Medals and Decorations

Medals and Decorations, adornments worn or displayed, issued as personal awards for outstanding service, bravery, or specific achievement or in commemoration of a historic event or a great personage. Medals are small, flat pieces of metal, commonly discs but often in the shape of a cross or star, such as the Maltese cross; they usually bear a decorative image or design and an inscription.

In ancient Greece and Rome the commemorative function was usually the province of coins. Not until the Renaissance were medals created as works of art per se, crafted by such artists as the Italian medallist and painter Pisanello, the goldsmith and sculptor Benvenuto Cellini, and the German master Albrecht Dürer. Noted medal designers of the 20th century were the American sculptor Paul Manship and the Swedish sculptor Carl Milles.

Medals were awarded for military valour in the 15th century, but not until the end of the 18th century did medals commemorating victorious engagements become widespread.

United Kingdom decorations (for a single act of outstanding gallantry in war), medals (for long service or good conduct), and orders (membership of which is regarded the highest honour and is determined by head of state) are also awarded to Commonwealth citizens. Australia issued its own medal for service in the Vietnam War and New Zealand issued a gallantry medal for service in the 1860s Maori Wars. Among the most famous British medals are, in order of preference, the Victoria Cross; the George Cross (for bravery); the Order of the Garter; the Royal Red Cross, and the Distinguished Service Cross (both decorations).

Medals awarded by European countries for outstanding military service include the French Médaille Militaire and Croix de Guerre, the German Iron Cross, and the Norwegian Order of St Olav.

Service medals awarded by the United States Army and Navy for participation in specific campaigns include, for example, the Civil War Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal for service in World War I or World War II. The US Army confers the Distinguished Service Cross on those displaying exceptional heroism and the Order of the Purple Heart.

The highest military award bestowed by the United States is the Medal of Honor (1861), which is granted in the name of the US Congress to those who have risked their lives above and beyond the call of duty. Other military medals are given for specific outstanding performance, as, for example, excellence in marksmanship. Ribbons are often attached to medals, and stars and other devices are added to indicate particulars such as the campaigns in which the wearer participated. Ribbons are sometimes worn alone as substitutes for medals.