Military decorations of the Cold War

Last updated

Between 1947 and 1991, during the years of the Cold War, a large number of military awards and decorations were created by various nations to recognize the undeclared hostilities of the era. Military medals of the Vietnam War and the Korean War are the best known due to the extreme level of the conflicts.

Contents

The following is a list of military decorations of the Cold War based on the various time periods and specific nations involved.

Americas

Canada

Korea Medal.svg Korea Medal
CAN Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea.svg Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea
Special Service Medal Ribbon.png Special Service Medal

Cuba

United States

Federal Service Medals
Armed Forces Expedtionary Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Korea Defense Service ribbon.svg Korea Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal - Ribbon.svg Korean Service Medal
Medal for Humane Action ribbon.svg Medal for Humane Action
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg Vietnam Service Medal
Unofficial
Cold War Victory Medal ribbon.svg Cold War Victory Medal The Cold War Victory Medal is both an official medal of the U.S. National Guard and an unofficial military medal of the United States. It is awarded by the U.S. states of Louisiana and Texas, and in ribbon form only by the State of Alaska.

Asia

Republic of China

Awards and decorations of China

North Vietnam

Vietnam Hochiminh Order ribbon.png Ho Chi Minh Order
Defeat American Aggression Badge
Vietnam Liberation Order

South Vietnam

National Order of Vietnam Military Merit Medal Army Distinguished Service Order Air Force Distinguished Service Order Navy Distinguished Service Order
BaoQuocHuanChuongDe5.jpg
Military Merit Medal (Vietnam).png
Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order-Second Class.png
Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order-Second Class.png
Vietnam Navy Distinguished Service Order-Second Class.png
VPD National Order of Vietnam - Knight BAR.svg
Vietnam Military Merit Ribbon.svg
Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order Ribbon-Second Class.svg
Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order Ribbon-Second Class.svg
Vietnam Navy Distinguished Service Order Ribbon-Second Class.svg
Army Meritorious Service Medal Air Force Meritorious Service Medal Navy Meritorious Service Medal Special Service Medal
Vietnam Army Meritorious Service Medal.png
Vietnam Air Force Meritorious Service Medal.png
Vietnam Navy Meritorious Service Medal.png
Special Service Medal (South Vietnam).png
Vietnam Army Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
Vietnam Air Force Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
Vietnam Navy Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
Vietnam Special Service Medal ribbon.svg
Gallantry Cross Air Gallantry Cross Navy Gallantry Cross Hazardous Service Medal Life Saving Medal Loyalty Medal Wound Medal
Gallantry Cross (Vietnam).jpg
Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross Bronze Wing.png
Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross, Bronze Anchor.png
Vietnam Hazardous Service Medal.png
Lifes Saving Medal (South Vietnam).png
RVN Loyalty Medal.png
Vietnam Wound Medal.png
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg
Vietnam Air Gallantry Cross Bronze Wing ribbon.svg
Vietnam Navy Gallantry Cross, Bronze Anchor ribbon.svg
Vietnam Hazardous Service Medal ribbon.svg
Vietnam Life Saving Medal ribbon.svg
Vietnam Loyalty Medal ribbon.svg
Vietnam Wound Medal ribbon.svg
Leadership Medal Armed Forces Honor Medal
(First Class)
Armed Forces Honor Medal
(Second Class)
Staff Service Medal
(First Class)
Staff Service Medal
(Second Class)
Technical Service Medal
(First Class)
Technical Service Medal
(Second Class)
Vietnam Leadership Medal.png
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal-First Class.png
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal-Second Class.png
Vietnam Staff Service Medal - First Class.png
Vietnam Staff Service Medal-Second Class.png
Vietnam Technical Service Medal-First Class.png
Vietnam Technical Service Medal-Second Class.png
Vietnam Leadership Medal-Brigade ribbon.svg
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal ribbon-First Class.svg
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal ribbon-Second Class.svg
Vietnam Staff Service Medal ribbon-First Class.svg
Vietnam Staff Service Medal ribbon-Second Class.svg
Vietnam Technical Service Medal ribbon-First Class.svg
Vietnam Technical Service Medal ribbon-Second Class.svg
Training Service Medal
(First Class)
Training Service Medal
(Second Class)
Civil Actions Medal
(First Class)
Civil Actions Medal
(Second Class)
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Training Service Medal-First Class.png
Vietnam Training Service Medal-Second Class.png
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal-First Class.png
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal-Second Class.png
Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960- clasp.png
Vietnam Training Service Medal ribbon-First Class.svg
Vietnam Training Service Medal ribbon-Second Class.svg
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal ribbon-First Class.svg
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal ribbon-Second Class.svg
Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg
Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation (Vietnam).svg
Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg
VNCivilActionsRibbon-2.svg

North Korea

Awards and decorations of North Korea

Republic of Korea (South Korea)

Presidential Unit Citation (Korea).svg South Korean Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea War Service Medal ribbon.svg Korean War Service Medal
Order of National Security Merit
Tong-il Security Medal Ribbon.svg Tong-il Medal
Gugseon Security Medal Ribbon.png Gugseon Medal
Cheon-Su Security Medal Ribbon.png Cheon-Su Medal
Sam IL Security Medal Ribbon.png Sam-il Medal
Gwangbog Security Medal Ribbon.png Gwangbog Medal
Order of Military Merit
Taeguk Cordon Medal.png Taeguk Cordon Medal
Eulji Cordon Medal.png Eulji Cordon Medal
Chungmu Cordon Medal.png Chungmu Cordon Medal
Hwarang Cordon Medal.png Hwarang Cordon Medal
Inheon Cordon Medal.png Inheon Cordon Medal

Europe

East Germany

Orders, decorations, and medals of East Germany

West Germany

Order of Merit
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 9 Sond des Grosskreuzes.svg Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes (Grand Cross special class)
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 8 Grosskreuz bes Ausf.svg Großkreuz (Grand Cross 1st class, special design)
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 7 Grosskreuz.svg Großkreuz (Grand Cross 1st class)
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 6 GrVK Stern Band.svg Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband (Grand Cross with Star and Sash)
International equivalent: Großkreuz 2. Klasse (Grand Cross of Merit, Second class) or Großkomturkreuz (Grand Commander's Cross)
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 5 GrVK Stern.svg Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern (Knight Commander's Cross or Grand Cross with Star)
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 4 GrVK.svg Großes Verdienstkreuz (Halskreuz) (Commander's Cross or Grand Cross (Neck cross))
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 3 BVK 1Kl.svg Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse (Officer's Cross)
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 2 BVK.svg Verdienstkreuz am Bande (Cross) International equivalent: Ritterkreuz (Knight's Cross)
GER Bundesverdienstkreuz 1 BVM.svg Verdienstmedaille (Medal)

The President of the Federal Republic holds the Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes ex officio. It is awarded to him in a ceremony by the President of the Bundestag attended by the Chancellor, the President of the Bundesrat and the Supreme Court President. Other than the President of the Federal Republic, only a foreign head of state can be awarded with the highest class. There is also the provision of awarding the Großkreuz in a special rare design, in which the central medallion with the black eagle is surrounded by a stylized laurel wreath in relief. which has so far only been used twice: for Konrad Adenauer and for Helmut Kohl.

Soviet Union

Orders, decorations, and medals of the Soviet Union

International Organizations

Inter-American Defense Board

Inter-american defense board medal ribbon.svg Inter-American Defense Board Medal

International Commission of Control and Supervision

ICSC Ribbon.png International Commission for Supervision and Control Medal; Indo-China, (1954–1974)
International Commission of Control and Supervision Vietnam medal ribbon.png International Commission of Control and Supervision Service Medal, Vietnam (1973)

United Nations

United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg United Nations Service Medal
United Nations Medal ribbon.svg United Nations Medal

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron Cross</span> German military decoration and symbol

The Iron Cross was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, and later in the German Empire (1871–1918) and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). The design, a black cross pattée with a white or silver outline, was derived from the insignia of the medieval Teutonic Order and borne by its knights from the 13th century. As well as being a military medal, it has also been used as an emblem by the Prussian Army, the Imperial German Army, and the Reichswehr of the German Republic, while the Balkenkreuz variant was used by the Wehrmacht. The Iron Cross is now the emblem of the Bundeswehr, the modern German armed forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany</span> Federal decoration of Germany

The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only federal decoration of Germany. It is awarded for special achievements in political, economic, cultural, intellectual or honorary fields. It was created by the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Theodor Heuss, on 7 September 1951. Colloquially, the decorations of the different classes of the Order are also known as the Federal Cross of Merit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thanom Kittikachorn</span> Military dictator of Thailand from 1963-73 and briefly in 1976

Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was the leader of Thailand from 1963 to 1973, during which he staged a self-coup, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down. His return from exile in 1976 sparked protests which led to a massacre of demonstrators, followed by a military coup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Leopold (Belgium)</span> Belgian national honorary order of knighthood

The Order of Leopold is one of the three current Belgian national honorary orders of knighthood. It is the oldest and highest order of Belgium and is named in honour of its founder, King Leopold I. It consists of a military, a maritime and a civil division. The maritime division is only awarded to personnel of the merchant navy, and the military division to military personnel. The decoration was established on 11 July 1832 and is awarded by Royal order.

Sunthorn Kongsompong was the de facto head of government of Thailand from 1991 to 1992, after a military coup d'etat led by Sunthorn and General Suchinda Kraprayoon deposed the government of Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan on February 23, 1991. The generals accused Chatichai of corruption, and established the National Peacekeeping Council (NPKC) as an interim administration, with Sunthorn as chairman.

Authorized foreign decorations of the United States military are those military decorations which have been approved for wear by members of the United States armed forces but whose awarding authority is the government of a country other than the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohamed Hussein Tantawi</span> Egyptian Field marshal and former statesman (1935–2021)

Mohamed Hussein Tantawi Soliman was an Egyptian field marshal and politician. He was the commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces and, as chairman of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, was the de facto head of state from the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak on 11 February 2011 until the inauguration of Mohamed Morsi as president of Egypt on 30 June 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wan Waithayakon</span> Thai prince and diplomat

Wan Waithayakon, known in the West as Wan Waithayakon (1891–1976), was a Thai royal prince and diplomat. He was President of the Eleventh Session of the United Nations General Assembly (1956–1957), while serving as Thailand's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He was a grandson of King Mongkut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of the German Eagle</span> Nazi German award given to sympathetic foreigners.

The Order of Merit of the German Eagle was an award of the German Nazi regime, predominantly to foreign diplomats. The Order was instituted on 1 May 1937 by Adolf Hitler. It ceased to be awarded following the collapse of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II in Europe. The wearing of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle is prohibited in the Federal Republic of Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Merit Order (Bavaria)</span> Award

The Bavarian Military Merit Order was established on 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It was the kingdom's main decoration for bravery and military merit for officers and higher-ranking officials. Civilians acting in support of the army were also made eligible for the decoration. The Military Merit Order ranked below the Military Order of Max Joseph (Militär-Max-Joseph-Orden), which was Bavaria's highest military honor for officers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Merit Cross (Prussia)</span> Award

The Military Merit Cross was the highest bravery award of the Kingdom of Prussia for non-commissioned officers and enlisted soldiers. It was also known as the Golden Military Merit Cross to distinguish it from the Military Decoration 1st Class, a lesser Prussian enlisted bravery decoration which was an identical cross but in silver. The Military Merit Cross came to also be known as the "Pour le Mérite for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men", after the Pour le Mérite, Prussia's highest military decoration for officers.

The honours system in the Republic of Austria is a means of rewarding individuals' personal achievement, or service to Austria by state decorations and medals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albert Order</span> Order of merit in the Kingdom of Saxony

The Albert Order was created on 31 December 1850 by King Frederick Augustus II of Saxony to commemorate Albert III, Duke of Saxony. It was to be awarded to anyone who had served the state well, for civil virtue, science and art.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trần Ngọc Tám</span>

Lieutenant General Trần Ngọc Tám was an officer of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chae Myung-shin</span> South Korean general (1926–2013)

Chae Myung-shin was a South Korean army officer who commanded South Korean military forces in the Vietnam War. He was also the co-founder of the Korean Taekwondo Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Praphas Charusathien</span> Thai military officer and politician

Praphas Charusathien was a Thai military officer and politician. He was a field marshal of the Royal Thai Army and minister of interior in the governments of military rulers Sarit Thanarat and Thanom Kittikachorn.

This is a list of Orders, decorations, and medals of Austria-Hungary.

The system of Orders, decorations, and medals of South Vietnam came into being with the establishment of the National Order of Vietnam in 1950. Established by Bảo Đại, the head of state of the State of Vietnam, the order was the highest award of the state for both civilians and military personnel. This level of precedence continued under the government of South Vietnam. Lower ranking awards for both the military and civilians were subsequently established. The systems of civilian and military awards had their own order of precedence.