Medals for Soldiers and Airmen

This is the first and only comprehensive history of all decorations and medals that may be awarded to men and women serving in the United States Army and Air Force. The background and design of each medal are examined, as well as award criteria governing each decoration. The book first looks at the Army and Air Force Medals of Honor before continuing with other awards, including the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart. The histories of more common medals like the Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army and Air Force Commendation Medals and Army and Air Force Achievement Medals are also included. Photographs of each medal (obverse and reverse) accompany the text, along with selected photographs of recipients and the citations for their awards.

Fred L. Borch III served 25 years as an Army lawyer. A professionally trained historian, he now serves as the Regimental Historian and Archivist for the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Fred L. Borch III

Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 200
Bibliographic Info: 80 photos, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2013
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7412-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0189-2
Imprint: McFarland

Foreword  1
Preface  3
1. Decorations for Valor in Combat  5
2. Decorations and Medals for Noncombat Valor  68
3. Dual Purpose Decorations for Performance or Valor  80
4. Awards and Decorations for Outstanding Achievement or Meritorious Service  100
Appendices
A. Order of Precedence  171
B. Certificate of Merit  171
C. Oak Leaf Cluster  176
D. “V” Device  178
Notes  180
Bibliography  188
Index  191