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The Medal of Freedom (1945)

The Medal of Freedom was a decoration established by President Harry S. Truman to honor civilians whose actions aided in the war efforts.

The Medal of Freedom was a decoration established by President Harry S. Truman to honor civilians whose actions aided in the war efforts of the United States and its allies.

The medal was intended to be awarded by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, or the Secretary of the Navy, but Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy also authorized awards.

The original Executive Order 9586 establishing the medal specified “No more than one Medal of Freedom shall be awarded to any one person, but for a subsequent act or service justifying such an award a suitable device may be awarded to be worn with the medal” and bronze, silver, and gold palm devices were produced and awarded.

The Medal of Freedom (1945) Design

The medal is a bronze disc whose obverse features the profile of the Statue of Freedom of the US Capitol Building, with the word “FREEDOM” in capital letters in an arc at the bottom of the disc.

The reverse features the Liberty Bell surrounded by the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” in capital letters. The medal is suspended on a red ribbon with four thin white stripes.

The Congressional Gold Medal

The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the Congress and one of the three highest civilian awards in the United States. 

Time Period: Pre-WW1, The Great War, Interwars, Second World War, Post-WW2
Institution: 1776
Country: United States
 

The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress and one of the three highest civilian awards in the United States. Alongside the Presidential Medal of Freedom, it’s the oldest and highest American civilian award.

The medal is awarded to persons “who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field long after the achievement.”

The tradition within the U.S. Congress of awarding gold medals as a form of recognition originated during the American Revolution, initially bestowed upon military personnel. Over time, this practice expanded to include individuals from various professions and, in the late 20th century, even groups. 

At the time of writing this, there have been 184 Congressional Gold Medals awarded.

How the Congressional Gold Medal is Awarded

There are no permanent statutory provisions for the creation of Congressional Gold Medals. When one has been deemed appropriate, Congress has, by legislative action, provided for the creation of a medal on an ad hoc basis.

Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. The medal was first awarded in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress to General George Washington.

Although the first recipients were military figures who participated in the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Mexican–American War, Congress broadened the scope of the medal to include actors, authors, entertainers, musicians, pioneers in aeronautics and space, explorers, lifesavers, notables in science and medicine, athletes, humanitarians, public servants, and foreign recipients.

The medal is normally awarded to persons, but in 1979 the American Red Cross became the first organization to be honored with a gold medal. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement.

Medal awarded to Charles A. Lindbergh in 1930
Medal awarded to Charles A. Lindbergh in 1930. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

The Congressional Gold Medal Design

A Congressional Gold Medal is designed by the United States Mint to commemorate the person and achievement for which the medal is awarded specifically. Medals are therefore different in appearance, and there is no standard design.

Congressional Gold Medals are considered non-portable, meaning that they are not meant to be worn on a uniform or other clothing but rather displayed. In rare instances, miniature versions have been made or converted for wear on clothing suspended from a ribbon.

Often, bronze versions of the medals are struck for sale by the U.S. Mint, and may be available in both larger and smaller sizes.

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The Royal Order of Sports Merit

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 18 June 1982
  • Country: Spain

The Royal Order of Sports Merit (or Real Orden del Mérito Deportivo) is a Spanish civil Order of Merit established 18 June 1982.

The order is indented to recognize distinguished service in sports, in teaching physical education, or the management, organization, promotion and development of physical education and sports. The order may be presented to individuals in one of four classes. It may also be presented to legal personalities, organizations, and other entities in one of three classes.

The Spanish Constitution of 1978 contains in article 43.3, a guiding principle in the conduct of public authorities to promote physical education and sport. The Royal Order of Sports Merit is a tool of this constitutional mandate to promote, advertise, and propagate physical culture and sports.

Individuals may be awarded the Royal Order of Sports Merit in one of four classes:

  • Grand Cross, awarded by Royal Decree in accordance with the Council of Ministers.
  • Gold Medal, awarded by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport, on the proposal of the President of the Sports Council.
  • Silver Medal, awarded by the President of the Sports Council.
  • Bronze Medal, awarded by the President of the Sports Council.

Groups and organizations may be awarded in one of three different classes:

  • Gold Plaque, awarded by Royal Decree in accordance with the Council of Ministers.
  • Silver Plaque, awarded by the President of the Sports Council.
  • Bronze Plaque, awarded by the President of the Sports Council.

The Western European Union Mission Service Medal

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 20 December 1994
  • Country: Spain

The Western European Union Mission Service Medal, is an international military decoration awarded to individuals, who served with Western European Union (WEU) military missions.

The WEU first acted in military operations in the context of the Iran–Iraq War. In 1987, mines were laid in the Persian Gulf, restricting the freedom of navigation in international waters. A joint mine sweeping effort was undertaken by member nations of the WEU.

The WEU next took part in military operations during the Yugoslav Wars in 1992. The WEU undertook Operation Sharp Fence starting in 1992, in tandem with NATO who was executing Operation Maritime Guard. WEU and NATO joined their operations together in a single command as Operation Sharp Guard in June 1993.

The Western European Union Mission Service Medal Design

The medal is circular, made of silver-colored oxidized metal, 36 mm in diameter.

The obverse of the medal displays the letters WEU arranged horizontally for “Western European Union”. Above the letter E is the letter U and below the letter O. UEO is the acronym for the French equivalent, Union de l’Europe Occidentale. Below the acronyms, arranged along the edge, are ten five pointed stars.

The reverse bears the Latin words in relief, PRO PACE UNUM, meaning “one for peace”, or idiomatically as “united for peace”.

The suspension ribbon of the medal is blue with a central stripe of yellow-gold. Worn on the ribbon are clasps naming the mission for which the medal is awarded. The service ribbon is the same as the suspension ribbon, utilizing miniature versions of the clasps.

The Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal

  • Time Period: Post-WW2
  • Institution: 1 January 2003
  • Country: Spain

The Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal (or European Security and Defence Policy Service Medal prior to 2009), is an international military decoration awarded to individuals, both military and civilian, who have served with CSDP missions.

Since the 1990s the European Union has taken a greater role in military missions both in Europe and abroad. These actions were taken under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), which is implemented by the European Union Military Staff, a department of the EU.

The The Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal Design

The medal is 36 mm in diameter, made of a silver colored metal. All versions share a common design.

The obverse of the medal is plain except for a circle of twelve five pointed stars around the outside edge of the medal. The reverse contains the Latin phrase, Pro Pace Unum, meaning “United for Peace”.

The words are arranged in three lines one word above the other in the center of the medal. The medal is suspended from a 36 mm ribbon in EU blue with either a wide gold center stripe for headquarters and combat forces, or a wide white stripe for planning and support. Each operation is identified with a different clasp with the name of the operation worn on the ribbon of the medal. A miniature version is worn on the ribbon bar, when medals are not worn.

To recognize service in these missions the EU authorized the creation of a medal with a common obverse and reverse, to which clasps featuring the missions’ name are attached to the ribbon bar.

The Air Force Medal (Spain)

The Air Force Medal (or Medalla Aérea) is the maximum military award of Spain in peacetime for the air force branch.

The regulation for the issue of this medal is modified by the Royal Decree 1040/2003, 1 August (BOD. Núm. 177).

The Air Force Medal Design

The medal is made of oxidized iron, oval, 42 millimeters (1.7 in) on its vertical axis and 28 millimeters (1.1 in) on its horizontal axis.

On the obverse, surrounded by a silver edge, is a rising sun behind the sea and a matron stands, representing Spain, offering, with the right hand, a laurel wreath and holding a sword with the left. At the top of the oval are the words: “Al mérito distinguido”.

On the reverse is the emblem of the Air Force. The ribbon is 30 millimeters (1.2 in) wide and divided in three parts: the central with the national colors (red and yellow) and at the sides blue. Each medal has a clasp attached to the ribbon with the legend of the action done in black.

The Navy Medal (Spain)

The Navy Medal (or Medalla Naval) is the highest peacetime military award issued by Spain’s navy.

The regulation for the issue of this medal is modified by the Royal Decree 1040/2003, 1 August (BOD. Núm. 177).

The Navy Medal Design

The medal is made of oxidized iron, oval and measures 42 millimeters (1.7 in) on its vertical axis and 28 millimeters (1.1 in) on its horizontal axis.

On the obverse, surrounded by a silver edge, is a rising sun behind the sea and a matron stands, representing Spain, offering, with the right hand, a laurel wreath and holding a sword with the left. At the top of the oval are the words: “Al mérito distinguido”.

On the reverse is the emblem of the Navy. The ribbon is 30 millimeters (1.2 in) wide and divided in three parts: the central with the national colors (red and yellow) and at the sides dark blue. Each medal has a clasp attached to the ribbon with the legend of the action done in black.

The Army Medal (Spain)

The Army Medal (or Medalla del Ejército) is the maximum military award of Spain in peacetime for the army branch.

The regulation for the issue of this medal is modified by the Royal Decree 1040/2003, 1 August (BOD. Núm. 177).

The Army Medal Design

The medal is made of oxidized iron, oval and measures 42 millimeters (1.7 in) on its vertical axis and 28 millimeters (1.1 in) on its horizontal axis.

On the obverse, surrounded by a silver edge, is a rising sun behind the sea and a matron stands, representing Spain, offering, with the right hand, a laurel wreath and holding a sword with the left. At the top of the oval are the words: “Al mérito distinguido”.

On the reverse is the emblem of the Army. The ribbon is 30 millimeters (1.2 in) wide and divided in three parts: the central with the national colors (red and yellow) and at the sides dark green. Each medal has a clasp attached to the ribbon with the legend of the action done in black.

The Military Medal (Spain)

The Military Medal (or Medalla Militar) is a high military award of Spain to recognize battlefield bravery.

The medal was established in 1918 by Alfonso XIII of Spain. Since then it is awarded to members of the Spanish military service independent of rank.

Among notable recipients are:

  • Emilio Mola
  • Adolf Galland (Condor Legion)
  • Mohamed Meziane
  • Werner Mölders (Condor Legion)
  • Walter Oesau (Condor Legion)
  • Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma (Condor Legion)
  • Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen (Condor Legion)
  • Philippe Pétain (Commander-in-Chief of French Forces)

The Military Medal Design

The order is worn, in all uniforms, in normal size and highlighted above all other decorations, except the Laureate Cross. Additional awards are denoted by golden clasps with relevant inscription.

The medal is struck in silvered bronze andmeasures 42mm.

The Medal for Internal Security

The Medal for internal security (or Médaille de la sécurité intérieure) is a French civil and military medal established on 28 March 2012.

The Medal for internal security (or Médaille de la sécurité intérieure) is a French civil and military medal established by Decree No. 2012-424 of 28 March 2012.

The Medal for internal security is awarded to by the Ministry of the Interior without regard to rank or position and is typically awarded on 1 January and 14 July. However, award may be made at other times for exceptional circumstances. Approved missions may have taken place in France or abroad.

Nominations for award of the medal are reviewed by a committee of eight members representing the Minister of the Interior, General Directorate of Local Authorities, General Directorate of National Police, General Directorate of National Gendarmerie, General Directorate for Internal Security, General Directorate of Civil Security and Crisis Management, and the General Secretariat of Immigration and Integration.

The following individuals are eligible for the medal:

  • Personnel under the Ministry of the Interior
  • Civilian and military personnel, professional or voluntary, placed under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior
  • The Municipal Police officers
  • Volunteers working in associations for homeland security missions
  • Any person, French or foreign, who has distinguished himself or herself by an act relating to internal security.