Category: Military History

During the time of the Mexican War and thereafter, the Federal Government still showed a great reluctance to strike medals for soldiers and sailors. However, various states showed no such resistance. For example, the state of South Carolina struck 1000 silver medals for members of the Volunteer Palmetto Regiment who served in the Mexican War. […]

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The cruel and cowardly terrorist hijacking and attack on the World Trade Center led to a vigorous series of counter attacks on terrorists and their supporters. To recognize these efforts, the National Defense Service Medal was reauthorized in 2001 and two new awards, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism […]

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The next area in which the Services have gone their separate ways is in the prescribed arrangement of the various devices used on the ribbons of decorations and service awards. We have already discussed the devices used on U.S. ribbons, but of particular interest are the following: A. Additional award and campaign devices B. Bronze […]

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The first American advisors in the Republic of South Vietnam were awarded the new Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal which was created in 1961 to cover campaigns for which no specific military medal was instituted. However, as the U.S. involvement in the Vietnamese conflict grew, a unique award, the Vietnam Service Medal was authorized, thus giving […]

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The United States Government, State Governments, Veterans Organizations, private mints and individuals have a long tradition of striking commemorative medals to recognize and honor specific military victories, historical events and military service to our great Republic. Until the 20th Century the United States did not issue military service medals recognizing service by veterans in the […]

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