Authorized foreign decorations of the United States military

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.

Policy and determination

The wear of foreign decorations may either be approved on a case-by-case basis or a general order may be declared allowing for blanket approval to all U.S. service members to wear a particular non-U.S. decoration.

The following is a list of foreign decorations which have been approved at one time for wear on United States military uniforms. Such awards are always worn after all United States decorations and before international military awards. The list below is by no means comprehensive, but does display the awards which have been bestowed to U.S. service members by the governments of foreign countries.

Awards of specific nations

Argentina

80px Order of the Liberator General San Martin
80px Order of May in Military Merit

Argentinian decorations are only rarely awarded to senior US officers, most of those senior U.S. officers have been in the United States Southern Command & United States Southern Command Air Forces Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Australia

80px Order of Australia (Military Division)

Australian decorations are only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers, at the Joint Chiefs of Staff level

Austria

80x80px Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria

This award consists of fifteen classes, of which the second class was awarded to Dwight D. Eisenhower.

80px Decoration for Services to the Liberation of Austria

Bahrain

80px The Khalifiyyeh Order of Bahrain

Kingdom of Bahrain decorations were only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers. Most of those senior US officers in the United States Central Command as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Belgium

80px Order of Leopold
80px Order of the African Star
80px Royal Order of the Lion
80px Order of the Crown
80px Order of Leopold II
80px Military Cross
80px Croix de Guerre

Belgian Orders were awarded to senior U.S. officers, while the War Cross was presented to any rank for valor during World War I & World War II. A Fourragère could also be awarded to individuals in units that were cited twice in the Order of the Day.

Bolivia

80px Order of Naval Merit
80px Order of Aeronautical Merit

Bolivian decorations are only rarely awarded to senior U.S. officers, most of those senior US officers have been in the United States Southern Command & United States Southern Command Air Forces Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Brazil

80px National Order of the Southern Cross
80px Order of Defence Merit
80px Order of Military Merit
80px Order of Naval Merit
80px Order of Aeronautical Merit
80px Order of Rio Branco
80px Santos-Dumont Merit Medal

Brazil's highest orders of merit were rarely awarded to senior U.S. officers, during World War II.

In the 21st century United States military most of those post World War II era presentations are still only awarded to senior US officers, most of those senior U.S. officers have been in the United States Southern Command & United States Southern Command Air Forces Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Bulgaria

80px Order of the Madara Horseman

Bulgarian decorations are only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers. Most of those were awarded to the United States European Command Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Canada

80px Order of Canada
80px Order of Military Merit
80px Meritorious Service Cross
80px Meritorious Service Medal

Canadian decorations were mainly awarded during World War I and World War II. The Meritorious Service Cross and Meritorious Service Medal are currently the only Canadian awards still being awarded to US personnel today. Most of those are awarded to senior U.S. officers in the United States European Command, United States Northern Command or North American Aerospace Defense Command usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Chile

80px Order of Merit

Chilean decorations were only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers during World War II.

Taiwan

80px Order of National Glory
80px Order of Blue Sky and White Sun
80px Order of the Sacred Tripod
80px Order of the Cloud and Banner

Taiwanese decorations were only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers during World War II.

Colombia

80px Order of Boyaca
80px Order of San Carlos
80px Order of Military Merit Antonio Nariño
80px Order of Military Merit José María Córdova
80px Order of Naval Merit Admiral Padilla
80px Air Force Cross of Aeronautical Merit
80px Order of Health Merit Jose Fernandez Madrid

Colombian decorations are only rarely awarded to senior U.S. officers, most of those senior US officers have been in the United States Southern Command & United States Southern Command Air Forces Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Croatia

80px Order of Duke Trpimir
80px Order of Duke Branimir

Croatian decorations are only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers. Most of those were awarded to senior US officers in the United States European Command usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic

80px Order of the White Lion
80px Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic, First Class

Czech Order of the White Lion was only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers. The Czechoslovak War Cross was a little more commonly awarded to officers, than the Czech Order of the White Lion was, during World War I and World War II.

Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defense First Class are only rarely awarded to the United States European Command Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Denmark

80px Order of the Elephant

Danish decorations were only rarely awarded to senior U.S. officers, during World War II.

Ecuador

80px Order of Abdon Calderón

Ecuadorean decorations were only rarely awarded to senior U.S. officers, during World War II.

Egypt

80px Order of the Nile
80px Order of the Republic
80px Egyptian Order of Merit

Egyptian decorations were only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers. Most of those senior U.S. officers in the United States Central Command as "end-of-tour" decorations.

El Salvador

80px Gold Medal for Distinguished Service Medal

Salvadoran decorations are only rarely awarded to senior U.S. officers, most of those senior U.S. officers have been in the United States Southern Command & United States Southern Command Air Forces Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Estonia

80px Estonian Cross of Liberty (Military)
80px Order of the White Star
80px Military Order of the Cross of the Eagle

Estonian decorations are only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers. Most of those were awarded to senior U.S. officers in the United States European Command usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

France

80px Legion of Honour
80px Order of Liberation
80px Military Medal
80px National Order of Merit
80px Order of Academic Palms
80px Medal of a liberated France
80px French Commemorative Medal
80px Medal of National Defense

;Croix de Guerre (Cross of War)

:80px Croix de guerre 1914–1918

:80px Croix de guerre 1939–1945

:80px Croix de guerre des Théatres d'Opérations Exterieures

File:Fourragère CG.png|Fourragère aux couleurs de la Croix de guerre 1914–1918

</gallery>

French decorations were presented to U.S. service members extensively during World War I and World War II. By far, the Croix de guerre was the most commonly bestowed decoration to United States service members of all ranks. Today, members of United States 5th Marine Regiment and 6th Marine Regiment, the Army's 2nd Infantry Division, the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, the Army's 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, the 1st BN U.S. 28th Infantry Regiment, and the National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade Separate Brigade are authorized to wear a Fourragère aux couleurs de la Croix de guerre, signifying the award of three Croix de guerre to each unit during World War I, but only while that individual is assigned to the unit. The wearing of the decoration is considered ceremonial and the fourragère is not entered as an official military award in permanent service records.

The Legion of Honour was awarded on June 15, 2015, SSgt Greggory Swarz. Staff Sgt. Greggory Swarz, with the 492nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, received the Legion of Honor during the International Paris Air Show, according to U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Swarz pulled three French airmen out of a fire that erupted after a Greek F-16 crashed on Los Llanos Air Base, Spain, in January during a multinational exercise. The two Greek pilots and nine French airmen died.

The Legion of Honour was awarded on August 24, 2015, to two US Servicemen. Specialist Alek Skarlatos, a National Guardsman based in Oregon, and Airman First Class Spencer Stone, were awarded the Legion of Honour by French President Francois Hollande saying they "gave a lesson in courage" by subduing a heavily armed attacker on a high-speed train carrying 500 passengers to Paris on August 21, 2015.

The National Order of the Legion of Honor is mostly awarded to senior U.S. officers and Senior Enlisted Advisors in the United States European Command usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

The National Order of Merit is awarded to lower ranking U.S. officers (Brigadier General - Major) and Senior Non-commissioned officers assigned to the United States European Command usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

The French Commemorative Medal and the French Medal of National Defense can be awarded to any foreign military member who has served under French command. These are the only French medals still being awarded to U.S. personnel today.

There is an additional badge which can be earned by U.S. Service members upon successful participation and completion of the French Desert Commando Course in Djibouti, Africa. The course location is called Centre d'entraînement au combat d'Arta Plage, but more currently called CECAD (Centre d'entraînement au combat et d’aguerrissement de Djibouti). The badge is individually serialized to the service member who earned it.

Germany

Bundeswehr Crosses & Medal of Honor

:80px Bundeswehr Cross of Honour for Valour

:80px Bundeswehr Gold Cross of Honor for Outstanding Deeds

:80px Bundeswehr Cross of Honor

80px Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
80px German Sports Badge (Military)
80px German Armed Forces Military Proficiency Badge
80pxGerman Armed Forces Marksmanship Badge

German decorations have been awarded to United States soldiers beginning as far back as the American Revolution. By the time of the First World War, German decorations had faded from the military memory of the United States and, during the actual conflict where Germany and America were on opposing sides, the wear of any German decoration by an American soldier would have been unthinkable.

The sole authorization of a Nazi decoration to U.S. personnel was in 1938 when the Order of the German Eagle was awarded to a small number of U.S. military personnel who had either served in Germany in a diplomatic posting or who had performed an act of service to the German state. The Order was entered in service records, but was never authorized for display on a United States uniform.

In the 21st-century United States military, the German Proficiency and Marksmanship Badges are far more commonly awarded, mainly to U.S. Army and Air Force personnel. The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany was last awarded to a US officer in 2015 and is today rarely awarded to only very senior U.S. officers. Most of those senior U.S. officers were in the United States European Command usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Greece

80px Order of the Redeemer
80px Order of George I
80px Order of the Phoenix

Greek decorations were only very rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers, during World War II.

Guatemala

80px Order of the Quetzal
80px Guatemalan Armed Forces Cross
80px Cross of Military Merit (1st, 2nd and 3rd classes)

Guatemalan decorations are only rarely awarded to senior U.S. officers, most of those senior U.S. officers have been in the United States Southern Command & United States Southern Command Air Forces Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations. Generals MacArthur and Eisenhower were awarded the Cross of Military Merit, 1st Class after World War II.

Haiti

80px National Order of Honour and Merit

Haitian decorations were only rarely awarded to senior U.S. officers, during World War II.

Honduras

80px Honduran Armed Forces Cross

Honduran decorations are only rarely awarded to senior U.S. officers, most of those senior U.S. officers have been in the United States Southern Command & United States Southern Command Air Forces Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Hungary

80px Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary

Hungarian decorations are only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers. Most of those were awarded to the United States European Command Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Iceland

80px Order of the Falcon

Icelandic decorations are only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers. Most of those were awarded to the United States European Command Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Iraq

80px Gold Award of the Iraqi Order of the Date Palm

Iraqi decorations are only awarded to very senior U.S. officers, most of those were awarded to the Multi-National Force - Iraq Commander as "end-of-tour" decorations.

To date the only person that has been allowed to wear any Iraqi award has been General Petraeus, Multi-National Force - Iraq Commander.

Israel

80px Service in Israel Medal

The Service in Israel Medal is awarded to military attachés who serve at least two years in Israel upon the end of their assignment with the IDF. First instituted in 2007, it is still a somewhat rare decoration and there are certain restrictions regarding its display (or in some case, even its mention) for U.S. personnel stationed in other Middle Eastern Arab countries who are on unfriendly terms with Israel .

Italy

80x80px Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
80x80px Military Order of Italy
80px Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity
80x80px Order of the Crown of Italy
80x80px Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
80px War Cross
80px Commemorative Italian East Africa Operations Medal

Italian decorations are only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers. The first presentations of Italian decorations to U.S. personnel were made in the months following World War II. This was mainly done to foster a new era of friendly relations between the US and Italy.

There are post-World War II presentations, but most of those medals are awarded to officers assigned in Italy. The Italian Orders are mainly awarded to senior U.S. officers in the United States European Command usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Japan

80px Order of the Rising Sun
80px Order of the Sacred Treasure

The first presentations of Japanese decorations to U.S. personnel were made in the months following World War II when the new Japanese government presented several decorations to senior U.S. military officers then in charge of the occupation force garrisoning Japan. This was mainly done to foster a new era of friendly relations between the US and Japan and to recognize the joint and allied nature which the new Japanese Self Defense Force would have with the United States armed forces. Some awards were discontinued after the Second World War, such as the Order of the Golden Kite.

Today Japanese decorations are only awarded to senior U.S. officers in the United States Pacific Command usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Kuwait

80px Kuwait Liberation Medal

The Kuwait Liberation Medal was awarded to all U.S. service members who served in the theater of operations during the "Operation Desert Shield" and "Operation Desert Storm" phase of the Gulf War, between 2 August 1990 and 31 August 1993.

Lithuania

80x80px Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas

Lithuanian decorations are only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers. But most of those were awarded to the United States European Command Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Luxembourg

80px Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
80px Order of Adolphe of Nassau
80px Order of the Oak Crown
80px Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
80px Military Medal
80px Luxembourg War Cross
80px Cross of Honour and Military Merit

Luxembourg decorations were presented mainly during World War II. There have been some rare post-World War II presentations, but most of those were awarded to the United States European Command Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

The Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau was founded by Grand Ducal decree on 31 March 1858 by King-Grand Duke William III. The honour was to be shared between both branches of the House of Nassau, under agreement between William, King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Adolphe, Duke of Nassau and future Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

International March of Diekirch Medal, At the completion of 1 20 km march, 1 40 km march, or 2 40 km marches within 48 hours, personnel are entitled to wear the International March of Diekirch Medal.

Mexico

80px Order of the Aztec Eagle
80x80px Mexican Medal of Military Merit

Mexican decorations were mainly presented to very senior U.S. officers during World War II. There have been some rare post-World War II presentations, but these are mainly confined to the senior ranks of the U.S. military.

Montenegro

80px Order of Prince Danilo I of Montenegro

Montenegrin decorations were only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers during World War I.

Morocco

Order of Ouissam Alaouite

:80px 1913–1956 Order of Ouissan Alaouite

:80px Order of Ouissam Alaouite

The Order of Ouissam Alaouite was awarded mainly to United States military officers who had served on the Operation Torch planning staff during World War II. In the film Patton, George C. Scott plays then Major General George S. Patton who is awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite at the start of the film. There have been some rare post-World War II presentations, but these are mainly confined to the senior ranks of the U.S. military.

The Netherlands

80px Military Order of William
80px Order of the Netherlands Lion
80px Order of Orange Nassau
80px Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau
80px Cross for the Four Day Marches
Dutch Military Proficiency Badge

The Dutch presented awards to U.S. service members mainly during World War II; the Honorary Sabre was very rarely awarded to very senior US officers. There have been some rare post-World War II presentations, but most of those were awarded to the United States European Command Commander, usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

The Cross for the Four Day Marches, also known as the Holland Four Day Event Cross, is currently earned by U.S. military personnel who complete the annual event.

Nicaragua

80px Nicaraguan Cross of Valor
80px Nicaraguan Medal of Military Merit

Nicaraguan medals were somewhat commonly awarded to U.S. Marine and Navy personnel, during the Nicaraguan Campaigns of 1912 & 1933.

Norway

Modern Authorized Awards

Source:

80px Norwegian Order of Merit
80px Norwegian Defense Intelligence Service Medal
80px Norwegian Army Medal of Merit
Norwegian Defense International Service Medal

Norwegian Skill Badges

Source:

80px Order of St John

Military Decorations

80px Distinguished Service Order
80px Conspicuous Gallantry Cross
80px Distinguished Service Cross
80px Military Cross
80px Distinguished Flying Cross
80px Air Force Cross

Campaign Medals

80px Africa Star
80px Pacific Star
80px Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan
80px Iraq Medal

Britain's highest award for gallantry the Victoria Cross has only been awarded to one U.S. military member, the U.S. Unknown Soldier was awarded the Victoria Cross, on November 11, 1921.

United Kingdom decorations were awarded extensively to U.S. service members during both the First World War and World War II. The orders of chivalry were reserved mainly for senior U.S. military leaders. The remaining decorations were awarded frequently amongst the entire enlisted and officer corps of the U.S. military. The Distinguished Flying Cross was a common decoration for those Americans attached to the Eagle Squadrons; when some of those personnel transferred back to the United States Army Air Forces after America entered the war, the British DFC became a fairly common sight on U.S. uniforms during that time period.

In the 21st century United States military, the awarding of British decorations to U.S. service members is still somewhat common, most often to officers assigned in England or other various capacities with NATO European based defense groups.

Uruguay

80px Aeronautical Merit Medal
80px Medal of Military Merit

Uruguayean decorations are only rarely awarded to senior U.S. officers, most of those senior U.S. officers have been in the United States Southern Command & United States Southern Command Air Forces Commander usually as "end-of-tour" decorations.

Vatican City

80px Pian Order
80px Order of St Gregory the Great
80px Order of St. Sylvester
80px Order of the Holy Sepulchre

Vatican awards of Pontifical Equestrian Orders of Chivalry are made by the Vatican Secretary of State in the name of the Sovereign Pontiff and may be accepted and retained by U.S. Military personnel as honorary merit awards and not for wear of the U.S. Military Uniform.

Yugoslavia

80px Order of the White Eagle

The Order of the White Eagle was only rarely awarded to very senior U.S. officers, during World War II.

References

"Case Reference Guide for the authorization of military awards and decorations", Military Personnel Records Center; St. Louis, Missouri
SECNAVINST 1650.1H (Navy Awards Manual)
AFI 36-2803 (Air Force Awards and Decorations Program)
AR 670-1 Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia [https://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r670_1.pdf]
AR 600-8-22 Military Awards Appendix D, Foreign Badges, and E, Foreign Awards [https://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_8_22.pdf]

Policy and determination

Awards of specific nations

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Bahrain

Belgium

Bolivia

Brazil

Bulgaria

Canada

Chile

Taiwan

Colombia

Croatia

Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic

Denmark

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Estonia

France

Germany

Greece

Guatemala

Haiti

Honduras

Hungary

Iceland

Iraq

Israel

Italy

Japan

Kuwait

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Mexico

Montenegro

Morocco

The Netherlands

Nicaragua

Norway

Modern Authorized Awards

Norwegian Skill Badges

Uruguay

Vatican City

Yugoslavia

See also

References