World War 2 Medals

U.S. Combat Medals of WWII

The following decorations were awarded for actions in combat or in aerial flight:

Medal of Honor

Well known as the country's highest decoration for valor. 3,549 have been awarded since 1863. 464 awarded in World War Two, including 37 to members of the USAAF, 2 Navy aces (Butch O'Hare - for whom the airport is named, and David McCampbell), and 9 USMC aces. Read more detail on WW2 aces that received the Medal of Honor. At least one Marine bomber pilot, Richard Fleming, also received the MOH.

There are a couple points of terminology worth noting. First, it is not the "Congressional" Medal of Honor. The President awards the MOH "in the name of Congress," but it is simply the "Medal of Honor." Second, the MOH is not "won," nor are the recipients "winners." It is awarded to or received by "recipients."

Distinguished Service Cross

Many of the high-scoring USAAF aces in World War Two (Gabreski, Johnson, Preddy, Meyer, MacDonald, Robbins, Voll, et al) earned a DSC. After the Air Force became a separate service, the Air Force Cross replaced the DSC for airmen.

Army Air Corps ace George "Wheaties" Welch received the DSC for his actions at Pearl Harbor:

"He immediately, on his own initiative, took off ... armed only with 30-caliber machine guns. [When] he observed a formation of approximately 12 planes ... he attacked and shot down an enemy dive bomber with one burst from three guns. At this point he discovered that one gun was jammed [and] his plane was hit by an incendiary bullet, which passed through the baggage compartment just in rear of his seat." Welch shot down another plane before he ran low on fuel. He landed at Wheeler Field to refuel and replenish his ammunition, then "immediately took off, headed straight into the attack [of a second wave of 15 planes] to the assistance of a brother officer who was being attacked from the rear." Welch shot down at least four planes that day even though his plane had "bullets striking his motor, propeller and cowling."

Original World War Two Distinguished Service Crosses (not replicas) have sold on Ebay for $50, $100, or more.

Navy Cross

One WWII Navy flier who received the Navy Cross was Ensign Leslie Lockhart Bruce Knox, an Australian who was serving with the USN. After the Battle of the Coral Sea, he was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant (jg) on 25 June 1942 and awarded the Navy Cross. The Citation read:

"For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as pilot of an aircraft in a fighting squadron in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea. On that evening, as one of the fighters launched to oppose enemy Japanese aircraft in the vicinity of his ship, Ensign Knox attacked a formation of seven enemy aircraft, shooting down one and assisting in the action which resulted in dispersing the others. In this engagement he displayed unusual skill and devotion to duty, carrying out his mission with determination and aggressiveness against great enemy odds and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. He failed to return from this action."

Decorations, Medals, Ribbons, Badges and Insignia of the United States Navy: World War II to Present by James G. Thompson.

Includes sections on Navy insignia, ranks, rates, & ratings, sleeve devices, service stripes, specialty marks, identification badges, wearing ribbons and medals, foreign decorations, aiguillettes, brassards, buttons, placement of devices, commemorative medals, etc.

Silver Star

It's difficult to find the total number of Silver Star, or other medals, awarded in World War II. Here are a few random statistics of Silver Star recipients:

• * 1600 to Jewish soldiers. Maybe 2 or 3 percent of U.S. population. That would suggest approximately 60,000 in total.
• * 84 awarded to the 82nd Airborne troopers.
• * 66 awarded to Army personnel at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Lt. Gerard J. Fannick, a co-pilot in a B-17 in the Mediterranean earned a Silver Star. His commendation follows:

"For extraordinary gallantry in action while participating in aerial flight as Copilot of a B-17 on 16 February 1945 in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. As Lieutenant Flannick's aircraft was completing its bomb run on the railyards at Bolzano, Italy it was fatally struck by enemy anti-aircraft fire. Lt. Flannick, although told by his pilot to bail out, courageously stayed at the controls of his aircraft to maintain its track on the bomb run and to give his crew time to bail out. Lt. Flannick knew, that as the Deputy Group and Squadron Lead, the other bombers would drop their bombs on his lead and that if he failed to do so, in all likelihood the target would be missed, adversely affecting the war effort. Moreover, he knew that if the aircraft fell out of the control, his fellow airmen would not be able to safely exit the plane, so with complete disregard for his own safety, he fought the controls, until after bomb release and his men exited the plane. Subsequent events revealed a successful strike on target and the safe landing of eight of his crew. Lt. Flannick and his flight engineer perished. Lt. Flannick's gallant, selfless and voluntary action in the face of great danger, which resulted in the loss of his own life reflects great credit on him and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Distinguished Flying Cross

The Eighth Air Force awarded 41,000 DFC's. Presumably, based on those numbers, virtually all 8AF aces received a DFC.

Capt. Gerard F. Wientjes, piloting a PBY Catalina earned a DFC for his dramatic resuce of downed airmen in New Guinea:

"For extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight over Dutch New Guinea on 31 July 1944. Captain Wientjes was the pilot of a Navy Catalina aircraft dispatched to rescue an air crew down at a lake in enemy territory. When he arrived over the lake he could see, from the bodies of Japanese soldiers lying about, that there had been a recent engagement. Fully realizing the vulnerability of the Catalina to possible enemy small arms fire, he landed without damage amid thick underwater grass, logs, and other debris and taxied to the very edge of the shore. He arranged for the necessary protection against probably hostile patrols and proceeded to direct the rescue of 10 men, 7 of whom were badly wounded. All of them were put into a life raft, then brought aboard the plane. After the crew had freed the wheels from the entangled grass and pushed the Catalina away from the shore to prevent it from running aground, he attempted a take off but failed because the load was excessive and the surface of the water was glassy. After all the gasoline that could be spared was dumped off, he made a successful takeoff in semi-darkness and brought the rescued personnel to a base where they were taken to a hospital. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Wientjes during this flight are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces."

Air Medal

Description: A bronze compass rose 1 11/16 inches circumscribing diameter and charged with an eagle volant carrying two lightning flashes in its talons. A fleur-de-lis at the top point holds the suspension ring. The points of the compass rose on the reverse are modeled with the central portion plain for engraving the name of the recipient.

Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/8 inch ultramarine blue 67118; ¼ inch golden orange 67109; center 5/8 inch ultramarine blue; ¼ inch golden orange; and 1/8 inch ultramarine blue.

The Eighth Air Force awarded 442,000 Air Medals in WW2.

One Captain James Hunter, a B-24 pilot with the 491st Bombardment Group, 854th Squadron, earned an Air Medal, which read in part: "For meritorious achievement in accomplishing with distinction several aerial operational missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by this individual in the face of determined opposition, materially aided in the successful completion of these missions. His actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States".

Bronze Star

Description: A bronze star 1 ½ inches in circumscribing diameter. In the center thereof is a 3/16-inch diameter superimposed bronze star, the center line of all rays of both stars coinciding. The reverse has the inscription "HEROIC OR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT" and a space for the name of the recipient to be engraved. The star is suspended from the ribbon by a rectangular shaped metal loop with the corners rounded.

Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/32 inch white 67101; 9/16 inch scarlet 67111; 1/32 inch white; center stripe 1/8 inch ultramarine blue 67118; 1/32 inch white; 9/16 inch scarlet; and 1/32 inch white.

Original WWII Bronze Star medals have sold for $15 or more on Ebay.

Purple Heart

The United States had 671,000 wounded in the Second World War; all were eligible for the Purple Heart.

Original WW2 Purple Heart medals (in good condition, with the case, etc.) have sold for over $50 on Ebay.

Prisoner of War Medal

Department of Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) estimates that 157,700 U.S. servicemen were captured in WW2: Germany, 130,200; Japan, 27,500; all eligible for the POW medal. The U.S. Army Air Forces, in the air war against Germany suffered 51,106 POWs, MIA's, evaders, and internees.

All requests for the POW Medal will be initiated by eligible former POWs, or their next of kin, using a personal letter or DD form 2510 (prisoner of War Medal Application/Information). Applications should be forwarded to the Commander, ARPERCEN, ATTN: DARP-VSE-A, 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, M0 63132-5200.

Women's Army Corps Service Medal

Description: A bronze medal, 1 ¼ inches in diameter, with the head of Pallas Athene in profile facing right, superimposed on a sheathed sword cross with oak leaves and a palm branch within a circle composed of the words "WOMEN’S" in the upper half, and in the lower half "ARMY CORPS". On the reverse, within an arrangement of 13 stars, is a scroll bearing the words "FOR SERVICE IN THE WOMEN’S ARMY AUXILIARY CORPS" in front of the letters "U S" in lower relief. At the top and perched on the scroll is an eagle with wings elevated and displayed and at the bottom, the date "1942-1943."

Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/8 inch Old Gold 67105; 1 1/8 inch Mosstone Green 67127; and 1/8 inch Old Gold.

American Campaign Medal

Description: The Bronze medal is 1 1/4 inches in width. On the obverse is a Navy cruiser under full steam with a B-24 airplane flying overhead with a sinking enemy submarine in the foreground on three wave symbols, in the background a few buildings representing the arsenal of democracy, above the scene the words "AMERICAN CAMPAIGN." On the reverse an American bald eagle close between the dates "1941 - 1945" and the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/16 inch oriental blue 67172; 1/16 inch white 67101; 1/16 inch black 67138; 1/16 inch scarlet 67111; 1/16 inch white; 3/16 inch oriental blue; center 1/8 triparted old glory blue 67178, white and scarlet; 3/16 inch oriental blue; 1/16 inch white; 1/16 inch scarlet; 1/16 inch black; 1/16 inch white; and 3/16 inch oriental blue.

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Description: The bronze medal is 1-1/4 inches in width. On the front is a tropical landing scene with a battleship, aircraft carrier, submarine and an aircraft in the background with landing troops and palm trees in the foreground with the words "ASIATIC PACIFIC CAMPAIGN" above the scene. On the reverse, an American bald eagle close between the dates "1941 - 1945" and the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/16 inch yellow 67108; 1/16 inch white 67101; 1/16 inch scarlet 67111; 1/16 inch white; ¼ inch yellow; center 1/8 triparted old glory blue 67178, white and scarlet; ¼ inch yellow; 1/16 inch white; 1/16 inch scarlet; 1/16 inch white; and 3/16 inch yellow.

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

World War II Victory Medal

Description: The bronze medal is 1 3/8 inches in width. On the front is a figure of Liberation standing full length with head turned to dexter looking to the dawn of a new day, right foot resting on a war god’s helmet with the hilt of a broken sword in the right hand and the broken blade in the left hand, the inscription "WORLD WAR II" placed immediately below the center. On the reverse are the inscriptions "FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND WANT" and "FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND RELIGION" separated by a palm branch, all within a circle composed of the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1914 1945."

Ribbon: The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/8 inch double rainbow in juxtaposition (blues, greens, yellows, reds (center), yellows greens and blues); 1/32 inch White 67101; center 9/16 inch Old Glory Red 67156; 1/32 inch White; and 3/8 inch double rainbow in juxtaposition. The rainbow on each side of the ribbon is a miniature of the pattern used in the WWI Victory Medal.

Highly Decorated Units of WW2

The 32nd Infantry Division, "The Red Arrow," earned 11 Medals of Honor, 157 Distinguished Service Crosses, 845 Silver Stars, 49 Legion of Merit, 78 Soldiers Medals, 1,854 Bronze Stars, 11,500 Purple Hearts, and 98 Air Medals.

During World War Two, the 101st Airborne Division spent 214 days in combat. In addition to 2 Medals of Honor awarded to Soldiers of the 101st, the Division awarded 47 Distinguished Service Crosses, 516 Silver Stars and 6,977 Bronze Stars.

Troopers of the 82d Airborne, the All Americans," were awarded three Medals of Honor, 70 Distinguished Service Crosses, 894 Silver Star Medals, 2,478 Bronze Star Medals, and numerous foreign decorations.

Airmen of the Eighth Air Force were awarded 17 Medals of Honor, 226 Distinguished Service Crosses, 864 Silver Stars, 45,977 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 442,300 Air Medals, and 2,984 Bronze Stars.

The 3rd Bombardment Group (of the Fifth Air Force) had established an impressive record. Its personnel had earned a Medal of Honor, 37 Distinguished Crosses, 187 Silver Stars, 159 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 17 Bronze Stars, 24 Soldiers’ Medals, 640 Air Medals and 257 Purple Hearts.

In World War II, Navy Corpsmen earned seven Medals of Honor, 61 Navy Crosses, 465 Silver Stars, and 982 Bronze Stars.