was activated, frequently kept in touch with his family via e-mail and talked about what it was like to drive the large, heavy Humvees in Kuwait and Iraq, said his father, Randy Wendling. "He said they don't go very fast, but he seemed pretty excited about what he was doing," Randy Wendling said in a phone interview Tuesday. The Appleton-based 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment was activated in June and trained at Camp Shelby, Miss. The unit moved to Kuwait in mid-August and has been based in northern Kuwait, providing security to convoys traveling from Kuwait into Iraq, said Wisconsin National Guard Lt. Col. Tim Donovan. Wendling's father said the roadside bomb hit his son's Humvee near Basra, in southern Iraq. Wendling was the driver, Roskopf was the gunner who stands in the middle of the vehicle and Wallace was the team leader, who normally sits in the front passenger seat. Randy Wendling said he saw his son shortly before the unit deployed overseas last month. He spent his home leave going to Brewers games, visiting with family and friends and golfing. His son was upbeat in his e-mails and enjoyed serving in the Wisconsin National Guard, the elder Wendling said. "He talked about where they were based and what it was like, what they were going to be doing, how hot it was there," said Randy Wendling. In his last e-mail, received a couple of days before he died, Wendling asked about a care package his family sent him that included bedsheets and beef jerky and told his folks that his company was very busy. Stu Strook coached Wendling in junior varsity football and golf and remembered a guy who wasn't the most talented athlete but someone who worked hard to improve himself. It was common to see Wendling hitting buckets of golf balls, even after matches, until dark. "I would call him a grinder. He worked hard. He had a good heart," said Strook. Wendling also liked to eat. He wasn't fat, so sometimes his teammates wondered where he put all the food. Strook recalled returning from a golf match one day when the team stopped at Burger King. Wendling ordered a Whopper Value Meal with fries and a drink. Nothing unusual about that, except that Wendling went back for four more Whoppers - quarter-pound burgers - and ate them all, to the astonishment of everyone watching him, Strook said. "Mike was a personality, I guess you would say. He had a great sense of humor. He was a kid who liked to have fun, and kids liked to be around Mike because he was so much fun," said Strook. Wendling had not declared a major at UWM, but his father said he was leaning toward getting a degree in the sciences. His high school marketing teacher, Rod McSorley, said he thought Wendling would have become an engineer. A couple of dozen marketing students from Mayville organized a trip to New York their senior year. The group took in the sights, visited Madison Square Garden and saw "The Lion King" on Broadway. A photo of the group taken on the Staten Island Ferry is pinned to a bulletin board in McSorley's office. McSorley said he was looking at the picture of Wendling and his classmates mugging for the camera as he talked to a reporter Tuesday about his former student. "When we visited New York, we visited ground zero, and that was important to him. He was close enough to 9-11 to embrace its importance," said McSorley. "He had very good family values. That wouldn't surprise me (that) he had the feeling of giving back." http://www.legacy.com/PE/Soldiers.asp?Page...rsonID=15240017

Sgt. Andrew P. Wallace, 25, of Oshkosh, Wis. Wednesday, September 28 2005 @ 08:17 AM EST Contributed by: tomw Oshkosh Northwestern -- An Oshkosh soldier killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom is being remembered for his love of family and country and for his dedication as a teacher and wrestling coach. Sgt. Andrew Wallace, 25, was killed by a roadside bomb, while he helped escort a convoy of supply trucks in Iraq, his father, Pete Wallace, said Tuesday. Wallace said his son joined the Army National Guard in part to help pay for college costs, but he also had a deep and lasting patriotism for his country. “He was proud to serve his country and he knew the risks that came with it,” said Wallace, who lives in the Dodge County community of Fox Lake. “Everything he did, he did with enthusiasm. He enjoyed sports with enthusiasm and he loved his country with enthusiasm.” He said his son was in good spirits when he last talked to him via cell phone about a week ago. “He called me at work,” Wallace said. “He preferred being out on the missions instead of being back in the base.” Wallace served with the Wisconsin Army National Guard 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment based in Appleton. Also killed by the roadside bomb in Shaibah, Iraq, was Spc. Michael Wendling, 20, of Mayville, who was driving the Humvee that he, Wallace and another soldier were riding in near Basra at the time of the explosion, Wendling’s father, Randy Wendling, said Tuesday. Wallace was the team leader who normally sits in the front passenger seat. The third soldier, who was injured, served as a gunner. Major Gen. Albert H. Wilkening of the Wisconsin National Guard said he has ordered flags of all Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities lowered to half-staff in memory of Wallace and Wendling. Wallace, a physical education teacher since 2003 who taught at Oshkosh North High School and Emmeline Cook Elementary School, was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in June. His father said Wallace was a member of the National Guard for about six years. Pete Wallace recalled the last time he saw his son, which was June 9 for a sendoff at Volk Field at Camp Douglas in western Wisconsin. He said family members gave him hugs, plenty of love and told him to stay safe before he departed. “He wanted to come home as a veteran,” Wallace said. Wallace’s father said funeral arrangements are pending. Overall, 46 Wisconsin military members have died during the war in Iraq and so have more than 1,900 U.S. troops nationwide. Local soldiers who died include Pfc. Brent Vroman of Omro, who was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and Army Reserve Capt. Benjamin Jansky of Oshkosh. Wallace’s death was a shock to those who knew him, including wrestlers at North, where he was an assistant wrestling coach. “He was there for us all of the time and whenever we had a problem we could go to him. He was easy going and fun to be around,” said senior Nick Wolff, a member of the North wrestling team. “He taught us to respect everybody no matter what happened to us.” Wallace was a 1998 graduate of Ripon High School where he played football, baseball and wrestled. His father said Wallace also was a WIAA football official and had been an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers. Lucas Seelow, a senior at North and a member of the wrestling team, said Wallace put a smile on the faces of wrestlers. “He liked the sport and enjoyed being out there with us,” Seelow said. “He was at school at 6:30 each morning to help anyone who wanted to lift weights and to give his support.” Gary Westerman, former head wrestling coach at North, said Wallace’s enthusiasm was contagious. “Andrew was the ultimate kid at heart. He was never in a bad mood and always smiling and had positive things to say,” said Westerman, who is a physical education teacher at a Kimberly Middle School. “He was an all-around great guy and a great friend.” Westerman said Wallace was proud to be in the military and often talked about it. He said Wallace and his wife had just purchased a house in Oshkosh. “He was real excited about that,” Westerman said. “He couldn’t wait to have me over.” Phil Marshall, principal at Emmeline Cook, said Wallace kept in contact with school staff via a Web site. “He would take pictures of all the missions he was on and would post them on the Web site so we could get a look at what was going on,” Marshall said. “He sent e-mails to staff updating what was happening in Iraq. It was really a comfort to us to have contact with him on a regular basis.” Marshall said Wallace was an extraordinary person. “He made an impact on everyone in school from students to staff and parents,” Marshall said. “He always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude. The lack of that energy has left a big hole here.” http://www.legacy.com/AZCENTRAL/Soldiers.a...rsonID=15235097

Many thanks for all your replies. Can anyone tell me about what medals this unit are awarded for service in Iraq? 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Brigade

Hi, Can anyone tell me, which medals the National Guard are issued for the current Iraq conflict? I`ve been told that they get the National Defence Medal, when they join up. Possibley the War on Global Terror Medal (exp) & and possibley the Iraq campaign medal, for service in Iraq, can anyone confirm this for me. Finally, if a National Guardsman, was to be killed in action he`d be entitled to the Purple Heart. I assume that the National guard is the US counterpart of the Britsh TA? Gordon.

Cheers guys, that is very interesting. Could you explain the "V", device you mentioned is this worn on the ribbon? Do you get letters after yuor name if you win a Broze or Silver Star?

Lovely piece whatever it is?

Yes its lovely isn`t it, the attention to detail, in these sovereigns is remarkable. This one of the reaons why, its such a pleasure to collect them!!!!!!

Cheers Dave, I think that just about answers my question, thank you very much!!!! But, how long does all that take & can you define meritous service for me? Who would put a foreign soldier forward for say a Bronze Star, would it be the commander on the ground? MrBean, you also posed an interesting question, given what Dave, says, your point seems to hint, that they are given out like sweets? How do you tell the difference between a BS, that has been awarded for bravery in battle, and one for meritous service, I`m confused?

What about the other awards such as the Bronze & Silver Star, whats the criteria for those? How is it that during the current conflict in Iraq, a vast number of British serviceman have come to be awarded American medals? Bronze Star Medal Major Adam Timothy Stephen CRAWFORD Royal Marines Lieutenant Colonel Jani MAROK Royal Marines Major Simon James BANTON The Staffordshire Regiment Corporal Thomas Edward BOND Royal Tank Regiment Major General John COOPER DSO MBE Late The King?s Own Scottish Borderers Lieutenant Colonel Neil Davidson FRASER Royal Corps of Signals Lieutenant Colonel Mark Andre HOLDEN The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Colonel Paul Richard Lorimer LANE Late Royal Regiment of Artillery Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee James MASON Royal Corps of Signals Major John Stuart McDONALD The Parachute Regiment Major John Christopher PEREZ MBE Royal Gibraltar Regiment Major Michael William SHERVINGTON The Parachute Regiment Colonel Mark Evan WARING OBE Late Royal Regiment of Artillery Captain Colin WHITWORTH The Royal Logistic Corps Lieutenant Colonel Peter Simon Paton WORSLEY Royal Regiment of Artillery Major John Charles Julian WRIGHT The Royal Anglian Regiment Who decides, who and for what these medals are awarded? I assume for such cases, that result in the death of America troops, that this type of thing would go unrewarded, as it draws attention to the fact that American soldiers are being killed, am I right? Are these awards given out as good will awards, to the likes of Liason Officers, etc? Or do you have to do something of genuine note? Are they given out like sweets? I feel that to a certain exstent, not to be little the British awards, but these seem to be given out more regularly than is true of 10 to 15 years ago. Especially in view of the current conflict in Iraq, which is is very unpopular in the UK as well as the US.

Theres a few for sale on the Liverpool Medal companys website, about ?595 each, if I remember correctly?

Hi, Can anyone tell me how a British serviceman, comes to be awarded an American gong? Bronze Star Medal Major Adam Timothy Stephen CRAWFORD Royal Marines Lieutenant Colonel Jani MAROK Royal Marines Major Simon James BANTON The Staffordshire Regiment Corporal Thomas Edward BOND Royal Tank Regiment Major General John COOPER DSO MBE Late The King?s Own Scottish Borderers Lieutenant Colonel Neil Davidson FRASER Royal Corps of Signals Lieutenant Colonel Mark Andre HOLDEN The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Colonel Paul Richard Lorimer LANE Late Royal Regiment of Artillery Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee James MASON Royal Corps of Signals Major John Stuart McDONALD The Parachute Regiment Major John Christopher PEREZ MBE Royal Gibraltar Regiment Major Michael William SHERVINGTON The Parachute Regiment Colonel Mark Evan WARING OBE Late Royal Regiment of Artillery Captain Colin WHITWORTH The Royal Logistic Corps Lieutenant Colonel Peter Simon Paton WORSLEY Royal Regiment of Artillery Major John Charles Julian WRIGHT The Royal Anglian Regiment