Why Military Service Medals Are Awarded

By Maj (R) Henry C. Schrader, Jr

This is my annual tribute to Veterans. I hope it helps you understand a little more about the awesome folks who protect our nation, past and present.

There are many pictures of military officers and enlisted soldiers with many ribbions or medals that seem to dominate parts of the more formal uniforms of service members. Many do not really know there meaning or why they were awarded. So, this Veteran’s Day Blog is about some of their meaning.

With very few World War II soldiers still alive, (my father is deceased), I want to explain some of the awards he received as a visual example of the service and sacrifice of military service and wars.

This is a tribute to all who served and will serve—you are not forgotten!

Not only did they risk their lives, but they also missed life events of the family and relatives. No award can replace that lost time. Many never returned and their families were left with medals and ribbons to remember their sacrifice.

In our Constitutional system, civilian control of the military is a key component to ensure the military performs at the will of our elected officials who represent us. When we who served are ordered to conflicts or deployments, we obey orders despite our personal beliefs or wishes.

We all owe a debt to those who served to protect our freedom.

This is an explanation about some of the awards a soldier might have received in the 3 wars my Dad fought in. He was a humble man, who loved his country, the military and the soldiers he led in 7 years of combat.

Most, even many veterans know all the service awards and medals of wars past, so I hope this will help you get an appreciation of the awards and if you see a solder with their medals or ribbions, ask about their service with dignity and let them know you care about what they did for our nation. Most will explian their meaning and in a way, it is their visual resume of military service.

World War II Awards (including the war build up phase)

My father served in the European Theater. He was awarded the following medals:

Army Defense Service Medal, awarded to personnel for active-duty service from 8 September 1939 to 7 December 1941 for a period of twelve months or longer.

European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal was awarded to personnel for service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater between 7 December 1941 and 8 November 1945.

The European-Middle East-Campaign Medal. The 3 stars indicate service at 3 different campaigns.

WW II Victory Medal was awarded to all military personnel for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946.

Amry Occupation Medal of WW II was awarded for 30 days or more post war for helping to rebuild Germany with the engineer unit he commanded.

Korean War

Korean Service Medal was awarded for service between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954.

United Nations Service Medal (Korea) was awarded for being a member of the coalition that fought in the Korean War,

Vietnam

Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in Vietnam.

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal was awarded for his yearlong service in the Republic of Vietnam (any period for six months during the period of 1 March 1961 and 28 March 1973 qualifies).

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. The 2 stars indication a year of service (6 months of service per star)

My Father’s Command Picture from Vietnam. He was a Maj. General Commanding the 18th Enigneer Brigade

There have been several other conflicts such as Desert Storm, the Iraq War and the Afganistan War, along with recent wars with Iran. Each has their award critieria similar to what I reported above.

All of these awards represnt huge scarifices from our service members.

I salute you all—You are not forgotten!

Maj (Retired) Hank Schrader Jr

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