Pyramid of Honor

Citable Version ^[?]

This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

[edit intro]

In the U.S. military, the pyramid of honor designates the relative status of military awards.

Italics indicate awards that are for bravery not against an enemy.

Awards for Valor
Army	Navy and Marines	Air Force
Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross	Navy Cross	Air Force Cross
Silver Star
Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat V
Soldier's Medal	Navy and Marine Corps Medal	Airman's Medal
Bronze Star with Combat V
Air Medal with Combat V ^[1]	Air Medal with Combat V	Air Medal with Combat V

Awards for Noncombat achievement
Army	Navy and Marines	Air Force	Joint
Distinguished Service Medal			Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit^[2]
Bronze Star
Army Commendation Medal	Navy Commendation Medal	Air Force Commendation Medal	Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal	Navy Achievement Medal	Air Force Achievement Medal	Joint Service Achievement Medal

Recognition of serving well in combat
Army	Navy	Air Force
Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Close Combat Badge	Combat Action Ribbon

References

↑ There is a different V for individual acts, and for numbers of combat missions (i.e., "strike/flight")
↑ While this exists in only 1 grade for U.S. personnel, there are multiple grades used in ceremonial presentations to foreign officials.