Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), Commendation Medal devices, Miniature Commendation Medal and Ribbon

[@davidcogburn6725]

Also can be awarded to civilians. As an employee of the US Army Corps of Engineers, I received four Commendation Medals and Army Achievement medals for services during emergency operations after disasters and tours in Afghanistan.

[@actionjackson5270]

In 1982 out in the field at Ft Polk Louisiana PFC Robert Walker and I ran into a Mess Tent fire caused by a Bunson burner blowing up inside right in front of us. As soon as it blew up we all ran out because the Mess tent was fully engulfed. I asked Bob where Sgt Clark was? Before he answered we both ran into the tent picked up Sgt Clark who was on fire and ran out of the tent we quickly rubbed dirt and sand all over him and put the fire out. A Spec 4 was telling us to rub dirt and sand on Sgt Clark which we already were doing. That Speck 4 got the Commedation medal, a month later from our Batallion Commander LTC Duffy. Bob and I couldn’t believe it. But the good news is Sgt Clark survived after 3 surgeries and skin graphs from Ft Sam Houston Brooke Army Hospital Burn unit. 6 months later when Sgt Clark was healing he personally thanked Bob and I for saving his life!

[@la_old_salt2241]

His personal thanks was worth more than a medal as I'm sure you'd agree. Good job, BZ.

[@bitsnpieces11]

I got mine (5) in Vietnam in 1968. Took a lot of effort to do so.

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

well done!

[@YasselAlvarez33157]

Thank you for your sacrifice.

[@griffisjm]

What does it mean? Is it a good medal? I was looking through some of my dads Vietnam stuff and found the paperwork and certificate?

[@la_old_salt2241]

​@griffisjm Yes, it is a good medal. They really all are because they tell your dad's service story.

[@dw7094]

The Army cut back on awarding the ARCOM from 1975-1981. They then brought about the Army Achievement Medal and handed them out like candy. Guys that had been previously awarded ARCOM's for Valor and Merit, soon received AAM's as PCS award. The same award a PFC would get for soldier of the month. What a slap in the face! With the start of the Gulf War, the awards began to flow again. Saw a lot of Bronze Stars, and some downgrades to ARCOM's with V Devices. Hadn't seen that since Vietnam. I retired shortly after that. Have no idea what goes on today.

[@cbrusharmy]

I have one with "V," and one that would have a "C" now that they are authorized. I'm assuming they would be spaced on the medal in that order, without any oak leaf clusters. I've been out of uniform for so long, the chances of my getting back in are slim, but one does like to update every so often.

[@markcollins2666]

My first experience with the ARCOM was in REFORGER 1977, a general showed up at our support element, 2'nd Corps Support Command, with one ARCOM to award. The brass pulled a name out of the element roster, and got a kid that had arrived the day before yesterday. We all shook his hand, as if he hit the lottery, which he had! He was a pretty good kid! Since it doesn't call for a citation, they don't have to state why you got it. I finally got mine, on my last day in the Army, no citation, but still, I am grateful that someone upstairs was thinking about me, in my basement, ACTUAL jail cell office.

[@mikethemechanic7395]

Spent one summer in the field in 95. I was the only E4 who had a license for everything. I volunteered for everything. Got my Arcom for my hard work.

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

Nice to see your outstanding service recognized.

[@11bravoNRD]

THANK YOU! I just realized I've been wearing mine all wrong because of what I was told for a DECADE! I have 1 V device and 3 other awards. I was told that I was to wear a V with 2 oak leaf clusters because the ribbon itself was an award.

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

good to hear. Thank you for your service. Having a V for Valor is a big deal.

[@daveowens9849]

I earned mine in 1988 when I scored the highest 67V20 SQT score in the Army. One point short of maxing the score. 99! Surprised me. Air Cav! Hooah!

[@supay6537]

Such fantastic video. Bravo 👏🏼 ⚡️🫡

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

Glad you liked it!

[@mikestanton2790]

I got my arcom from duty on fsb Lance

[@davidjarkeld2333]

7:40 Why for 10 awards is a second ribbon worn, surely 2 silver oak leaves makes more sense?

[@felysitycha2629]

Another great video

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jbrunson1949]

I got mine in VietNam in 1970, but have no info on the letters, since I was in the northern most Prov. I would assume, that I should have the C, so how do you find out, the red diamond div. we could see North VietNam, from where I was.

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

the Army has not authorized the C for the Vietnam War.

[@joshuaplumb1]

Among my many in 25yrs I have 6 arcoms and 7 amm don't know how the rest of them are represented on my rack I do know I have 3 nat'l defense & 2 war on terror. Then there is my state awards. 5 counterdrug.

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

you don’t see many silver oak leaves like that. well done 👍

[@markm994]

Thanks very nicely done.

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

Many thanks!

[@jumpmastermp21]

No more that 4 devices. My Dad had 10 champaigns in the ETO. How would that be displayed on his service ribbon?

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

two “ silver campaign stars” ⭐️ ⭐️

[@Greighps]

I wonder why the Army decided to only retroactively award the “C” and “R” devices back to 2016. Many soldiers before that date, during GWOT, including myself, would be qualified to wear this with their ARCOMs.

[@MrBlaze256]

I have one and I don't even know what I did to get it.

[@ThickRunner]

Proud to be the 500th liker 😂❤ Great video, sir!

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

Thank you!

[@claybolen8059]

DD214 says ARCOM WITH 2 STARS but can't find out what 2 stars mean if anything.

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

stars do not make sense,if you had 3 awards it should be 2 oak leaf cluster.

[@willross4125]

Type area link.

[@carlmclelland7624]

I'm confused about something. I served in the Army (1967-70), with a tour of duty in Vietnam (7/68-7/69). I heard, and hopefully you can clarify this, that all Vietnam veterans were issued the Army Commendation Medal after the completion of a (satisfactory) tour of duty in a combat zone. (I'll presume that assignment at Dak To qualifies as a... "Combat Zone")?! Although my DD-214 doesn't show issuance of this medal, am I qualified to wear it? Thank you, sir, for your service, and Welcome Home.... Carl, 366th ASD, DakTo, 1968-69

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

appears we were at Dak To at the same time (173rd). sorry 😞 no truth to the blanket award of the ARCOM.

[@rhett1029]

What are those new books you have behind you?

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

There is a new Navy Book on all the medals and ribbons of the US Navy. The first copies just arrived. There are also new books on the Medal of the Republic of Vietnam and Her Allies and a new book covering all 70 UN medals and missions...Plus new booklets for all the services on ribbon and medal wear guides.

[@rhett1029]

@@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376 really awesome I have all the other branches books from you guys so that’s interesting to hear, I’ll have to pick it up

[@georgebenta3435]

Can you consider this a world war 2 medal? Was this awarded to world war 2 veterans? Most of the video focused on post war awards. I think the video said that its awarded in the 60s. Im just confused by the almost 80 years or world war 2 part.

[@mikeobrien4437]

If you have the Air Medal with 12 oak leaf clusters noted on a DD214 would you use a number 12 or what combination of silver and oak leaf clusters? Does your book explain these details?

[@markm994]

Each branch is different. I have one of his older versions of the book. That book version explains all that so I'm sure the new ones will also.

[@RottenCore69]

12 oak leaf clusters? That's probably a mess up. The U.S. Army devices for the Air Medal (at least currently) uses numerals, V device, and C device. I would say Numeral 12, unless this is from a previous era.

[@jimmehjiimmeehh9748]

The note in this video says that if you have too many devices to display on a single ribbon you wear a duplicate ribbon with the excess devices on it. That being said, 12 with the oak leaf system would be 2 silvers and a bronze so you'd be able to wear it normally.

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

2silver oakleafs and one bronze oakleaf for Korea and WW II, numerals since Vietnam: Now subsequent awards of the Air Medal are denoted in the U.S. Army by Numeral devices displayed on the medal and ribbon. The Army originally used oak leaf clusters to signify additional awards. However, this was changed to numeral devices in September 1968, during the Vietnam War, when the number of Air Medals awarded became too large to be annotated on a single ribbon. Since February 29, 1964, the medal may be awarded with a "V" Device for an act of heroism against an armed enemy less than the criteria for the Distinguished Flying Cross.

[@mikeobrien4437]

@@RottenCore69 Was an Army huey door gunner in Vietnam so think it is correct.

[@terryestate]

I got one. I left Army so it's in my drawer.

[@fabiorosario3501]

I met an old guy in the portuguese army that had this medal... I was wondering about it and how he got it 🤔😅

[@beautifulmountain6590]

My son was just awarded a army commendation medal with c device, but only handed him a piece of paper. No actual medal? Explain please

[@veteransmedalsworkshop-moa4376]

If he had already been awarded and presented an ARCOM then he would not receive another medal but just the C device to indicated the medal had been awarded in a combat area and not during peace time. Additional awards or devices do not come with another medal.

[@philthethotdestroyer4194]

supply probably had no medals left, they usually dont get to keep them anyways after the ceremony.

[@stevenm3823]

During my Army experience I 've seen this medal get abused numerous times by commanders who handed them out like candy to undeserving soldiers...I mean does carrying out a routine FTX task of delivering a couple cans of fuel to the TOC merit an ARCOM?....or does washing and bringing a vehicle to the location of a static display merit an ARCOM?....soldiers got ARCOMs for doing nothing but sleeping in their vehicles out in the treeline during an FTX..all their NCO or LT had to do was write up a good sounding, but fictional, citation for the BN Commander to read and approve...and it's even worse for AAMs...soldiers could get that for mopping the latrine!

[@ejmolloy2954]

The only ARCOM that's somewhat "prestigious" is an ARCOMV. Without the V device, it's nothing more than basically a "give me" award.

[@YasselAlvarez33157]

Maybe that’s what you’ve seen or got, I on the other hand, work my ass off in combat to get mine.

[@ejmolloy2954]

@@YasselAlvarez33157 here's my question to you. Does something really have value when it's given in mass? ARCOM is given as an EOT award regardless of a person's accomplishments.

[@YasselAlvarez33157]

@@ejmolloy2954 I would have to tell you my personal experience as 11 bravo deployed to Baghdad for 15 months, many firefights, eids, some didn’t come back… mine was for meritorious service as a M240B gunner. Everyone did their job well and got our CIB as well, as mass as you say.

[@ejmolloy2954]

@@YasselAlvarez33157 I was in the 03' invasion, 11B as well. Everybody got the ARCOM and CIB with blanket orders. Whatever... apparently everybody was John fuckin Rambo with you.

[@YasselAlvarez33157]

@@ejmolloy2954 no rambo here. But I was the fucking Devil over there, believe that. To me everyone was the enemy if you know what I mean. I hated the world.

[@willross4125]

Archives affirmated Sir,comendage Sir,civil art Sir,waiting for years Oldboy hahaha.whoothoo.nurses applicate vision Sir,to whom of yes Sir,