The designs of the various medals and badges and the colors of their distinctive ribbons are shown in the accompanying illustrations.
Laws have been passed authorizing the wearing of the badges of certain societies composed of men who have served in the War of the Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the War with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection and the China Relief Expedition, but the regulations prohibit the wearing of these badges while in uniform when medals and badges presented by the government are worn.
The Medal of Honor, U. S. Army.—The Medal of Honor for the Army was first authorized by Act of Congress in 1861 and is awarded to officers and enlisted men of the Army in the name of Congress for particular deeds of most distinguished gallantry in action. In order that an officer or enlisted man may receive a medal of honor he must have performed in action a deed of most distinguished personal bravery or self-sacrifice, above and beyond the call of duty, so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish him for gallantry or intrepidity above his comrades in arms, involving risk of life or the performance of more than ordinarily hazardous service. This medal is of bronze with the wreath in green enamel.
The Medal of Honor, U. S. Navy and Marine Corps. The Medal of Honor for the Navy, including the Marine Corps, was authorized by Act of Congress in 1862, which provided that enlisted men of the Naval Service distinguishing themselves in battle, or by extraordinary heroism in the line of their profession, may be promoted to forward warrant officers, upon the recommendation of their commanding officer, approved by the Flag Officer and the Secretary of the Navy; and that upon such recommendation they shall receive a Medal of Honor and a gratuity of one hundred dollars. This law provided the medal of honor and its accompanying gratuity for enlisted men only, but the Act of Congress of March 3, 1915, extended it to officers by the following proviso: “The President of the United States is hereby empowered to prepare a suitable Medal of Honor to be awarded to any officer of the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard who shall distinguish himself in battle or display extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession.” The Navy Medal of Honor and the anchor from which it is suspended are of bronze.
Medals of Honor for both the Army and the Navy, being the highest decorations awarded by the United States government, are worn suspended from the neck by a ribbon of light blue studded with white stars so that the medal will be at the center of the neck opening of the coat.
The Medal Commemorating the Battle of Manila Bay.—This medal, popularly known as the “Dewey Medal,” was the next one authorized by Congress after the Medal of Honor, and was struck in accordance with a joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives approved by the President on June 3, 1898, reading as follows:
“Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he hereby is, authorized to present a sword of honor to Commodore George Dewey, and to cause to be struck bronze medals commemorating the battle of Manilla Bay, and to distribute such medals to the officers and men of the ships of the Asiatic Squadron of the United States under command of Commodore George Dewey on May first, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight.”
| 1. Medal for Meritorious Service other than in battle, U. S. Navy, 1898 | 2. Certificate of Merit Medal |
| 3. Civil War Medal, U. S. Army | 4. Civil War Medal, U. S. Navy |
