At the time of the Second World War campaign medals existed which had been awarded back to the Civil War. Although I cannot know what the earliest campaign medals that an active member of the armed services serving in the Second World War might have worn, I have decided to arbitrarily begin the series of campaign medals with the China Campaign Metal of 1900.

Army ribbon bars are three-eighths inch (9 mm) high. Various devices may appear on ribbons. A bronze oak leaf cluster indicates an additional awards of the same medal. A silver oak leaf cluster is equal to five bronze ones. A star on a campaign medal indicates participation in a major engagement. A silver star equals five bronze stars. In 1944 a one-quarter inch arrowhead was authorized for wear on the campaign ribbons of those soldiers who particupated in a landing or combat jump on hostile territory. Most of the examples of ribbons pictured are originals and may have minor damage or fading. The links within the section go the a discussion of the background of the corresponding medal.

Medals for Valor or Meritious Service

Medal of Honor	Certificate of Merit	Distinguished Service Cross	Distinguished Service Medal	Legion of Merit

Silver Star	Distinguished Flying Cross	Soldier's Medal	Bronze Star V for valor	Air Medal

Purple Heart	American Typhus Commission 1942	Good Conduct

Campaign Metals (1900-1945)

China Campaign 1900	Cuban Pacification 1906	Mexican Service 1911	Mexican Border Service 1916	World War Victory 1918

Army of Occupation 1918	American Defense 1940	Women's Amry Corps 1941	American Campaign 1941	European-African-Mid East 1941

Euro Afro Mid East with two campaign stars and one assault arrowhead	Asiatic-Pacific 1941	World War Two Victory 1945

Distinguished Unit Awards

Distinguished Unit Citation 1942 Oak Leaf Cluster for additional award	Meritorious Unit Commendation 1944

Notes:

1. The Certificate of Merit was replaced by the Distinguished Service Medal in 1918 and in 1934 this was upgraded to a Distingusihed Service Cross.