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Category: Post-WW2 Medals

The Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal

The Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal is a U.S. campaign medal created to recognise military service in Operation Inherent Resolve.

The Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (IRCM) is a U.S. Department of Defense campaign medal created to recognise military service in Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led effort against the Islamic State extremist group in Iraq and Syria. It was established by Executive Order on 30 March 2016 during the Obama administration and is awarded retroactively to service beginning 15 June 2014.

Unlike awards for specific achievements, the IRCM is a service-based campaign medal, meaning it acknowledges participation in a defined military operation rather than an individual act of heroism. It is presented to members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard who meet eligibility criteria related to deployment in designated areas during the operation.

To qualify, a service member generally must have been assigned to a unit based in Iraq or Syria, have flown missions into these countries or their contiguous waters and airspace, or otherwise operated in the area for a specified period—typically 30 days (consecutive or non-consecutive). Those who are killed, wounded, medically evacuated, or engaged in combat before completing the time requirement also qualify immediately.

The award replaced the use of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for service in Iraq and Syria once it was instituted; personnel who previously earned that medal for qualifying service may petition to convert it to the IRCM instead, but a service member cannot receive both for the same period of service.

Today the medal remains an active award recognising U.S. military participation in one of the major post-9/11 operations and is often seen alongside campaign stars on its ribbon to denote participation in different phases of the conflict.

The Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal Design

The design and symbolism of the IRCM reflect aspects of the operational environment: an eagle and dagger denote strength and resolve, while regional artistic motifs and colours evoke the landscape where Operation Inherent Resolve was conducted.

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The Korean Service Medal

The Korean Service Medal (KSM) is a U.S. military service medal created during the Korean War to recognise American Armed Forces members.

The Korean Service Medal (KSM) is a United States military service medal created during the Korean War to recognise American Armed Forces members who served in the Korean theatre between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. It was established by Executive Order 10179 signed by President Harry S. Truman on 8 November 1950, with retroactive effect back to the start of the conflict.

The medal was awarded to service members who either served in Korea or its surrounding waters and airspace, or those who directly supported United Nations military operations during the Korean War. Eligibility generally required a period of service in the designated area or participation with a unit on permanent or temporary duty during the war.

Although active combat in Korea ended with the armistice in July 1953, the Korean Service Medal continued to be issued until mid-1954 because of ongoing occupation duties and the potential for renewed hostilities. It was not awarded for service after that date; later periods of service in Korea have been recognised by other medals such as the Korea Defense Service Medal.

The Korean Service Medal Design

The KSM is a bronze medallion about 1¼ inches in diameter. The obverse shows a Korean gateway encircled by the words “KOREAN SERVICE”, and the reverse bears the Korean taegeuk symbol from the South Korean flag with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and a wreath of oak and laurel.

The ribbon uses blue and white colours inspired by the United Nations flag, reflecting the UN’s role in the conflict.

To denote participation in specific phases of the campaign, service stars were worn on the ribbon, one for each of the officially recognised campaigns within the Korean War period. In some cases, additional devices such as an arrowhead were authorised to show involvement in assault landings.

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The Order of Mother Heroine

The Order of Mother Heroine was introduced in 1957 and awarded to mothers for bearing and raising large families.

The Order of Mother Heroine was awarded to Mongolian mothers for bearing and raising large families. There medal was given in two classes: 

  • 1st Class: For mothers with eight or more children.
  • 2nd Class: For mothers with five to eight children.

The Order of Mother Heroine Design

The medal is made of bronze gilt with red, white, light blue, and green enamels and measures 39.5 mm (w) x 46.5 mm (h). 

The 1st and 2nd Class medals share the same design: A Mongolian mother holding a child, over a light blue enamel background. The difference lies in the number at the bottom of the award (a “1” for 1st Class and a “2” for 2nd Class).

Mongolian People's Republic: Order of Mother Heroine

1st Class 

Mongolian People's Republic: Order of Mother Heroine

2nd Class 

The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal

The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal was established on May 20, 1976 by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Owen W. Siler.

The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal was established on May 20, 1976 by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Owen W. Siler, to recognize Coast Guard personnel who serve in the challenging and unforgiving Arctic region. The medal is awarded retroactively to service dating back to January 1, 1946 for qualifying Arctic duty. It remains a current award within the Coast Guard’s decorations.

The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal Criteria

This medal is awarded to any member of the United States Coast Guard who completes twenty‑one days of non‑consecutive duty north of the Arctic Circle—either afloat aboard Coast Guard vessels or ashore at designated locations—under competent orders.

Aircrew who fly missions into and out of Arctic areas may also qualify after accumulating twenty‑one qualifying days of service. Eligible duty includes time spent aboard cutters operating in polar waters or at remote stations such as those in Alaska, Greenland, Canada, and Norway. Civilians who support Coast Guard missions in the Arctic may be recommended for the medal as well.

The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal Design

The Coast Guard Arctic Service Medal features a bronze medallion that visually reflects its geographic focus. 

The obverse (front) has a polar bear depicted in profile under an eight‑point star (representing the North Star) with the words “ARCTIC SERVICE” above. The polar bear symbolizes the harsh Arctic environment and the cutter Bear, a historic vessel associated with polar operations. The reverse (back) shows the Coast Guard Shield, signifying the authority and service of the U.S. Coast Guard.

  • Ribbon: The accompanying service ribbon has a distinctive pattern representing Arctic service and is worn on the uniform when the full medal is not displayed.
  • Devices: Although no devices for multiple awards are standard, service stars may be authorized in some cases for subsequent qualifying service.

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The Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal

The Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal was created in 1963 as the reserve‑component equivalent of the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal.

The Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal was created in 1963 as the reserve‑component equivalent of the active‑duty Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal. It was established to recognize enlisted Coast Guard Reservists who perform their duties with consistent professionalism and good order over an extended period of service.

The Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal Criteria

The medal is awarded to enlisted members of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve who complete a standard tour of at least three years of satisfactory service in the Reserve without any disciplinary infractions. Service must be honorable and reflect high standards of conduct and duty performance.

Commissioned officers and warrant officers are not eligible to earn the medal, although they may wear it if they earned it previously while enlisted. Additional awards for subsequent qualifying periods are denoted by service stars worn on the ribbon.

The Coast Guard Reserve Good Conduct Medal Design

The reserve versions of the Good Conduct medals generally follow the pattern of the active‑duty versions but bear wording that reflects Reserve service.

For the Coast Guard Reserve version, the medal includes imagery associated with the Coast Guard (such as the service seal) and the inscription “United States Coast Guard Reserve.”

The ribbon has distinctive striping that differentiates it from other branches’ reserve good‑conduct ribbons. Subsequent awards are indicated by service stars on the ribbon.

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The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal

The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest awards in the U.S. military and has been adopted by each branch of the armed forces.

The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest awards in the U.S. military and has been adopted by each branch of the armed forces at different times. The U.S. Navy first introduced its version in 1869, followed by the Marine Corps in 1896, the Coast Guard in 1923, the Army in 1941, the Air Force in 1963, and, most recently, the Space Force in 2023.

The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was established in 1923 to recognize enlisted personnel for honorable, faithful, and exemplary service. It is one of the oldest Coast Guard-specific awards and reflects the service’s emphasis on discipline, professionalism, and dedication. Over the decades, it has honored countless Coast Guardsmen who have consistently demonstrated integrity and reliability in carrying out their duties.

The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal Criteria

The medal is awarded to enlisted members of the Coast Guard who demonstrate:

  • Exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity during a period of service.
  • A standard qualifying period of three continuous years of active service without any disciplinary actions, such as courts-martial or non-judicial punishments.
  • Shorter qualifying periods (often one year) may apply during wartime or national emergencies.
  • Additional awards are denoted by devices (typically bronze or silver stars) added to the ribbon for each subsequent period of qualifying service.

The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal Design

The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal’s design closely mirrors the Navy’s version but incorporates distinct Coast Guard symbolism. The obverse (front) features a Coast Guard cutter, often depicted with rope and chain edging, symbolizing the maritime mission of the service. The reverse (back) typically bears the inscription honoring faithful and exemplary service.

The medal visually represents the Coast Guard’s values of discipline, loyalty, and “Semper Paratus” (Always Ready) while celebrating sustained, honorable service by enlisted personnel.

  • Ribbon: Primarily red with white stripes, reflecting the traditional colors associated with long-standing honorable service.
  • Devices: Bronze or silver stars indicate subsequent awards for additional qualifying service periods.

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The Coast Guard Medal

The Coast Guard Medal is a distinguished U.S. military decoration awarded for heroism not involving direct conflict with an enemy.

The Coast Guard Medal is a distinguished U.S. military decoration awarded to members of the United States Coast Guard (and other Armed Forces personnel serving with the Coast Guard) for heroism not involving direct conflict with an enemy. It recognizes voluntary acts of outstanding bravery performed in the face of great personal danger, where the individual’s actions go far beyond what is normally expected.

Authorized by Congress on August 4, 1949, the medal was first presented in March 1958 for the heroic rescue of workers trapped in a tunnel beneath Lake Ontario. It ranks above the Bronze Star, and is considered equivalent to the Soldier’s Medal (Army), Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and Airman’s Medal in the other U.S. services.

Recipients of the Coast Guard Medal have included individuals whose voluntary acts of courage saved lives under extreme conditions, such as perilous sea rescues or other hazardous situations.

The Coast Guard Medal Design

Overall, the design combines maritime imagery with traditional U.S. military award symbolism, visually honoring exceptional leadership and service at the highest levels of responsibility.

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The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal

The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal (CGDSM) is one of the premier awards of the United States Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal (CGDSM) is one of the premier awards of the United States Coast Guard. It was established by Act of Congress on August 4, 1949 to recognize Coast Guard personnel for exceptionally meritorious service in roles of great responsibility.

Before its creation, Coast Guardsmen were eligible for the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. The first award was not issued until 1961, and the medal continues to be presented today. The award authority is the Secretary of Homeland Security.

The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Criteria

This medal is awarded to members of the Coast Guard who distinguish themselves through exceptionally meritorious service to the United States Government while performing duties of great responsibility.

The level of performance must be clearly above what is normally expected and have a significant impact on the success of a major command, operation, or project. Although typically bestowed upon senior leaders such as flag officers, it can be awarded to any service member—or even members of other U.S. uniformed services—who meets the eligibility standards while serving with or supporting the Coast Guard. 

The Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Design

The medal itself is a distinguished bronze decoration. On the obverse is a depiction of a sailing ship encircled by the inscription “U.S. Coast Guard Distinguished Service,” symbolizing the maritime heritage of the service. The accompanying ribbon features a field of blue with white and purple stripes, colors traditionally associated with high‑order service medals. Additional awards of the CGDSM are denoted by small gold stars worn on the ribbon.

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The Coast Guard Cross

The Coast Guard Cross is the United States Coast Guard’s second-highest military decoration, awarded for extraordinary heroism in combat.

The Coast Guard Cross is the United States Coast Guard’s second-highest military decoration, awarded for extraordinary heroism in combat while serving with the Coast Guard when it is not operating under the Department of the Navy. It was established by Act of Congress on October 15, 2010 and is intended to recognize acts of valor that are above and beyond what would merit lesser awards, but not at the level of the Medal of Honor.

Although it is approved and listed in Coast Guard awards regulations, the Coast Guard Cross has not yet been awarded to anyone, making it one of the rarest U.S. military decorations.

In the hierarchy of U.S. military awards, the Coast Guard Cross sits just below the Medal of Honor and is equivalent in stature to the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the Air and Space Forces Cross.

The Coast Guard Cross Medal Criteria

  • While participating in combat against an enemy of the United States.
  • While taking part in military operations involving hostilities with a foreign opposing force or an international terrorist organization.
  • While serving alongside allied foreign forces in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force, even if the United States itself is not a direct participant.

The Coast Guard Cross Medal Design

The design features a gold four-armed cross with maritime symbols—including anchors, crossed oars, and a central shield reminiscent of the U.S. Great Seal—suspended from a ribbon of navy blue with scarlet and ultramarine accents. The reverse bears the inscription “FOR VALOR.”

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The Order of Sukhbaatar

The Order of Sukhbaatar was formally introduced in September 1945 and is a major state order of Mongolia give for exceptional services.

The Order of Sukhbaatar (Сүхбаатарын одон) is a major state order of Mongolia, first established in May 1941 (with some sources citing its formal introduction in September 1945). It is named after Damdin Sükhbaatar, the Mongolian revolutionary hero who played a central role in the country’s struggle for independence in the early 20th century. The award is given to both Mongolian citizens and foreign nationals in recognition of exceptional services to Mongolia’s defense, economic and cultural development, and acts of heroism in protecting the nation against external and internal threats. It continues to be conferred today, and until 2005 it was the highest state order before being superseded by the Order of Chinggis Khaan. Recipients of the Order are accorded various civic privileges, including cultural and social benefits provided by the state.

The Order of Sukhbaatar Medal Design

The obverse (front) of the Order of Sukhbaatar is highly symbolic and visually rich, reflecting Mongolia’s revolutionary heritage and state identity. On the front, the medal is dominated by a large five-pointed star that serves as the primary shape of the Order. Between the star’s points are silver or enameled rays of varying lengths, often finished in blue enamel, which create a radiant, layered effect. At the center of the star is a circular medallion featuring a relief portrait (bust) of Damdin Sükhbaatar, traditionally rendered in a contrasting material such as platinum against an enamel background. The central scene is surrounded by a decorative wreath or border, and above the portrait is a revolutionary banner in red enamel bearing the Cyrillic inscription “СҮХБААТАР” (“Sukhbaatar”), symbolizing the award’s namesake and Mongolia’s revolutionary spirit. Below the portrait, a red enamel star often appears as an additional motif, reinforcing the order’s prestige.

The combination of colors (red, blue, and metallic tones), the star motif, and the portrait all emphasize the Order’s association with national pride, heroic service, and the legacy of Sukhbaatar himself.