Commendation Medal

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Commendation Medal
Image:Commendation.jpg Five different versions of the Commendation Medal are awarded: one for Joint Service, Air Force, Army, Navy & Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard
Awarded by United States Department of Defense
Type	Medal
Eligibility	Military personnel only
Awarded for	"distinguishing oneself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service."
Status	Currently Awarded
Statistics
Established	18 December 1945
Precedence
Next (higher)	Air Medal
Next (lower)	Achievement Medals

The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military award which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star Medal, the Valor device ("V" device) may be authorized as an attachment to the decoration. 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 Commendation Medal was originally a ribbon, and was first issued by the Navy and U.S. Coast Guard in 1943. An Army Commendation Ribbon followed in 1945, and in 1949, the Navy, Coast Guard, and Army Commendation ribbons were renamed the "Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendant." By 1960, the Commendation Ribbons had been authorized as full medals and were subsequently referred to as Commendation Medals.

For additional awards of the Commendation Medal, the Army issues oak leaf clusters while the Navy and Coast Guard furnish gold and silver award stars. The Operational Distinguishing Device is authorized for the Coast Guard Commendation Medal upon approval of the awarding authority.

The Commendation Medal is awarded by local commanders, requiring the signature of an Officer in the grade of O-6, allowing for a broad interpretation of the criteria for which the medal may be awarded. For instance, in the U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps, the Commendation Medal is considered a somewhat-high decoration reserved for Department level officers, senior CPOs, and as a retirement award. In contrast, the U.S. Army typically authorizes the Commendation Medal for junior officers and enlisted personnel as an end-of-tour award.

The U.S. Air Force began issuing its own Commendation Medal in 1958 with additional awards denoted by oak leaf clusters. It was not until 1996 that the "V" device was authorized on the Air Force Commendation Medal. Prior to that time, there was not a Valor distinction in effect for the Air Force Commendation Medal.

U.S. Marines have always been issued the Navy Commendation Medal and there is not a separate Commendation Medal intended only for Marines. This lack of difference was recognized in 1994 when Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton changed the name of the Navy Commendation Medal to the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

The last of the Commendation Medals is the Joint Service Commendation Medal which was created in 1963. This award is intended for senior service on a joint military staff and is generally considered to be a somewhat-high ranking decoration. As such, it is worn above the service Commendation Medals on a military uniform.

Each of the military services also issue an Achievement Medal which is a lesser decoration.

See also

• Awards and decorations of the United States military

Wikipedia information about Commendation Medal This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Commendation Medal". It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer). Help contribute to Americola and edit this article.