The Bronze Star Medal is a United States decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.
The Silver Star Medal is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
The Navy Cross is the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps' second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is equivalent to the Army's Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Force and Space Force's Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross.
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was created in 1942 and is awarded for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
The Air Force Cross (AFC) is the United States Air Force and United States Space Force's second highest military decoration for airmen and guardians who distinguish themselves extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is awarded to any person, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force or Space Force, who distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism, not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor.
The Valorous Unit Award (VUA) is the second highest United States military unit decoration which may be bestowed upon a military unit after the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). The VUA is awarded by the United States Army to units of the United States Armed Forces or cobelligerent nations which display extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States on or after 3 August 1963. The unit degree of heroism required is considered the equivalent of the individual degree of heroism required for the Silver Star which is awarded for gallantry in action.
A "V" device is a metal 1⁄4-inch (6.4 mm) capital letter "V" with serifs which, when worn on certain decorations awarded by the United States Armed Forces, distinguishes an award for heroism or valor in combat instead of for meritorious service or achievement.
The orders and decorations conferred upon civilians and military personnel in the Republic of the Philippines are listed by order of precedence. Philippine civilian orders and decorations are conferred by the President of the Philippines in his or her capacity as head of state. In certain instances, the conferment of certain orders and decorations requires the concurrence of the Congress of the Philippines, or of certain advisory bodies.
The United States Armed Forces authorizes certain medal and ribbon devices that may be worn if authorized on a defined set of United States military decorations and awards. The devices vary between 3⁄16 inch to 13⁄32 inch in size and are usually attached to suspension and service ribbons of medals and to unit award ribbons. The devices are usually made of brass or metal alloys that appear gold, silver, or bronze in color with either a dull or polished look. The devices may denote additional awards of the same decoration or award, an award for valor or meritorious combat service, participation in a particular campaign, periods of honorable service, specific events, and other special meanings. These are sometimes referred to as award devices, but are most commonly referred to in service regulations and Department of Defense instructions simply as "devices" for awards and decorations.
The Medal of Valor is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' highest military honor awarded for a conspicuous deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty that distinguishes the recipient from his comrades. It is defined in the Philippine Army Awards and Decorations reference material FC 1–0062, itself adapted from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Awards and Decorations Handbook, Second Edition published in 1997, as an award for "heroism in combat" and is foremost in the order of precedence of awards and decorations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
This Silver Wing Medal is a military decoration awarded by Armed Forces of the Philippines to Philippine and allied military personnel. The Silver Wing Medal is awarded in only one class, and may be awarded by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; the Commanding General, PAR Area Command; and Major Service Commanders. The award is given for "meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight and a single act of merit or for participation in sustained operations activities against the enemy while in an aerial flight."
Awards and decorations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The Gold Cross is a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines which recognizes gallantry in action. It is the fourth highest military award of the Philippines. It is awarded by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or other senior commanders, to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for gallantry in action not warranting the award of the Distinguished Conduct Star.
The Distinguished Conduct Star is the second highest military award of the Philippines, preceded in precedence only by the Medal of Valor. The award was established in 1939, by President Manuel L. Quezon. With its establishment the award replaced the Philippine Constabulary Distinguished Conduct Star.
The Polish Army Medal was established by Poland on 3 September 1999 to recognize service to the Polish Army by foreign civilians and military personnel. The medal is presented in three grades Gold, Silver, and Bronze by the Polish Minister of National Defence. Most awards are presented to members of allied armed forces, but the medal is also awarded to civilians who contribute to promoting the history and traditions of the Polish Army outside of Poland.
The Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic was established on 16 December 1996. The military decoration is presented in three classes, and was the highest award bestowed by the Minister of Defence until October 2008.
The Distinguished Aviation Cross is a military decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It is presented for heroism or achievement during aerial operations.
The Bronze Cross Medal is a single grade military decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines which is awarded for "heroism involving risk of life" under conditions not warranting the award of the Gold Cross Medal. It may be awarded for: 1) voluntary action in the face of great danger above and beyond the call of duty; or 2) other deeds evidenced by extraordinary bravery not involving direct combat with the enemy.
The Distinguished Gallantry Cross was instituted by the State President of the Republic of Bophuthatswana in 1982, for award to all ranks for hair-raising deeds of distinguished heroism.
The Distinguished Navy Cross is a decoration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which recognizes distinguished heroism. The heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action in the face of great danger above and beyond the call of duty while participating in naval operations. The result must be so exceptional and outstanding as to set the recipient apart from his comrades. It is awarded by the Chief of Staff of the AFP, or Unified Command and Major Service Commanders to AFP military personnel who are serving in any capacity with the Philippine Navy or with the naval component of the Major Services.
