Highest Ranking US Military Medals

Paul Camara of Brooklyn, Massachusetts is the president of Axion Specialty Contracting, where he manages clients, projects, and employees. At MA Army National Guard, Paul Camara served as a section chief. He received various military medals, including the Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Scroll of Appreciation.

Veterans who have demonstrated bravery, heroism, served in combat, and have achieved above and beyond the call of duty usually obtain the highest-ranking military medals. There are various categories of military awards. Some are strictly for officers, while others are only for enlisted members.

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the most prestigious military honor for valor. Moreover, it’s the special military medal authorized by the Congress for presentation by the president. To obtain this medal, service members must go above and beyond the call of duty while active in action against the United State’s enemy. This award falls into three versions, namely the US Army version, the Air Force version, and the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard version. In 1861, the original medal of honor for the US Navy came into being. While the US Army developed its Medal of Honor in the successive year. The Medal of Honor for the Air Force was later established in 1963.

Service Crosses are the subsequent highest military medal presented for valor. Similar to the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) has expanded into a medal for bravery to deserving service members from the US military branches. In 1918 the army first conferred this award on members who merited it. The Navy birthed its version in 1919; nonetheless, the first Navy cross was for distinguished service besides exceptional combat performance. Subsequently, the US Congress reappointed the Navy Cross for only valor in combat. These medals are peculiar to Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy only. Moreover, in 1960 the Air Force Cross was created for its branch of service.