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{{Short description|Award, usually a medal of some sort, mark of honor}}
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{{distinguish|Military order (religious society)}}
{{Redirect|Military Order of Merit|the Persian order|Military Order of Merit (Iran)}}
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{{Distinguish|Military order (religious society)}}
{{multiple issues|
{{multiple issues|
{{Refimprove|date=April 2008}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2008}}
{{Original research|date=April 2008}}
{{Original research|date=April 2008}}
}}
}}

[[File:Decorations-legion.jpg|thumb|Wall of Medals in the [[French Foreign Legion Museum]]]]
[[File:Decorations-legion.jpg|thumb|Wall of Medals in the [[French Foreign Legion Museum]]]]
'''Military awards and decorations''' are a distinction given as a mark of honor for [[military]] [[heroism]], meritorious or outstanding service or achievement.<ref>DoD Manual 1348.33, 2010, Vol. 3</ref> It is often a [[medal]] consisting of a ribbon and a medallion.
'''Military awards and decorations''' are distinctions given as a mark of honor for [[military]] [[heroism]], meritorious or outstanding service or achievement.<ref>[[United States Department of Defense|DoD]] Manual 1348.33, 2010, Vol. 3.</ref> A decoration is often a [[medal]] consisting of a ribbon and a medallion.


While the [[United States Government]] does not consider all its military awards and medals as being "decorations", other countries tend to refer to all their military awards and medals as "decorations". [[Civil decoration]]s awarded to military personnel should not be considered military decorations, although some [[order of chivalry|orders of chivalry]] have civil and military divisions. Decorations received by [[police]] and [[fire brigade]] personnel may sometimes be considered alongside military decorations, on which they may be modelled, although they are strictly not military awards.
[[Civil decoration]]s awarded to military personnel should not be considered military decorations, although some [[order of chivalry|orders of chivalry]] have civil and military divisions. Decorations received by [[police]] and [[fire brigade]] personnel may sometimes be considered alongside military decorations, on which they may be modelled, although they are strictly not military awards.


==History==
==History==
[[File:1st Mannerheim Cross.jpg|thumb|upright|The I class of the [[Mannerheim Cross]] of the Order of the Cross of Liberty from 1941]]
Decorations have been known since ancient times. The Egyptian [[Old Kingdom]] had the [[Order of the Golden Collar]] while the [[New Kingdom]] awarded the [[Order of the Golden Fly]].<ref name=David>{{cite book |last=David |first=Rosalie |title=The Ancient Egyptians: Beliefs and Practices |year=1998 |publisher=Sussex Academic Press |isbn=1898723729 |page=101}}</ref> [[Celt]]s and [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] wore a [[torc]] or received other [[Roman military decorations and punishments|military decorations]] such as the ''[[Hasta pura (military decoration)|hasta pura]]'', a spear without a tip. [[Dayak people|Dayaks]] wore and still wear [[tattoo]]s, etc. [[Necklace]]s and [[bracelet]]s were given during the early [[Middle Age]]s, evolving into richly [[gemstone|jewelled]] big necklaces, often with a [[pendant]] (commonly a [[medal]]) attached.
Decorations have been known since ancient times. The Egyptian [[Old Kingdom]] had the [[Order of the Golden Collar]] while the [[New Kingdom of Egypt|New Kingdom]] awarded the [[Order of the Golden Fly]].<ref name=David>{{cite book |last=David |first=Rosalie |title=The Ancient Egyptians: Beliefs and Practices |year=1998 |publisher=Sussex Academic Press |isbn=1898723729 |page=101}}</ref> [[Celts]] and [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] wore a [[torc]] or received other [[Roman military decorations and punishments|military decorations]] such as the ''[[Hasta pura (military decoration)|hasta pura]]'', a spear without a tip. [[Dayak people|Dayaks]] wore and still wear [[tattoo]]s, etc. [[Necklace]]s and [[bracelet]]s were given during the early [[Middle Ages]], evolving into large, richly [[gemstone|jewelled]] necklaces, often with a [[pendant]] (commonly a [[medal]]) attached.


The oldest military decorations still in use is Sweden's '''[[För tapperhet i fält]]''' ("For Valour in the Field") and '''För tapperhet till sjöss''' ("For Valour at Sea") awarded to officers and soldiers of the Swedish Armed Forces who have—as the medal names suggest—shown valour in the field or at sea in wartime. The medal was instituted by Swedish king Gustav III on 28 May, 1789, during his war against Russia. Whilst technically it is still active, it is for practical purposes inactive, not having been awarded since 1915.<br />The next oldest was the Austro-Hungarian '''[[Medal_for_Bravery_(Austria-Hungary)|Tapferkeits Medaille]]''' Honour Medal for Bravery 1789–1792. This medal was instituted on 19 July, 1789, by the Emperor Joseph II.<br /> Another of the oldest military decorations still in use is Poland's War Order of '''[[Virtuti Militari]]''' (Latin for "For Military Valour"). It was first awarded in 1792.
The oldest military decorations still in use is Sweden's ''[[För tapperhet i fält]]'' ('For Valour in the Field') and ''För tapperhet till sjöss'' ('For Valour at Sea') awarded to officers and soldiers of the Swedish Armed Forces who have—as the medal names suggest—shown valour in the field or at sea in wartime. The medal was instituted by Swedish king [[Gustav III]] on 28 May 1789, during his war against Russia. Whilst technically it is still active, it is for practical purposes inactive, not having been awarded since 1915. The next oldest is the Austro-Hungarian ''[[Medal for Bravery (Austria-Hungary)|Tapferkeits Medaille]]'' Honour Medal for Bravery 1789–1792. This medal was instituted on 19 July 1789, by the Emperor Joseph II.
Another of the oldest military decorations still in use is Poland's War Order of ''[[Virtuti Militari]]'' ({{lang for|la||For Military Valour}}). It was first awarded in 1792.


== Forgery ==
== Forgery ==
{{also|Military imposter}}
Medals have been forged by many people to make the medal appear more valuable or to make one look like a more decorated soldier. Medal forgeries can include: adding bars, engraving a famous soldier's name on it or creating a whole new medal. Medal forgery is illegal in most countries and can be punishable by imprisonment.
Medals have been forged by many people to make the medal appear more valuable or to make one look like a more decorated soldier. Medal forgeries can include: adding [[Medal bar|bars]], engraving a famous soldier's name on it or creating a whole new medal. Medal forgery is illegal in most countries and can be punishable by imprisonment.

<br />

== Spotting a fake ==
Alas many medals are faked, a medal gains value in direct relation to the owner of the medal; as 90% or so of all British Military Medals are named this allows the collector to research the man and place him on a battlefield in the heat of the action, for example a Zulu War medal to a man who took part in the Campaign in 1879 would cost some £700 however  the same campaign  medal to a man who you can place at the defence of the mission station at Rourke’s Drift, made famous by the film Zulu, would command a price of £50,000 to £60,000.


A knowledge therefore of the exact styles of naming is a crucial key to purchasing a real medal, however a quick tip is just to look at the medal on a  flat surface, is the medal completely round or does it and have an egg-shaped appearance and thinning of the rim towards the 6 o’clock point, if so this usually means that the original naming has been removed and a new name impressed or engraved around the rim taking the name of a man who was at a famous action solely to deceive and make the medal worth more money, always make sure the medal is completely round, the forger will be happy to take your money for a medal he has re-named!


If in doubt take your medal to one of the well know reputable [https://www.baldwin.co.uk dealers or auction houses] who specialise in Military Medals, such as Mark Smith - a Military Medals specialist and a familiar face on [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/rr1KpD2jz76RdM4NkDWddb/mark-smith BBC's Antiques Roadshow] - they will happily and quickly tell you if your medal is real or has come from the forgers workshop.


==Contemporary use==
==Contemporary use==
[[File:Mark_Miley_Army_Chief_of_Staff.jpg|thumb|right|120px|U.S Army Chief of Staff [[Mark A. Milley]] wearing a number of military decorations]]

Today military decorations include:
Today military decorations include:
⚫
*[[Order of merit|Orders of merit]];

⚫
*[[Order of merit]];
*Bravery awards, in the form of a cross, star or medal on a ribbon;
*Bravery awards, in the form of a cross, star or medal on a ribbon;
*Distinguished service awards, in the form of a cross, star or medal on a ribbon;
*Distinguished service awards, in the form of a cross, star or medal on a ribbon;
*[[Campaign medal]]s worn on a ribbon;
*[[Campaign medal]]s worn on a ribbon;
*[[Service medal]]s worn on a ribbon;
*[[Service medal]]s worn on a ribbon;
*Awards for entire units, in the form of [[Battle honour]]s, [[Campaign streamer]]s, [[Fourragère]]s, or [[unit citation]]s.
*Awards for entire units, in the form of [[battle honour]]s, [[campaign streamer]]s, [[fourragère]]s, or [[unit citation]]s.


In most NATO militaries, only the [[ribbon bar|service ribbons]] are normally worn on everyday occasions (as opposed to the actual medals).
In most NATO militaries, only the [[ribbon bar|service ribbons]] are normally worn on everyday occasions (as opposed to the actual medals).
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== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[List of military decorations]]
*[[List of military decorations]]
*[[List of highest military decorations]]
*[[List of highest military decorations by country]]
*[[Civil decoration]]
*[[Civil decoration]]
*[[State decoration]]
*[[State decoration]]
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*[[Awards and decorations of the Russian Federation]]
*[[Awards and decorations of the Russian Federation]]
*[[Awards and decorations of the Soviet Union]]
*[[Awards and decorations of the Soviet Union]]
*[[Israeli Military decorations]]
*[[Israeli military decorations]]
*[[Orders, decorations, and medals of Spain]]
*[[Orders, decorations, and medals of Spain]]
*[[Orders, decorations, and medals of Belgium]]
*[[Awards and decorations of the German Armed Forces]]
*[[Awards and decorations of the German Armed Forces]]
*[[Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom]]
*[[Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom]]
*[[Medal inflation]]


== References ==
== References ==
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{{Highest Awards for gallantry}}
{{Highest Awards for gallantry}}
{{Orders}}
{{Orders}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Awards And Decorations}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Awards And Decorations}}
[[Category:Military orders, awards and decorations| ]]
[[Category:Military awards and decorations| ]]

Latest revision as of 20:08, 16 April 2024

"Military Order of Merit" redirects here. For the Persian order, see Military Order of Merit (Iran).
Not to be confused with Military order (religious society).
Wall of Medals in the French Foreign Legion Museum

Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement.[1] A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medallion.

Civil decorations awarded to military personnel should not be considered military decorations, although some orders of chivalry have civil and military divisions. Decorations received by police and fire brigade personnel may sometimes be considered alongside military decorations, on which they may be modelled, although they are strictly not military awards.

History[edit]

The I class of the Mannerheim Cross of the Order of the Cross of Liberty from 1941

Decorations have been known since ancient times. The Egyptian Old Kingdom had the Order of the Golden Collar while the New Kingdom awarded the Order of the Golden Fly.[2] Celts and Romans wore a torc or received other military decorations such as the hasta pura, a spear without a tip. Dayaks wore and still wear tattoos, etc. Necklaces and bracelets were given during the early Middle Ages, evolving into large, richly jewelled necklaces, often with a pendant (commonly a medal) attached.

The oldest military decorations still in use is Sweden's För tapperhet i fält ('For Valour in the Field') and För tapperhet till sjöss ('For Valour at Sea') awarded to officers and soldiers of the Swedish Armed Forces who have—as the medal names suggest—shown valour in the field or at sea in wartime. The medal was instituted by Swedish king Gustav III on 28 May 1789, during his war against Russia. Whilst technically it is still active, it is for practical purposes inactive, not having been awarded since 1915. The next oldest is the Austro-Hungarian Tapferkeits Medaille Honour Medal for Bravery 1789–1792. This medal was instituted on 19 July 1789, by the Emperor Joseph II.

Another of the oldest military decorations still in use is Poland's War Order of Virtuti Militari (Latin for 'For Military Valour'). It was first awarded in 1792.

Forgery[edit]

See also: Military imposter

Medals have been forged by many people to make the medal appear more valuable or to make one look like a more decorated soldier. Medal forgeries can include: adding bars, engraving a famous soldier's name on it or creating a whole new medal. Medal forgery is illegal in most countries and can be punishable by imprisonment.

Contemporary use[edit]

Today military decorations include:

In most NATO militaries, only the service ribbons are normally worn on everyday occasions (as opposed to the actual medals).

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ DoD Manual 1348.33, 2010, Vol. 3.
  2. ^ David, Rosalie (1998). The Ancient Egyptians: Beliefs and Practices. Sussex Academic Press. p. 101. ISBN 1898723729.
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