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The Achievement Medal – Army

The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the Armed Forces for the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel

The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal. Award authority rests with local commanders, granting a broad discretion of when and for what action the Achievement Medal may be awarded.

Each military service issues its own version of the Achievement Medal, with a fifth version authorized by the U.S. Department of Defense for joint military activity.

The Achievement Medal Eligibility

Eligibility criteria for the Achievement Medal – Army (AM-Army) typically include:

  1. Service: Recipients must be serving in the United States Army, including active duty, reserve, and National Guard components.

  2. Meritorious Service: The medal is awarded for meritorious service or achievement, which may include performance of duties at a level above what is normally expected, completion of a special project or assignment, or significant contributions to the mission of the Army.

  3. Non-Combat Role: The Achievement Medal is typically awarded for achievements or contributions in non-combat roles. It is not awarded for acts of valor or combat-related actions, which would be recognized by higher awards such as the Bronze Star Medal or the Silver Star Medal.

  4. Recommendation: Nominations for the Achievement Medal are usually submitted by the individual’s chain of command, with justification for the award based on specific accomplishments and contributions to the Army’s mission.

  5. Approval: The final approval for the award of the Achievement Medal is typically granted by the individual’s commanding officer or higher authority within the chain of command.

The Achievement Medal Design

The following devices may be authorized to be worn on the following achievement medals suspension ribbon and service ribbon:

  • All Achievement Medals, “C” device, which signifies meritorious performance “under combat conditions”, after January 2016
  • Army Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Air Force Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
  • Joint Service Achievement Medal (all service branches), for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Operational Distinguishing Device (“O” device)
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Combat Distinguishing Device (Combat “V”)

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The Achievement Medal – Navy and Marine Corps

The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the Armed Forces for the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel

The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal. Award authority rests with local commanders, granting a broad discretion of when and for what action the Achievement Medal may be awarded.

Each military service issues its own version of the Achievement Medal, with a fifth version authorized by the U.S. Department of Defense for joint military activity.

The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM), is the United States Navy and U.S. Marine Corps’ version of the Achievement Medal. The U.S. Navy was the first branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to award such a medal, doing so in 1961, when it was dubbed the “Secretary of the Navy Commendation for Achievement Medal”. This title was shortened in 1967 to simply, the “Navy Achievement Medal”. On 19 August 1994, to recognize those of the United States Marine Corps who had received the Navy Achievement Medal, the name of the decoration was officially changed to the “Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal”. The award is referred to in shorthand speech as a “NAM”.

The Achievement Medal Design

The following devices may be authorized to be worn on the following achievement medals suspension ribbon and service ribbon:

  • All Achievement Medals, “C” device, which signifies meritorious performance “under combat conditions”, after January 2016
  • Army Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Air Force Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
  • Joint Service Achievement Medal (all service branches), for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Operational Distinguishing Device (“O” device)
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Combat Distinguishing Device (Combat “V”)

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The Achievement Medal – Coast Guard

The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the  Armed Forces for the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel

The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal. Award authority rests with local commanders, granting a broad discretion of when and for what action the Achievement Medal may be awarded.

Each military service issues its own version of the Achievement Medal, with a fifth version authorized by the U.S. Department of Defense for joint military activity. The United States Coast Guard created its own Achievement Medal in 1967.

The Achievement Medal Design

The following devices may be authorized to be worn on the following achievement medals suspension ribbon and service ribbon:

  • All Achievement Medals, “C” device, which signifies meritorious performance “under combat conditions”, after January 2016
  • Army Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Air Force Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
  • Joint Service Achievement Medal (all service branches), for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Operational Distinguishing Device (“O” device)
  • Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Combat Distinguishing Device (Combat “V”)

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The Order of the Indian Empire

The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is a British order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1878.

The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1878. The motto of the Order is Imperatricis auspiciis, (Latin for “Under the auspices of the Empress“), a reference to Queen Victoria, the first Empress of India. The Order is the junior British order of chivalry associated with the British Indian Empire; the senior one is The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India.

The British founded the Order in 1878 to reward British and native officials who served in India. The Order originally had only one class (Companion), but expanded to comprise two classes in 1887. On 15 February 1887, the Order of the Indian Empire formally became “The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire” and was divided into two classes: Knights Commander and Companions, with the following first Knights Commander.

The British Sovereign serves as the Sovereign of the Order. The Grand Master held the next-most senior rank; the position was held, ex officio, by the Viceroy of India. Members of the first class were known as “Knights Grand Commanders” rather than “Knights Grand Cross” so as not to offend the non-Christian Indians appointed to the Order.

No appointments have been made since 1947, the year that India and Pakistan became independent from the British Raj. With the death of the last surviving knight, the Maharaja of Dhrangadhra, the order became dormant in 2010.

The Order of the Indian Empire Design

Members of the Order wore elaborate costumes on important ceremonial occasions:

  • The mantle, worn only by Knights Grand Commanders, comprised dark blue satin lined with white silk. On the left side was a representation of the star (see photo at right).
  • The collar, also worn only by Knights Grand Commanders, was made of gold. It was composed of alternating golden elephants, Indian roses and peacocks.

At less important occasions, simpler insignia were used:

  • The star, worn only by Knights Grand Commanders and Knights Commanders, had ten points, including rays of gold and silver for Knights Grand Commanders, and of plain silver for Knights Commanders. In the center was an image of Victoria surrounded by a dark blue ring with the motto and surmounted by a crown.
  • The badge was worn by Knights Grand Commanders on a dark blue riband, or sash, passing from the right shoulder to the left hip, and by Knights Commanders and Companions from a dark blue ribbon around the neck. It included a five-petaled crown-surmounted red flower, with the image of Victoria surrounded by a dark blue ring with the motto at the center.

The insignia of most other British chivalry orders incorporates a cross: the Order of the Indian Empire does not in deference to India’s non-Christian tradition.

The Order of Beneficence (Greece)

The Order of Beneficence (or Τάγμα της Ευποιΐας in Greek), is an order of Greece established in 1948 as a moral reward for women especially, Greek and foreign, for the good services they have rendered to the Fatherland in the field of charity as well as for their performance in the arts and letters.

The medal is conferred by the Greek government and has five classes:

  • Grand Cross – wears the badge on a sash from the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
  • Grand Commander – wears the badge on a bow, plus the star on the left chest;
  • Commander – wears the badge on a bow;
  • Gold Cross – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
  • Silver Cross – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

The Order of Beneficence Design

The badge of the Order is a five tipped blue-enameled flower, in silver for the Silver Cross class, in gold for the higher classes.

The overall design is clearly derived from the then-recently abolished British Order of the Indian Empire. The obverse central disc bears a portrait of the Holy Virgin with the Divine Child in Her arms with the legend “ΕΥΠΟΙΙΑ” («Beneficence») on a white enamel ring. The reverse side bears the emblem of the Hellenic Republic.

The star of the Order is a silver eight-pointed star with straight rays, with the same central disc as the obverse of the badge, while the reverse side also bears the emblem of the Hellenic Republic. The ribbon of the Order is orange with blue edges.

The Order of Honor (Greece)

The Order of Honor (or Τάγμα της Τιμής in Greek) is an order of Greece, second in rank to the Order of the Redeemer, and was established in 1975 to replace the abolished Royal Order of George I.

The medal is conferred by the Greek government upon “Greek citizens who are distinguished in struggles for the Fatherland, to senior executives of the public administration, to eminent personalities of the arts and letters as well as to distinguished scientists or individuals who excelled in the field of trade, shipping and industry. It is also conferred upon foreigners who, due to their distinguished position and through their personal worth, have contributed to the promotion of Greece“.

As all Greek orders, the Order of Honor has five classes:

  • Grand Cross (Μεγαλόσταυρος)
  • Grand Commander (Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης)
  • Commander (Ταξιάρχης)
  • Gold Cross (Χρυσός Σταυρός)
  • Silver Cross (Αργυρός Σταυρός)

The Order of Honor Design

The badge of the order is a blue-enamelled cross, in silver for the Silver Cross class, in gold for the higher classes. The Silver and Gold Crosses have a diameter of 37 mm, while the senior grades have a diameter of 57 mm. A competition followed for the design of the new decoration, won by Konstantinos Kontopanos. His design was finalised in the Presidential Decree 849 of 11 November 1975.

The obverse central disc bears a portrait of the goddess Athena and the legend Ο ΑΓΑΘΟΣ ΜΟΝΟΣ ΤΙΜΗΤΕΟΣ (“Only the righteous should be honoured”) on a white enamel band. The reverse bears a simplified national emblem of Greece in the form of a white Greek cross on blue, and on a circular band the legend ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ (“Hellenic Republic”) and the year of the order’s founding (1975).

The star of the order is a silver eight-pointed star with straight rays, with the entire badge in the centre. The reverse bears the Greek national emblem in white enamel and the legend ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ 1975 in gold letters. The ribbon of the Order is blue with orange edges. The first four grades have a ribbon of 35 mm, with 3 mm-wide edges, while the shash of the Grand Cross is 100 mm wide, with edges 8 mm wide.

The Medal of Military Merit (Greece)

The Medal of Military Merit (Μετάλλιο Στρατιωτικής Αξίας) is a military decoration of Greece created in 1916 for wartime meritorious service.

  • Time Period: WW1
  • Year of Institution: 28 February 1917
  • Country: Greece

The Medal of Military Merit (or Μετάλλιο Στρατιωτικής Αξίας in Greek) is a military decoration of Greece, originally created in 1916 for wartime meritorious service. After World War II the medal became a peace-time medal reserved for officers. After the abolition of the Greek monarchy in 1974, its design was slightly altered.

The medal was created as the Military Medal (Στρατιωτικόν Μετάλλιον) by the National Defence Government on 28 October 1916, during the National Schism, and was adopted as the Medal of Military Merit nationwide by Royal Decree on 30 June 1917.

The Medal of Military Merit Design

The medal was designed by the French sculptor André Rivaud (who also designed the 1916 War Cross) and is similar to its current version, a copper cross pattée concave with the arms filled, enclosed in a laurel wreath and with two crossed short swords superimposed.

The cross’s arms bear the legend ΑΜΥΝΕΣΘΑΙ ΠΕΡΙ ΠΑΤΡΗΣ (“Defending the fatherland”, a quote of Hector from the Iliad). The 1916 version had a phoenix rising from its ashes in the center, while the post-1974 version substitutes the national emblem of Greece. The 1916 version bore the legend ΕΛΛΑΣ 1916–1917 (“Greece 1916–1917”) on the reverse (although some medals omit the date or the inscription altogether), while the current version bears the legend ΓΙΑ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΙΚΗ ΑΞΙΑ (“For Military Merit”).

The 1916 version was suspended by a yellow ribbon with two black stripes, while the current version’s ribbon has three equal blue-white-blue stripes, edged with yellow. When worn as a ribbon bar, the circular wreaths were substituted by branches.

Originally the medal had four classes, with the third, second and first classes distinguished respectively by a bronze, silver and gilded laurel wreath on the ribbon, while the fourth class was plain.

The War Cross (Greece)

The War Cross (or Πολεμικός Σταυρός) is a military decoration of Greece, awarded for heroism in wartime to both Greeks and foreign allies.

  • Time Period: WW1
  • Year of Institution: 28 February 1917
  • Country: Greece

The War Cross (or Πολεμικός Σταυρός in Greek) is a military decoration of Greece, awarded for heroism in wartime to both Greeks and foreign allies.

There have been three versions of the cross, the 1917 version covering World War I (established by the Venizelist “National Defence” Government on 28 February 1917, and confirmed by Royal Decree on 31 October), the 1940 version covering the Second World War and the Greek Civil War, and the 1974 version covering peacekeeping missions in the subsequent years.

Its creation was inspired by the French Croix de guerre, and it was awarded to military personnel of all branches for acts of valor in the Macedonian Front (1916–1918), the Allied Expedition to the Ukraine (1919) and the Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922 (rarely after 1920 due to its Venizelist connotations). In addition, from 1919, the first class could be awarded to the war flags of distinguished regiments.

When Greece found itself at war again in October 1940 after the Italian invasion, the staunchly royalist dictatorial government chose an entirely different design instead of simply re-establishing the old version. The new medal was instituted by Royal Decree on 11 November 1940 and continued to be awarded throughout the Second World War. It was re-authorised on 19 April 1947 for the Greek Civil War (1946–1949) and extended until 1953, covering the Greek participation in the Korean War.

In 1974, during the last months of the Greek military junta and following the abolition of the monarchy in June 1973, the junta issued Law 376/74 on military medals, which revised the until then current regulations. It specified that the War Cross would have three classes, with the 1st class was reserved for senior officers and war flags, the 2nd class for mid-level officers and the 3rd class for junior and warrant officers, NCOs and privates.

The War Cross Design

The War Cross medal was designed by the French sculptor André Rivaud and struck in silver.

1917 Version

The obverse features a vertical sword on a circular wreath, with a horizontal plaque, bearing the ancient Spartan motto “Η ΤΑΝ Η ΕΠΙ ΤΑΣ” (“[return home] either with your shield, or upon it”) underneath. The reverse bears the inscription “ΕΛΛΑΣ” (“Greece”) and underneath the dates “1916–1917”.

The ribbon was black, edged with blue, and 35–37 mm wide. The cross was awarded in three classes, distinguished by the devices born on the ribbon: the 3rd class being plain, the 2nd class bearing a bronze five-pointed star, and the 1st class a bronze palm leaf. Subsequent awards were designated by the addition of silver five-pointed stars on the ribbon.

1940 Version

The medal’s design is also a modification of the French Croix de guerre, featuring in the obverse a bronze cross pattée with the royal monogram (two crossed gammas and a crown) of King George II, atop two crossed swords, and topped by a royal crown. The reverse bears the date “1940”.

The ribbon features three equal alternating bands of red, blue and red. The cross was awarded in three classes, distinguished by the colour of the crown: bronze for the 3rd class, silver for the 2nd, and gold for the 1st class. Several variations exist because many manufacturers were used, some in Greece and others in the United Kingdom, with minor variations in the style of the crown and the cross, as well as design of the obverse side (in some versions, the date lies within a circle).

1974 Version

The medal was not officially redesigned at the time. In 1985, a provisional version was cut. It retained the same basic design as the 1940 version, but without the royal cypher, which was replaced by an oak wreath, and the crowns, which were replaced by bronze, silver and gold versions of the national emblem of Greece for the 3rd, 2nd and 1st classes respectively. The reverse bore the legend “ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ” (“Hellenic Republic”). Four medals of the 1st class were issued to war flags of units participating in UN peacekeeping missions.

The design was finalized in Presidential Decree 159 of 17 March 2003. It retains the basic design of the 1940 and 1985 crosses, but the national emblem has been moved to the center of the cross, in bronze, silver and gold versions for the 3rd, 2nd and 1st classes respectively.

The Order of Saints Olga and Sophia

  • Time Period: Pre-WW1
  • Year of Institution: January 1936
  • Country: Greece

The Royal Family Order of Saints Olga and Sophia (or Βασιλικόν Οἰκογενειακόν Τάγμα Ἁγίων Ὂλγας καὶ Σοφίας, Vasilikon Oikogeneiakon Tagma Agion Olgas kai Sofias) was an order of the Greek royal family reserved for women.

It was the third highest hohor of the modern Greek state and the Crown after the Order of the Redeemer and the male-only Order of Saints George and Constantine. It was instituted in January 1936 by King George II in the memory of his grandmother (Queen Olga) and his mother (Queen Sophia).

The order was abolished in 1973 by the Greek state and today is awarded only by the head of the former Greek royal family, at the monarch’s pleasure for personal services of women to the Crown.

The Order of Saints Olga and Sophia Design

The Order is awarded on the following Grades:

  • Dame 1st Class or Grand Cross
  • Dame 2nd Class
  • Dame 3rd Class
  • Dame 4th Class
  • Grand Cross (‘Μεγαλόσταυρος’) – wears the badge of the Order on a collar or on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order on the left chest;
  • Grand Commander (‘Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης’) – wears the badge and the star of the Order on the left chest;
  • Commander (‘Ταξιάρχης’) – wears the badge of the Order on a necklet;
  • Gold Cross (‘Χρυσούς Σταυρός’) – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
  • Silver Cross (‘Αργυρούς Σταυρός’) – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

The Order of Saints George and Constantine

The Royal Family Order of Saints George and Constantine is an order of the Greek royal family established in January 1936 by King George II.

  • Time Period: Pre-WW1
  • Year of Institution: January 1936
  • Country: Greece

The Royal Family Order of Saints George and Constantine (or Βασιλικόν Οἰκογενειακόν Τάγμα Ἁγίων Γεωργίου καὶ Κωνσταντίνου, Vasilikon Oikogeneiakon Tagma Agion Georgiou kai Konstantinou) is an order of the Greek royal family.

or the duration of its existence, it has been the second highest decoration awarded by the modern Greek state and the Greek crown, after the Order of the Redeemer. It was instituted in January 1936 by King George II in the memory of his grandfather (King George I) and his father (King Constantine I).

The order is awarded only to men, while the corresponding Order of Saints Olga and Sophia is reserved for women.

The Order of Saints George and Constantine Design

The order’s design was influenced by the royal family’s Danish origin, evoking the appearance of the Order of the Dannebrog. The order is not awarded since 1975 by the Greek state after the abolition of monarchy and today is awarded only by the Greek Royal Family.

The Order has five classes:

  • Grand Cross (‘Μεγαλόσταυρος’) – wears the badge of the Order on a collar or on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order on the left chest;
  • Grand Commander (‘Ανώτερος Ταξιάρχης’) – wears the badge and the star of the Order on the left chest;
  • Commander (‘Ταξιάρχης’) – wears the badge of the Order on a necklet;
  • Gold Cross (‘Χρυσούς Σταυρός’) – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
  • Silver Cross (‘Αργυρούς Σταυρός’) – wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.