Medal of the Month 1/98

Medals of the Month -- 1998

Medal of the Month -December 1998

Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal

The shipping Act of 1916 created the United States Merchant Marine Board, which built and purchased ships, and regulated shipping. In 1936, the Merchant Marine Act replaced the Shipping Board with the U.S. Maritime Commission. However, because members of the Merchant Marine were considered civilians, not members of the Armed Forces, they were not eligable for military decorations.

The outbreak of World War II brought the American Merchant Marine into direct combat with German submarine Wolf Packs, surface raiders and the Luftwaffe. The Merchant Marine lost over 800 ships to enemy action during World War II and over 6,800 Merchant Mariners were killed.

As a result of its combat experiences and increased role in supplying the war effort, numerous awards and service ribbons were developed specifically for members of the Merchant Marine.

The Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal (MMDSM) was established as the highest award for members of the Merchant Marine by Joint Resolution of Congress on 11 April 1943. During The Second World War the MMDSM was awarded 145 times, 30 awards were posthumous.

The MMDSM is awarded by the U. S. Maritime Administration.

Medal of the Month -November 1998
Army Achievement Medal
	Recommendations for the establishment of the Army Achievement Medal date back to 1975. However, it was not until 2 March 1981 that the Secretary of the Army approved the AAM. The spirit behind the establishment of the Army Achievement Medal was the general feeling among commanders that award criteria for the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious service medal placed them beyond the reach of most junior enlisted members (Staff Sergeants and below) and company grade officers. This was due, in large part, because these awards were aimed at a level of responsibility which they could not, by definition, achieve. The AAM follows the Army Commendation Medal in order of precedence. However, unlike the ARCOM, the AAM cannot be awarded in a combat zone. With an estimated 20 percent of all soldiers receiving the Army Achievement Medal every year, it has become the most visible symbol of the Army's Pyramid of Honor.

Medal of the Month -October 1998

Philippine Campaign Medal - Navy and Marine Corps

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The Philippine Campaign Medal for Navy and Marine Corps personnel was authorized on 27 June 1908. Award of the Philippine Campaign Medal was limited to Navy and Marine Corps personnel serving on 64 ships stationed in Philippine waters and four shore stations during specific periods between 4 February 1899 and 10 March 1906.

The original ribbon was red with a single wide center stripe of yellow. In 1913 this ribbon was changed to the same blue and red ribbon used on the Army medal.

Examples of the Navy issue medal exist with both unprefixed and "MNo." prefixed serial numbers. Marine Corps issue medals exist with only unprefixed numbers.

In all, approximately 4,300 Navy and 1,200 Marine Corps medals were issued.

Medal of the Month - September 1998

Battle of Manila Bay "Dewey" Medal

The Battle of Manila Bay Medal, known colloquially as the "Dewey Medal", was authorized by Congress in 1898 to commemorate Admiral Dewey's victory over the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay during the Spanish American War.

Until the adoption of Federally authorized campaign medals in 1908, the Dewey Medal remained one of only two service medals available to members of the US Navy--the other being the Sampson Medal, which was issued to commemorate a similiar victory over the Spanish fleet in the West Indies.

Original issues of the Dewey Medal are impressed on the rim with the reciepient's name and rank.

Medal of the Month - August 1998

World War II Victory Medal

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After watching the movie "Saving Private Ryan" I changed my point of view concerning this medal. It ceased being just one of the lesser expensive, more common medals available to collectors. Instead, it regained its significance as a symbol of the sacrifices of a generation of Americans.

The World War II Victory Medal was awarded by an Act of Congress dated July 6, 1945. All members of the armed forces who served at least one day of active federal service between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946 were eligible.

Despite its having been issued in the millions and the relative ease with which collectors can acquire it, the WW II Victory Medal is significant because it marks a turning point in American medallic history. It was the last "Victory" medal. The figure of Victory, which graced the fronts of both the WW I and WW II Victory medals was not used on the Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, or the Southwest Asia Service Meal. Perhaps the names of these last three medals support the perception that America is not in the business of winning wars anymore.

Medal of the Month -July 1998

Medal of Honor -- Army

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The Army design of the Medal of Honor was approved by President Abraham Lincoln on 12 July 1862. Originally intended to recognize "gallantry in action and other soldier-like qualities" among enlisted personnel, the law as amended by an Act of Congress on 3 March 1863 to include officers.

Over the years the requirements for award of the Medal of Honor have changed. As other awards were approved, they were always made inferior to the Medal of Honor. This resulted in the award criteria for the Medal of Honor being raised. Today, unquestionable proof of acts of heroism so unique and above and beyond the call of duty are required for the award.

Since its inception there have been 2,362 Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers of the U.S. Army.

In addition to the changing award criteria, the Army design of the Medal of Honor has undergone 6 design changes. Illustrated is a Type V medal, used from 1944 until 1964. This design is distinguished from the current style by the fact that the Cravat pad with the 13 stars is made by folding and stitching that portion of the neck ribbon, whereas the cravat pad on the Type VI medal is a separate piece attached to the neck ribbon.

Medal of the Month -June 1998

Navy Cross

The Navy Cross was instituted on 4 February 1919. The original wording of the act allowed for the award of the NC for "…acts of heroism or distinguished service…such heroism or distinguished service not being sufficient to justify a Medal of Honor or Distinguished Service Medal."

This wording made the Navy Cross subordinate to the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, which was authorized by the same Act of Congress. This created a awkward situation since the Navy DSM could not be awarded for combat heroism.

This situation was cleared up in 1942, when an Act of Congress restricted the NC to acts of combat bravery and elevated it to a position between the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross. Today the Navy Cross still ranks second in the Navy's Pyramid of Honor and remains the highest valor award that can be bestowed upon civilians serving with the Navy.

Medal of the Month - May 1998

Civil War Campaign Medal-Army

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The Civil War Campaign Medal was authorized on January 11, 1905. However, the final design was not approved until 1907. In that same year, G.O. 12 authorized the Civil War Campaign Medal (it was called a Badge in the original G.O.) for service between April 15, 1861 and April 9, 1865. Service in Texas qualified until August 20, 1866.

The original ribbon was a variation of the red, white and blue color scheme. This photograph illustrates the Army Civil War Campaign Medal with the second style ribbon which was authorized in 1913 to match the blue and gray style of the Navy Civil War Campaign Medal.

Initial issue of the Army Civil Wary Campaign medal to retired soldiers were serial numbered on the rim with "No.####." Later, the mint was ordered to produce additional medals for award to other veterans. These were serial numbered "M.No.####." A final mint run was made about 1930 and these medals were un-serial numbered.

Medal of the Month -April 1998

Joint Service Achievement Medal

The Joint Service Achievement Medal was authorized in Department of Defense Directive 1348.28 dated 29 March 1984.

The JSAM was established to recognize the achievements of junior officers and enlisted personnel serving on a specified joint activity.

The Joint Service Achievement Medal cannot be awarded in a combat zone and eligibility excludes general officers.

The initial production of 1,000 of the JSAM was distributed with a special reverse. The reverse included, in raised lettering, the words "For Presentation Only." These were intended to be used in presentation ceremonies and not permanently given to the awardees.

Medal of the Month -March 1998

China Service Medal - Navy & USMC

The China Service Medal was initially authorized by Navy Dept. Gen. Orders No. 135 on 23 August 1940. The period of eligibility covered under this first authorization was from 7 July 1937 to 7 September 1939. Personnel who served ashore in China or who were attached to any of the vessels which operated in support of operations in China during that time frame were eligible

A second period of eligibility was later authorized covering the period from 2 September 1945 until 1 April 1957. However, the area of eligibility for this second period covered duty in China, Taiwan and the Matsu Straits.

The China Service Medal was the last United States Service medal to be struck with a branch-specific reverse design. Members of the Navy, Coast Guard and Army who were awarded the medal received it with the Navy reverse. Members of the Marine Corps received the medal with the Marine Corps reverse.

Initial strikes of the medal featured a ring suspension. However, those produced after 1945 were struck with a knob suspension (as illustrated). In addition, a very limited number of medals were serial numbered. The serial numbers found on early ring suspension China Service Medals are smaller than those used on earlier Navy and Marine Corps Campaign medals.

Medal of the Month - February 1998

Air Force Achievement Medal

The Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) is the only United States military award which has a silver planchet. The AFAM was established by the Secretary of the Air Force on 12 October 1980 to recognize the achievements of junior officers and enlisted personnel. Award of the AFAM is restricted to personnel in the rank of Major and below.

Designed by Captain Robert Bonn, the Air Force Achievement medal was the first Air Force award that was not based on the design of an already existing Army decoration.

Additional awards of the AFAM are denoted by the addition of a bronze oak leaf to the suspension ribbon and the ribbon bar.

Medal of the Month -- January 1998

Army Commendation Medal

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The Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) is perhaps one of the most frequently seen decorations in the military today.

The ARCOM was established on 18 December 1945 as the Army Commendation Ribbon. The award was intended to recognize junior officers and enlisted personnel for acts of achievement or meritorious service.

The metal planchet was added to the ribbon in 1948 and the name was officially changed to the Army Commendation Medal in 1960.

Award of the ARCOM is restricted to the rank of Colonel and below because, by definition, the duties and responsibilities of general officers would place their achievements beyond the scope of the award criteria for the Army Commendation medal.