United States military award devices
The United States Armed Forces authorizes ribbon devices that may be worn if authorized on a defined set of United States military decorations and awards. [1] The devices which are usually attached to suspension and service ribbons of medals and to unit award ribbons, vary between 3/16 to 11/32 inches in size and are usually made of brass or metal alloys that appear gold, silver, or bronze in color with either a dull or polished look. The devices may denote additional awards of the same decoration or award, an award for valor or combat service, participation in a particular campaign, periods of honorable service, specific events, and other special meanings. These are sometimes referred to as award devices, but are most commonly referred to in service regulations and Department of Defense instructions simply as "devices" for awards and decorations.
List of ribbon devices
The following is a list of current and past US military ribbon devices:
- 5/16 inch star
- "A" Device
- Arrowhead device
- Battle E device
- Battle star
- Berlin Airlift Device
- Campaign clasp
- Campaign star
- Citation Star
- Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia
- Enlistment Bar
- Globe Device
- Gold frame
- Good Conduct Loop
- Hourglass Device
- Hurricane Device
- Marksmanship Device
- "M" Device
- "N" Device
- Navy Commendation Star
- Numeral device
- Oak leaf cluster
- Operational Distinguishing Device
- Service star
- Strike/Flight numerals
- "V" Device
- Wake Island Device
- Wintered Over Device
Examples of service ribbons with devices
The following images provide examples of devices being worn on the service ribbons of various decorations and awards:
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Silver Star with one bronze oak leaf cluster indicating a total of two awards. |
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Legion of Merit with one gold 5/16 inch star indicating a total of two awards. |
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Distinguished Flying Cross with two bronze oak leaf clusters indicating a total of three awards. |
 
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Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device and one silver oak leaf cluster indicating a total of six awards. |
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Purple Heart Medal with two gold 5/16 inch stars indicating a total of three awards. |
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Joint Service Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters indicating a total of four awards. |
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Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with four gold 5/16 inch stars indicating a total of five awards. |
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Coast Guard Achievement Medal with one silver and one gold 5/16 inch star indicating a total of seven awards. |
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National Defense Service Medal with one 3/16 inch service star indicating a total of two awards. |
 
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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one silver 3/16 inch service star and Fleet Marine Force Device indicating a total of six awards. |
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Vietnam Service Medal with two 3/16 inch service stars and Arrowhead device indicating a total of two awards and at least one combat jump |
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Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze Hourglass Device for ten years of service, the "M" Device for mobilization, and the "3" Numeral Device indicating three mobilizations. |
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Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation with Hurricane Device. |
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Army of Occupation Medal with Berlin Airlift Device. |
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Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device. |
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Coast Guard Unit Commendation with Operational Distinguishing Device |
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Coast Guard Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Sharpshooter Device |
References
- ↑ "Department of Defense Manual 1348.33, Volume 3" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. 23 November 2010. p. 7. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
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