Authorized Federal Awards and Decorations
Military members are, in fact, authorized to wear certain identified federal awards and decorations presented by agencies other than the Department of Defense. These decorations are identified in the individual service in which the service member serves.
Army regulation AR 670-1 Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia (2005) was used to compile the list for the US Army.
Marine Corps regulation MCO 1020.34H v2 (May 2018) was used to compile the list for the US Marine Corps.
NAVPERS 15665J regulation was used to compile the list for the US Navy.
Air Force Instruction 36-2903 (Feb 2020) was used to compile the list for the US Air Force.
| Authorized for wear on the US Army uniform | |
| Presidential Medal of Freedom Presidential Citizen’s Medal NASA Space Flight Medal Public Health Service Commendation Medal Public Health Service Achievement Medal Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal Merchant Marine Gallant Ship Citation Merchant Marine Mariner’s Medal Merchant Marine Combat Medal Merchant Marine Defense Medal |
Merchant Marine Atlantic War Zone Medal Merchant Marine Pacific War Zone Medal Merchant Marine Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Medal Merchant Marine Victory Medal Merchant Marine Korean Service Medal Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Medal Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal Merchant Marine Philippine Defense Ribbon Merchant Marine Philippine Liberation Ribbon Public Health Service Unit Award National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation |
| Authorized for wear on the US Marine Corps uniform | |
| Presidential Medal of Freedom National Security Medal National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal National Intelligence Medal of Achievement NASA Distinguished Service Medal NASA Flight Medal NASA Medal for Exceptional Bravery Congressional Space Medal of Honor |
Merchant Marine Gallant Ship Unit Citation Merchant Marine Defense Bar Merchant Marine Combat Bar Merchant Marine Atlantic War Zone Merchant Marine Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Merchant Marine Pacific War Zone Merchant Marine Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal Merchant Marine Korean Service Bar Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Bar |
| Authorized for wear on the US Navy uniform | |
| Presidential Medal of Freedom Presidential Citizens Medal National Security Medal National Sciences Medal Medal for Merit National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal National Intelligence Medal of Achievement Navy Award for Distinguished Achievement Science NASA Distinguished Service Medal NASA Flight Medal NASA Medal for Exceptional Bravery NASA Medal for Exceptional Service National Sciences Medal Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal Merchant Marine Mariners Medal Merchant Marine Gallant Ship Unit Citation |
Merchant Marine Combat Bar Merchant Marine Korean Service Bar Merchant Marine Vietnam Service Bar Merchant Marine Expeditionary Medal Department of Commerce Gold Medal Department of Commerce Silver Medal Department of Commerce Bronze Medal NOAA Administrator's Award NOAA Corps Commendation Medal NOAA Special Achievement Award NOAA Unit Citation USPHS Distinguished Service Award USPHS Meritorious Service Medal USPHS Outstanding Service Medal USPHS Commendation Medal USPHS Achievement Medal Selective Service Distinguished Service Medal Selective Service Exceptional Service Award Selective Service Meritorious Service Award |
| Authorized for wear on the US Air Force uniform | |
| Presidential Medal of Freedom National Security Medal NASA Distinguished Service Medal Public Health Service Decorations Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal Public Health Service Commendation Medal |
Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal Merchant Marine Mariner’s Medal Merchant Marine Combat Bar Merchant Marine Atlantic War Zone Merchant Marine Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Merchant Marine Pacific War Zone |