| I would like to know what types of duties you receive | | | | Medal of Honor. However, there are very few people |
| medals for. My students have also come up with | | | | who have ever gotten a second Medal of Honor, and |
| some questions. What is the highest ranking Medal you | | | | most of them were given out during the time period of |
| can get? Are there different types of Medals for each | | | | the Civil War to World War 1. No second award of the |
| branch of the military? For each task or assignment, | | | | Medal of Honor has been given since then. Usually, |
| would there be a different Medal of Honor? Do you | | | | once someone wins the MOH, they are pulled from |
| know any resources (books, magazines, websites) we | | | | the combat zone. |
| can use to further our research? | | | | The pyramid was instituted around the WWII time |
| The highest medal an American Military person can | | | | period, basically because it was felt that some acts of |
| get is the Medal of Honor. Some call it the | | | | valor were of a higher level than others, and vice |
| Congressional Medal of Honor, but the proper name is | | | | versa, so they needed a medal to recognize them. |
| just "Medal of Honor". I suggest you read some of the | | | | There is also the topic of Campaign Medals, awarded |
| citations for the Medal of Honor, you will be awed at | | | | for participation in a certain action or theatre of |
| what these men have done. | | | | operations. The WWII period produced 5 of these |
| There are different types of medals for each branch | | | | types of awards. |
| of the military, as well as the Coast Guard. This gets a | | | | 1. The American Defense Service Medal: basically |
| bit complicated at times. Think of the awarding of | | | | awarded to draftees and volunteers who served prior |
| medals like a pyramid: the highest, the Medal of Honor, | | | | to the attack on Pearl Harbor. |
| is at the top. Although each branch of the service has | | | | 2-4. American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, |
| a differently designed MOH, they are the same award. | | | | and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign |
| Next down is the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy | | | | Medals: Awarded for service in these theatres of war. |
| Cross/Air Force Cross. This is also a valor award. | | | | The American Campaign medal was for service in the |
| Following that is a whole slew of other medals | | | | area of the United States |
| awarded for "Meritorious performance of duty" that | | | | 5. World War 2 Victory Medal: awarded to any |
| don't necessarily involve combat. The next highest | | | | serving member of the military during the time period |
| valor award is the Silver Star followed by the Bronze | | | | of WWII. |
| Star (with 'V' means Valor, without 'V' means | | | | Finally, as to awards, most veterans of WWII came |
| meritorious service). Each branch then has its own | | | | home with at least 2 medals, usually more. Contrast |
| Commendation medals, the Army Commendation | | | | this to today military, who typically sport 13-15 medals |
| Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal, | | | | after a tour in the combat zone. |
| Coast Guard Commendation Medal, and the Air Force | | | | The medals/ribbons that a WWII Army veteran of the |
| Commendation Medal. These can also have a "V" | | | | European Campaign would typically have. Good |
| attached, for Valor in combat. Lastly, there are the | | | | Conduct Medal (awarded for staying out of trouble for |
| Achievement Medals, Army Achievement, Navy & | | | | 3 years, not a valor award), European Campaign |
| Marine Corps Achievement, Air Force Achievement, | | | | Medal, WWII Victory Medal. If the vet was an active |
| Coast Guard Achievement medals. They can also | | | | infantryman (most guys were not, it takes about 100 |
| have "V" affixed, denoting Valor. | | | | men to support the guy with the rifle in the foxhole), he |
| Notice how the pyramid works - the braver the act, | | | | may have a Bronze Star (every Infantryman in WWII |
| the higher the award. You don't have to get the others | | | | was issued a Bronze Star Medal in late 1944 for |
| to get the Medal of Honor. (Some countries do this, | | | | combat service). He would also have a Combat |
| most notably Germany during WWII; but suffice to say | | | | Infantryman Badge, which is a Kentucky flintlock rifle |
| a soldier had to earn each level of the pyramid before | | | | on a blue enamel background, surrounded by a wreath. |
| moving on to the next. The highest German medal, | | | | This signified the man had been in combat. Chances |
| somewhat equivalents to our Medal of Honor, was the | | | | are he may have a Purple Heart as well; this medal is |
| Knights Cross to the Iron Cross). | | | | awarded for wounds (or death) due to enemy action |
| For each task or assignment, there would be only 1 | | | | (you don't have to be in the Infantry to get it). |