Distinguished medals of honor awarded to veterans
Veterans Day is Monday and is a day where we as Americans honor every veteran who has ever served in the United States Armed Forces.
Throughout Lavaca County as well as the state and across the nation, many communities hold very meaningful special ceremonies to honor the veterans.
Besides Veterans Day, we also honor the veterans, and more particularly, those who gave their lives serving this country on the last Monday in May, known as Memorial Day.
Whether it is Nov. 11, or Memorial Day, it is a time to respectfully bring recognition to those who have allowed this country to be a free nation.
Even though Veterans Day helps to recognize all veterans, whether they served in a combat zone or during peace time, there a large number who have been highly recognized by being awarded distinguished medals for valor in combat.
In looking at those particular medals, according to the website, valor.defense. gov, there are five medals listed as the highest honors awarded.
Each of the five medals are presented and based upon:
• While engaged in action against an enemy of the U.S;
• While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing force, or;
• While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded by the United States government. It is presented by the President of the United States, in the name of Congress and is conferred only upon members of the US Congress. Thus sometimes it is referred to as the “Congressional Medal of Honor”
It is conferred to only members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
There are three distinct versions with one awarded for the Army, one for the Air Force, and one for the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard.
The awarding of Medal of Honor recipients dates back to March 1863, during the Civil War era. All total 3,556 armed service members have been awarded a Medal of Honor.
Distinguished Service Cross
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army (and previously, the United States Army Air Forces). It is awarded for extraordinary heroism:
Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but do not merit award of the Medal of Honor.
The Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Navy Cross (Navy and Marine Corps, and Coast Guard when operating under the authority of the Department of the Navy) and the Air Force Cross (Air Force).
The first Distinguished Service Cross was awarded in March 1918 and there have been 13,462 service members to receive the award. During World War II over 5,000 were awarded.
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the second highest military decoration that may be awarded to a member of the United States Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, (and to members of the Coast Guard when operating under the authority of the Department of the Navy). It is awarded for extraordinary heroism.
Actions that merit the Navy Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but do not merit award of the Medal of Honor. The Navy Cross is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross (Army) and the Air Force Cross (Air Force).
There have been 6,300 naval service members awarded the Navy Cross with the first awarded in February 1919.
Air Force Cross
The Air Force Cross is the second highest military decoration that may be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. It is awarded for extraordinary heroism.
Actions that merit the Air Force Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but do not merit award of the Medal of Honor. The Air Force Cross is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross (Army) and the Navy Cross (Navy and Marine Corps, and Coast Guard when operating under the authority of the Department of the Navy).
There have been 203 Air Force Cross medals awarded with the first taking place in January 1964.
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action.
Actions that merit the Silver Star must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but do not merit award of the meet Medal of Honor or a Service Cross (Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross).
The Department of Defense estimates there have been between 100,000 to 150,000 Silver Star medals awarded. The first was awarded in August 1932.