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 Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth version existing for acts of joint military service performed under the Department of Defense.
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Army awards units the Army MUC for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding achievement or service in combat or non-combat, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps award units the Navy MUC for valorous or meritorious achievement or service in combat or non-combat, and the U.S. Coast Guard awards units the Coast Guard MUC for valorous or meritorious achievement or service not involving combat.
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) is an award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense. In the order of precedence of the United States Armed Forces, it is worn between the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal. The medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces who, while serving in a joint activity, distinguish themselves by non-combat outstanding achievement or meritorious service, but not of a degree to warrant award of the Defense Superior Service Medal.
An oak leaf cluster is a ribbon device to denote subsequent decorations and awards consisting of a miniature bronze or silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem that is authorized by the United States Armed Forces as for a specific set of decorations and awards of the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, and Department of the Air Force.
A member of the armed forces mentioned in dispatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which his or her gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy is described.
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.
A 5⁄16 inch star is a miniature gold or silver 5⁄16-inch (7.9 mm) star that is authorized by the United States Armed Forces as a ribbon device to denote subsequent awards for specific decorations of the Department of the Navy, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A gold star indicates one additional award, while a silver star is worn in lieu of five gold stars.
A service star is a miniature bronze or silver five-pointed star 3⁄16 inch in diameter that is authorized to be worn by members of the seven uniformed services of the United States on medals and ribbons to denote an additional award or service period. The service star may also be referred to as a campaign star or battle star depending on which award is authorized the star and the manner in which the device is used for the award.
The Texas Medal of Valor, officially the Lone Star Medal of Valor, is the second highest military decoration that can be bestowed to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. It can also be bestowed to service members of the United States Armed Forces or other state militaries. Subsequent decorations are bestowed by a silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem device. A lapel button is also bestowed with this decoration.
The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, commonly referred to as the Texas Medal of Honor, is the highest military decoration that can be bestowed to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. It can also be bestowed to service members of the United States Armed Forces. Subsequent decorations are bestowed by a gold twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem device. A lapel button is also bestowed with this decoration.
The Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, also known as the Texas Distinguished Service Medal, is the fifth highest military decoration that can be bestowed to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent decorations are bestowed by a white enameled five-pointed star trimmed in gold device.
The Texas Outstanding Service Medal is the sixth highest military decoration that can be bestowed to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent decorations are denoted by a bronze or silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem device.
The Texas Medal of Merit, formerly known as the Texas Meritorious Service Medal, is the seventh highest military decoration that can be bestowed to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent decorations are denoted by a bronze or silver acorn device. A "V" device is awarded for an act or acts of courage.
The Adjutant General's Individual Award is the eighth highest military decoration that can be bestowed to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent decorations are bestowed by a white enameled five-pointed star trimmed in gold device.
The Texas State Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon is the ninth highest military decoration that may be issued to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent decorations are denoted by a bronze or silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem device.
The Texas Faithful Service Medal is the eleventh highest campaign/service award that may be issued to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent awards are denoted by a cactus device.
The Texas Governor's Unit Citation is the highest unit award of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent awards are issued by a bronze or silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem device.
The Texas State Guard Recruiting Ribbon is the eleventh highest military decoration that can be bestowed to a service member of the Texas Military Forces. Subsequent decorations are denoted by a bronze or silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem device.
