The Bronze Star

Established by Executive Order 9419 on February 4, 1944, awarded to personnel of the US Armed Forces, who on or after 7 DEC 1941, distinguished themselves: "For Heroic or Meritorious Achievement of Service, not involving aerial flight, in connection with Operations Against an Opposing Armed Force." Bronze "V" device worn to denote Valor/Heroism. Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze. Designed by Bailey, Banks, and Biddle.

The Purple Heart

CRITERIA The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force who, while serving with the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded; In any action against an enemy of the United States; In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged; 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; As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces; As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force;  After 7 December 1941, by weapon fire while directly engaged in armed conflict, regardless of the fire causing the wound. While held as a prisoner of war or while being taken captive. A wound for which the award is made must have required treatment by a medical officer.

The Army Good Conduct Medal

One year service after 7 December 1941 while the United States is at war. The Good Conduct Medal  was established by Executive Order 8809, dated 28 June 1941, and authorized the award for soldiers completing three years active service after that date. The criteria was amended by Executive Order 9323, dated 31 March 1943, to authorize award for three years service after 7 December 1941 or one year service while the United States is at war. Executive Order 10444, dated 10 April 1953, revised the criteria to authorize award for three years service after 27 August 1940; one year service after 7 December 1941 while the United States is at war; and award for the first award for service after 27 June 1950 upon termination of service, for periods less than three years, but more than one year. The Good Conduct Medal is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal Military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each soldier who distinguishes himself from among his/her fellow soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service. Qualifying periods of service include each three years completed after 27 August 1940 or, for first award only, upon completion of at least one year upon termination of service if separated prior to three years. The immediate commander must approve the award and the award must be announced in permanent orders. The medal was designed by Mr. Joseph Kiselewski and approved by the Secretary of War on 30 October 1942. The eagle, with wings spread, denotes vigilance and superiority. The horizontal sword denotes loyalty, and the book represents knowledge acquired and ability gained. On the reverse, the lone star denotes merit. The wreath of laurel and oak leaves denotes reward and strength.

The American Defense Service Medal

Instituted: 1941 Dates: 1939-41 Criteria: Army: 12 months of active duty service during 1939-41; Naval Services: Any active duty service. Established by order of the President on 28 Jun 1941, for service in the US Armed Forces for one year during the 'Limited Emergency' proclaimed by the President on 08 Sep 1939, or during the 'Unlimited Emergency' proclaimed by the President on 27 May 1941. The one-year must have been between 08 Sep 1939 and 07 Dec 1941. The Foreign Service Clasp may be worn to denote service overseas during this period; a bronze service star on the service ribbon. Designed and Sculpted by Lee Lawrie

The American Campaign Medal

Instituted: 1942 Dates: 1941-46 Criteria: Service outside the U.S. in the American theater for 30 days, or within the continental U.S. for one year One bronze service star may be worn for each campaign: Antisubmarine -- 7 Dec 1941-2 Sep 1945 Ground Combat -- 7 Dec 1941-2 Sep 1945 Air Combat -- 7 Dec 1941-2 Sep 1945 Ribbon colors decoded: Background; blue represents the United States Center Grouping; red/white/blue represents the United States. Left and Right Groupings; black/white represents Germany, red/white represents Japan

The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

Awarded persons serving in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre of Operations in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States between December 7, 1941 until November 8,1945. One bronze service star may be worn for each campaign; One silver service star in lieu of five bronze. A bronze arrowhead is worn on the ribbon to indicate participation in a combat parachute jump, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing within the EAME Theater: Egypt-Libya -- 11 Jun 1942-12 Feb 1943 Air Offensive, Europe -- 4 Jul 1942-5 Jun 1944 Algeria-French Morocco -- 8-11 Nov 1942 Tunisia -- 17 Nov 1942-13 May 1943 Sicily -- 9 Jul-17 Aug 1943 Naples-Foggia -- 18 Aug 1943-21 Jan 1944 (Air); -- 9 Sep 1943-21 Jan 1944 (Ground) Anzio -- 22 Jan-24 May 1944 Rome-Arno -- 22 Jan-9 Sep 1944 Normandy -- 6 Jun-24 Jul 1944 Northern France -- 25 Jul-14 Sep 1944 Southern France -- 15 Aug-14 Sep 1944 Northern Apennines -- 10 Sep 1944-4 Apr 1945 Rhineland -- 15 Sep 1944-21 Mar 1945 Ardennes-Alsace -- 16 Dec 1944-25 Jan 1945 Central Europe -- 22 Mar-11 May 1945 Po Valley -- 5 Apr-8 May 1945 Ribbon colors decoded: Background; brown represents the sands of North Africa and the Middle East, green represents the forests and fields of Europe Center Grouping; red/white/blue represents the United States. Left Grouping; green/white/red represents Italy. Right Grouping; black/white represents Germany

The Combat Infantry Badge

Established by the War Department on 27 October 1943. Lieutenant General Lesley J. McNair, then the Army Ground Forces commanding general, was instrumental in its creation. He originally recommended that it be called the "fighter badge."  The CIB was designed to enhance morale and the prestige of the "Queen of Battle." Then Secretary of War Henry Stinson said, "It is high time we recognize in a personal way the skill and heroism of the American infantry."

The World War II Victory Medal

Created in 1945, this was awarded for service in the US Armed Forces at any time in the period between  7 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946.

The Honorable Service Lapel Pin

Honorable Service from 8 Sep 1939 through 31 Dec 1946. A gold color metal lapel button 7/16 inch in height and 5/8 inch in width, a dexter eagle with wings displayed perched within a ring which displays thirteen vertical stripes with a chief, the dexter wing of the eagle behind the ring, the sinister wing in front of the ring.