SOME OF THOSE WHO ENLISTED:
AMERICAN SERVICE (CAMPAIGN) MEDALS & BADGES

CIVIL WAR MEDAL (ARMY)
Established by the War Department on 11 Jan 1905, for those personnel who had served in the Union forces during the Civil War (between April 1861 and Apri 1865). The Army Civil War Medal displayed an engraved image of Abraham Lincoln.
 
 

CIVIL WAR MEDAL (NAVY)
Established by the War Department on 11 Jan 1905, for Navy personnel who had served during the Civil War, regardless of what side the veteran had served on (Union or Confederate). The Navy Civil War Medal depicted an ironclad battleship.
 
 

INDIAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
Established on 11 Jan 1905, and awarded for service against the American Indian tribes from 1865 to 1891, either for taking part in one or more of the 13 various campaigns or in any action against hostile Indians in which US troops were killed or wounded. The original ribbon was red with a thin, dark red stripe at each edge, and was changed to its present colors in 1917.
 

SPANISH CAMPAIGN MEDAL (NAVY)
Established in June 1908 and was initially awarded for service by Navy or Marine Corps in the Philippine Islands between May 1 and August 16, 1898. In 1913, the navy the criteria was extended to service on active duty in the Spanish-American War. The original ribbon was gold and red, but this was changed in 1913 upon request from Spain that a U.S. service medal not bear the colors of the Spanish nation.
 

MEXICAN SERVICE MEDAL (NAVY)
Awarded to personnel for service against Mexican forces between the dates of April 12 1911, and June 16 1919 in one or more of the 9 various campaigns, or who were killed or wounded in action against hostile Mexican forces between April 12 1911 and February 7 1917.. It was also issued to those who served aboard U.S. naval vessels patrolling Mexican waters, between April 21 1914 and November 26 1914, or between March 14 1916 and February 7 1917. The Navy Mexican Service Medal depicted a waterfront fortress.
 

VICTORY MEDAL WORLD WAR I
Established in 1919 and awarded to members of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps for service between April 1917 and November 1918 (Armistice Day), and to those in the American Expeditionary Forces between Armistice Day and either August 1919 in European Russia, or March 1920 in Siberia.
A bronze battle clasp was issued for each of the 14 major battles in which the person had taken part, and bronze service clasps for service in England, in France, in Italy, in Russia, and in Siberia.
One silver Citation Star was worn for each citation of valor - this was the forerunner of the Silver Star Medal introduced in 1932.
 

ARMY OF OCCUPATION OF GERMANY MEDAL WORLD WAR I
Awarded to members of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps with shore duties, for service with the Occupation Forces in Germany and Austria from 12 Nov 1918 to 11 Jul 1923. The original ribbon had a wavy border between the outer red and blue stripes but, because of the cost of producing it, the border was straightened.

YANGTZE SERVICE MEDAL (NAVY)
Established in April 1930 and awarded to the officers and enlisted men of the Navy and Marine Corps for service during the operations from 3 September 1926 to 21 October 1927 or from 1 March 1930 to 31 December 1932. It applied to service on shore at Shanghai or in the valley of the Yangtze River, China, with a landing force and to service by the the officers and enlisted men attached to specified vessels.
 

AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
Established by order of the President on 28 Jun 1941, for service in the US Armed Forces for one year between 08 Sep 1939 and Pear Harbour. This covers the 'Limited Emergency' proclaimed on 08 Sep 1939, and/or the 'Unlimited Emergency' proclaimed on 27 May 1941.
The Foreign Service Clasp may be worn to denote service overseas during this period.
 

VICTORY MEDAL WORLD WAR II
For service in the US Armed Forces between Pearl Harbour and the end of 1946.



 

AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
For service in the US Armed Forces within the American Theatre of Operations between Pearl Harbour and 2 March 1946.
One bronze service star may be worn for each campaign prior to 2 September 1945: Antisubmarine, Ground Combat and Air Combat.
 

ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL
For service in the US Armed Forces within the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations from Pearl Harbour to 2 March 1946.
A bronze service star was issued for each of the 21 major campaigns in which the person had taken part (the first starting with Pearl Harbour and the last ending on 2 September 1945).
 

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
For service in the US Armed Forces within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre from Pearl Harbour to 8 November 1945.
A bronze service star was issued for each of the 16 major campaigns in which the person had taken part (the first starting on 11 June 1942 and the last ending on 8 May 1945).
 

WOMEN'S ARMY CORPS SERVICE MEDAL
This medal was awarded to women for service in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps between 20 Jul 1942 to 31 Aug 1943 and/or in the Women's Army Corps between 01 Sep 1943 to 02 Sep 1945.

 

KOREAN SERVICE MEDAL
Awarded to members of the US Armed Forces for service in the Korean Theatre of Operations from 30 June 1949 to 27 July 1954.
A bronze service star was issued for each of the 10 major campaigns in which the person had taken part (the first starting on 27 June 1950 and the last ending on 27 July 1953).
 

ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL
Established by order of the President on 14 December 1961, for service in military operations for which no other service or campaign medal has been authorized. This includes service in Vietnam between 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965.

 

VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
Awarded to all members of the US Armed Forces serving in Vietnam, or providing direct support from Thailand, Laos or Cambodia, between 3 July 1965 and 28 March 1973. Individuals qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Vietnam Service may on request be awarded this Medal in lieu, but no person shall be entitled to both awards for Vietnam Service.
A bronze service star was issued for each of the 17 major campaigns in which the person had taken part (the first starting on 15 March 1962 and the last ending on 28 January 1973).
 

SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE MEDAL
Established on 13 March 1991, this is awarded to US Armed Forces personnel who served in the Persian Gulf area from 2 August 1990 to 30 November 1995.
Service stars were awarded for the 3 campaigns (Defense of Saudi Arabia, Liberation of Kuwait and Southwest Asia Cease-Fire).
 

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
Awarded to members of the Reserve Components for honorable active service in the Korean, Vietnam or Persian Gulf Wars. From 1961, anyone eligible for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal or the Southwest Asia Service Medal is also eligible for the National Defense Service Medal.
 

GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL
Established on 28 June 1941 for enlisted personnel who on or after 27 August 1940 had or shall have honorably completed three years of active federal military service, or who after Pearl Harbour have or shall have honorably served one year of federal military service while the United States is at war.
A metal clasp of bronze, silver, or gold indicates a second and subsequent award.