Awards of the American military

Awards of the American military were decorations used by the United States armed forces throughout the existence of the United States of America. The greatest number of awards was seen during the 20th century when the United States was involved in no less than four major wars.

American military personnel were issued military decorations in the form of badges, medals, and ribbons. Awards were displayed on most American military uniforms in the form of ribbon rows (three per row) worn on the left breast with any authorized badges worn directly above the ribbons. Camouflage uniforms did not display award ribbons, but could be worn with "subdued" badges to match the camouflage. 

Aviator Badge
The Aviator Badge was awarded to those members of the United States Army Air Corps (and later the U.S. Air Force) who were qualified as pilots. In 1947, Lieutenant General Rex Denning was a Command Aviator entitled to the Aviator Badge. The decoration was also held by John Christopher in 1969. 

Flight Officer Badge
The Flight Officer Badge was awarded to those members of the United States Navy who were qualified as co-pilots or naval flight officers. In 1986, Commander Rogerson was a qualified Naval Flight Officer. 

Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge was a decoration that existed during the 20th century and was awarded having been involved direclty in combat as an Infantrymen. Known as the "CIB", it was held by some of Earth's most famous generals, such as Norman Schwarzkopf. 

Parachutist Badge
The Parachutist Badge was a decoration of the U.S. military issued in the 20th century for those military members who were qualified to perform parachute drops. General Norman Schwarzkopf was a recipient of this decoration. 

Command-at-Sea Pin
The Command-at-Sea Pin was a decoration issued by the United States Navy to those officers who had qualified to serve as captains of a naval combat vessel. The pin was either worn above the right pocket, indicating an active assignment as captain of a ship, or below the left pocket showing inactive status. In 1986, Commander Rogerson of the USS Enterprise wore the Command-at-Sea Pin in the inactive location. 

Weapons Marksmanship Badge
Weapons Marksmanship Badges were issued by the United States Marine Corps for qualifying as a Marksman, Sharpshooter, or Expert on a particular firearm. Marksmanship badges were worn on the left pocket below award ribbons. In 2364, Q displayed three Marine Corps marksmanship badges when he impersonated a twentieth century Marine Corps captain. 

Air Force Cross
The Air Force Cross was one of the highest awards for valor in the United States Air Force and was displayed as a light blue ribbon with red borders. It was awarded to both enlisted personnel and officers. In 1969, at least one member of the 498th Airbase Group had received the Air Force Cross. 

Distinguished Service Medal
The Distinguished Service Medal was a high decoration of the United States military issued to officers who had performed service in a duty of great responsibility. In 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Fellini had received the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal. .

Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross was a high decoration awarded for valor in aerial flight. In 1969, at least one member of the 498th Airbase Group had received the Distinguished Flying Cross. As of 1986, this decoration was held by the Command Duty Officer of the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), Commander Rogerson. 

Navy and Marine Corps Medal
The Navy and Marine Corps Medal was a 20th century decoration which was the highest award for non-combat valor while serving in the United States Navy or Marine Corps. In 2364, when Q impersonated a Marine Corps Captain of the same era, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal was one of the decorations he displayed on his uniform. 

Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit was a high ranking United States military decoration that was in existence during World War II. As of 1947, Lieutenant General Rex Denning had received this award. 

Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal was an award for meritorious service first issued during World War II. In 1947, Lieutenant General Rex Denning, of the Army Air Corps, displayed the Bronze Star Medal as one his personal decorations.

Purple Heart
The Purple Heart was an award issued to all branches of the US armed forces. In 1947, General Rex Denning was a recipient of the Purple Heart. 

Air Medal
The Air Medal was a decoration of the United States Air Force awarded during the 20th century for achievement while participating in aerial flight. The Air Medal was displayed as a blue and yellow ribbon and could be awarded to both officer and enlisted personnel. 

Commendation Medals
Commendation Medals were mid-level decorations awarded to members of the United States armed forces. Each branch of service had its own version of the Commendation Medal. In 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Fellini had received the Air Force Commendation Medal. In 1986, Commander Rogerson of the USS Enterprise had been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with gold stars indicating multiple receipt of the decoration. In 2364, when Q impersonated a Marine Corps Captain, the Navy Commendation Medal was one of the ribbons seen on his uniform.

Achievement Medal
The Achivement Medal was a similar decoration to the Commendation Medal. As of 1986, Commander Rogerson of the USS Enterprise had received several Navy Achievement Medals. 

Good Conduct Medal
The Good Conduct Medal was an award for enlisted personnel and could also be worn by officers with prior enlisted service. In 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Fellini displayed the Air Force Good Conduct Medal on his uniform. 

National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal, often known as the "NDSM", was a common military medal issued in the 1960s. It was held by at least one Air Force officer on duty at Omaha Air Base in 1969. The decoration was also held by the Command Duty Officer of the USS Enterprise (Commander Rogerson) in 1986. 

American Defense Service Medal
The American Defense Service Medal was a decoration issued to personnel who had served in the US military between 1939 to 1941, prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor but during the initial years of World War II. As of 1947, Lieutenant General Rex Denning had received this decoration. 

Campaign Service Medals
Campaign service medals were issued by the United States armed forces to personnel who had served in various combat engagements. In 1969, an officer of Omaha Air Base had received one campaign medal. In 1986, the Command Duty Officer of the USS Enterprise had received two. 

Expeditionary Medal
Expeditionary medals were awards issued to military personnel for participating in special expeditionary campaigns. As of 1986, Commander Rogerson of the USS Enterprise had received the Navy Expeditionary Medal. 

World War II Victory Ribbon
The World War II Victory Ribbon was an award issued to any personnel of the US armed forces for service during World War II. In 1947, General Rex Denning was a recipient of the World War II Victory Ribbon. 

World War II Campaign Ribbons
World War II Campaign Ribbons were issued to any personnel of the US armed forces who had served in designated campaigns during World War II. In 1947, General Rex Denning was the recipient of at least two World War II Campaign Ribbons. In 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Fellini of the Air Police wore one World War II campaign ribbon on his uniform. 



Military Unit Commendations
Military Unit Commendations were decorations issued to military personnel who belonged to a unit which had performed some feat of excellence. As of 1986, Commander Rogerson of the USS Enterprise had received at least two Navy Unit Commendations. In 2364, when Q impersonated a Marine Corps captain, a Navy Unit Commendation was one of the decorations seen on Q's uniform. 

Military Unit Awards
Military unit awards were low precedence level ribbons and were presented to personnel who were members of a military unit cited for a particular action. In 1969, Lieutenant Colonel Fellini of the US 498th Airbase Group had received an Air Force unit award. (

Navy "E" Ribbon
The Navy "E" Ribbon was an award granted to personnel of a particular United States Navy ship which had performed a feat of excellence. As of 1986, Commander Rogerson of the USS Enterprise had received the Navy "E' Ribbon on at least two separate occasions.

Sea Service Ribbon
The Sea Service Ribbon was a United States Navy decoration awarded to those officers and enlisted personnel who had performed a seaward deployment on board a US Navy vessel. Multiple decorations of this ribbon were denoted by bronze service stars. As of 1986, Commander Rogerson of the USS Enterprise had received at least three awards of the Sea Service Ribbon. 

Marksmanship Ribbon
The Marksmanship Ribbon was a low-level award issued to naval personnel who had qualified to a level of proficiency on a small arms weapon. In 1986 the CDO of the USS Enterprise displayed the Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon on his uniform. 

International Military Awards
International military awards were occasionally awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces and were worn after all regular decorations. As of 1969, at least one Air Force officer on duty at Omaha Air Base had received an international military award. In 1986, the CDO of the USS Enterprise (Commander Rogerson) had received an international unit citation. When Q impersonated a Marine Corps captain in 2364, one of the awards on his uniform was this same international award. 

Presidential Unit Citations
Presidential unit citations were displayed as ribbons encased by gold frames. There were several different versions of this award from various nations of Earth, and the decoration could be held by both enlisted and officer personnel. 

Additional decorations
United States armed forces personnel were occasionally authorized additional decorations to include foreign awards, civilian medals, and state level decorations. In 1969, at least one member of the 498th Airbase Group had received such an additional decoration. 

Appearances
American military awards have been seen in several Star Trek productions, most often on the uniforms of characters who are encountered by the regular Star Trek crews during time travel incidents. With the exception of the United States Coast Guard, each branch of the American military has had its awards appear in Star Trek. While most such awards are not mentioned by name in dialog, they can typically be identified visually. American military awards have appeared in the following productions:
 * - Air Force
 * - Navy
 * - Marine Corps
 * - Army
 * - Army

Background

 * The Star Trek wardrobe departments have generally kept to correctness with regards to order and precedence of awards shown on uniforms as well as not having characters wear military awards for conflicts in which they could not have served in.
 * Gene Roddenberry was awarded several military decorations for his service during World War II. These included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.  Roddenberry was also authorized the Aviator Badge for service as a B-17 pilot.
 * Q wearing a Marine Corps uniform in the 24th century was the only time that a character displayed United States armed forces awards in the "normal" time frame of Star Trek and not in an episode involving time travel. Q's uniform is also the one significant example of the costume department displaying award ribbons badly out of order.
 * The latest American award seen on camera is the Combat Infantryman Badge visible in a restored timestream at a military briefing in the 1990s.  However, the United States of America is said to have existed until at least the 2050s, possibly much later (well into the 2150s or perhaps even the 23rd and 24th centuries).  This being the case, it is reasonable that there are numerous additional American military awards, from future wars and conflicts, which have never been seen or discussed.