UNITED STATES MILITARY SERVICE PLAQUES

NEW AWARDS

(OR OLD AWARDS YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE OF)

Now that you have seen what we can do for you, we hope you will want to have a military service plaque (or plaques) made for yourself.  And if you do, you will surely want to include "everything" you earned - including ribbons, medals, and insignia you might not even be aware of!  The United States and several foreign countries (in which American military forces may have served over the years and over the wars)  have created numerous awards "after the fact" - after the period for which they were created.  You may have "earned" some of these awards, but because they were established or authorized after you left the service (in some cases, years or even decades after), you may not be aware of them.  Some examples follow.  Please note that some "qualifying" dates and "areas" identified below may not agree with information you may already have - if so, your information is probably just as good, maybe even better, than ours.

AMERICAN MILITARY SERVICE IN THE VIETNAM WAR

Among the numerous awards made by the Republic of Vietnam to American military personnel for service in the Vietnam War are the "GALLANTRY CROSS" and the "CIVIL ACTIONS HONOR" Unit Citations.  Early in that war, these awards were made only to specific units, but later and at the end, both citations became (for United States Army personnel only) "general" awards authorized for all units (and therefore, to all individuals in those units).  If you had Army service in Vietnam anytime between 8 February 1962 - 28 March 1973, you are authorized the "GALLANTRY CROSS" Unit Citation.  Vietnam service between 1 January 1965 - 28 March 1973 qualifies you for the "CIVIL ACTIONS HONOR" Unit Citation.  As "unit awards," both are ribbons (only), encased in a gilt-metal frame and bearing a small bronze palm device.  You should note that both of these awards were also given to "individuals," and if so include actual medals.  These awards are authorized - but not supplied - by the United States government. 

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AMERICAN MILITARY SERVICE IN KOREA

The "KOREAN PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION" (shown above) was originally authorized by the Republic of Korea for specifically named American military organizations.  It may now be worn by all American (Army) personnel who served in Korea for 30 days or more between 27 June 1950 - 27 July 1954.  This award is a ribbon only, encased in a gilt-metal frame. This award is authorized - but not supplied - by the United States government.

The "KOREAN WAR SERVICE" award (medal and ribbon and ribbon shown above) was established by the Republic of Korea government in 1951, but not approved by the US Defense Department until 1999 for American military personnel who served in the Korean War.  Period of applicable service is 30 days or more between 27 July 1950 - 27 July 1954.  On some versions, the Korean flag "taeguk" is imprinted, on others it is a small metal device. This award is authorized - but not supplied - by the United States government. 

The "KOREA DEFENSE SERVICE" award (medal and ribbon shown above) was established by the United States government in 2002, and is authorized for American military personnel who have served in Korea for 30 days or more after 27 July 1954 (official ending date of the Korean War).

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COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (CAR)

This ribbon-only award was created for the US Navy/US Marine Corps/US Coast Guard in 1969 and made "retroactive" to 1961 (to cover the Vietnam War).  In 1999, the retroactive date was revised to 7 December 1941 (to cover WW II).   

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THE BRONZE STAR

This award was created by the United States War Department in February 1944 to recognize "valorous achievement" by American military personnel in combat actions (not involving flight) dating to 7 December 1941 - the beginning of WW II.  In 1947 (and applying only to WW II service), this award was retroactively authorized for all personnel who had previously earned the COMBAT INFANTRY BADGE or the COMBAT MEDIC BADGE.  If you had previously received a BRONZE STAR MEDAL as a "valor" citation in WW II, this retroactive award is not considered a second award and therefore does not warrant an Oak Leaf Cluster.  Please note that this medal is NOT the small bronze star metal device which indicates credit for a particular battle and installed on a theater (campaign) ribbon.  

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 OCCUPATION DUTY

This award was created in 1946 for the Army/Army Air Forces, and in 1947 for the Navy/Marines/Coast Guard - months after most individuals who would have qualified for it had been discharged.  If you served at least 30 days in any area designated as an "occupation zone" (Europe from 8 May 1945; Asia from 3 September 1945 and continuing until differing ending dates), you are authorized this medal and ribbon.  Note:  Army/Air Force version of medal (with "GERMANY" clasp) is shown above; USN/USMC/USCG version is similar - clasps vary by theater, but ribbon for all versions is exactly the same.

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 UNIT CITATIONS - WORLD WAR II

In World War II, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Italy awarded  "citations" to numerous American military units.  These units were authorized to display "streamers" (banners) on their organizational flags, but nothing was authorized for individuals to wear (in some cases, a second award of the same citation did authorize individual wear of a "fourragere" - shoulder cord/lanyard - in the colors of the streamer).  So that these important awards can be recognized on our plaques, we have designed  (unofficial) ribbons for twelve of them - all derived from official foreign-authorized awards. You must provide written "proof" - that the unit was awarded the citation and that you were assigned to the unit at the time of award.  The five examples illustrated above are (left to right) - Belgian Croix de Guerre, French Croix De Guerre, Belgian Fourragere, Netherlands Orange Lanyard, and Luxembourg Croix De Guerre.

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MILITARY SERVICE PLAQUES

BY

MILIBOOKS OF AMERICA - ST. LOUIS MISSOURI