Military Medals

Military medals have a history that dates back to the Roman Empire. The first attempt at using medals to honor American military men started in 1776 with a large gold medal awarded to George Washington for driving the British from Boston. The Andre Medal was created in 1780 and awarded to three enlisted men for capturing Major John Andre who was carrying war plans in his boot. Seven years into the Revolutionary War the government was bankrupt and couldn’t give promotions or raises, according to the San Jose Times (April 10, 1944). To boost morale, General George Washington ordered the issue of the Badge of Military Merit (known as the Purple Heart, today). The San Jose Times described the Badge of Military Merit as a “sort of consolation prize.” After the United States won the Revolutionary War, the government was reluctant to use medals due to the desire to distance the U.S. from all things related to the monarchy, which included medals. The boycott of medals ended in 1862 with the introduction of the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor of all.

Many more medals have been designed and distributed, since the Medal of Honor. Medals are divided into two eras. Medals issued before 1939 are called Pre-1939 medals. These military medals include the WWI Army Occupation medal, Civil War medals, Cuban Occupation medals, the Dominican Campaign, First Haitian Campaign, First Nicaraguan Campaign, Mexican Service, and Philippine Campaign. Current medals are categorized as Post 1939 medals. They include the Afghanistan Campaign, Iraq Campaign, Army Cross, Navy Distinguished Medal, Air Force Good Conduct, Commendation medals, the Women's Army Corps, and many more.

Today, American military medals are widely issued. Each branch of the U.S. military has their own medals, though several of the Navy and Marine Corps. medals are shared. The most common medal issued is the achievement medal.

If medals are issued, then why would people buy them? There are lots of reasons, but the most common is for replacement of medals that have been lost or stolen. Service members and their families can get replacement medals though the military, but the process can be difficult and long. Buying the medals shortens the wait and is much simpler. Many find it worth the expense to save them the aggravation of going through government channels.

Other people who buy medals are collectors, dealers, people buying gifts, and even people decorating costumes for movies and TV. It’s legal to buy any military medal, except the Medal of Honor. It is, however, illegal to wear military medals you did not earn.