Awards in the US Army

In this video im explaining some of the medals, awards and ribbons a soldier might receive while in the US Army.
* Keep in mind that the content in this video is intended for a general understanding of the topic. Im a US army veteran with over 10 years in the Army but some information in this video may not be included for time purposes. Always make sure to seek out additional information from an Army recruiter, career counselor or an appropriate Army representative for updated information and further details on the subject. *
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Christopher Chaos
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- I was active duty US Army for just over 10 years.
- I was an 88M (motor transportation operator).
- I got out as an E-5/ SGT.
- I was stationed at Fort Riley, JSA, Korea and Fort Carson.
- I deployed to Iraq twice.
- I currently (as of this video) work as civilian instructor for the Army.
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[@baldy943]

My Great Grandfather was on the beach on D-Day, Shot in the chest twice and still walked out alive. He received 2 Purple Heart medals.

[@bryanm5233]

The Greatest Generation!

[@wisemankugelmemicus1701]

My great grandpa didn't fight at Normandy, but he did fight in the Battle of Luzon during the Philliphines Campaign. He took out a Japanese machine gun and liberated a bunch of American POWs. He did not receive a Purple Heart, but he did receive a Silver Star. How you charge a machine gun and not get wounded? I can only guess.

[@2AForever-wi8yj]

when was he wounded the second time?

[@bluesrike]

@@wisemankugelmemicus1701 As a Filipino, I'd like to thank your great grampa.

[@wisemankugelmemicus1701]

@@bluesrike Then I'm sure you'll be glad to know he lived a long and fulfilling life and died in 2010. He was a great man until the day he died.

[@Putaspellonyou]

Thanks. Very informative. Cool story: as a reporter in the 1990s I got to write about a WWII infantry Lt. who received silver star sixty years after action in the Huertgun Forrest. Turns out his CO (who was wounded shortly after) put in a recommendation but the records were lost/destroyed. They met at a reunion and the CO wondered why the Lt. wasn't wearing his star. "What star?" Cool thing was the guy simply resubmitted the paperwork and there were enough surviving witnesses and corroborating records of the action that the Army agreed. Was pretty cool watching an 80-year old banker get pinned by a general with his grandkids and half the town watching.

[@womanplezer]

Nice story... Luv it.

[@jamesmlowe]

Wow! I was a guard, rifleman, machine gunner and my biggest bragging story was: I never let one man/woman who served with me get shot or killed. That is worth all the medals in the world to me.

[@johnstedman4075]

You should be very proud of your record Chris. Your service is much appreciated.

[@jamesfarrell8339]

I am a Marine Corps Veteran and I served from 1977 to 1981. What a incredible career you had in the United States Armey. Thank you for your service and dedication too our great Nation. Very impressive. I love your channel and I look forward to seeing new ones. You do a great job and I really enjoyed watching your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@christopherchaos]

Thank you!! and thank you for your service!

[@roofer3608]

In roofing if we fall off 5 times your qualified as an airborne Roofer. Needless to say, I'm qualify.

[@tomiebosques9801]

Roofer360 Lol!!!

[@raybrensike42]

Thank you for your service. Keep America dry.

[@Rohliable]

After 5 times, you're a pararoofer.

[@dennisthemenance5433]

dID sIMILAR , BUT OFF 75,100 & 125 fT tOWERS AND oN zIP lINE THEY CALL THEM nOW-A-DAYS! " Don't Thank Me!" I was DRAFTED and forced to fight so you din't have too !

[@matthewkinney276]

Your fucking funny!&a fucking dip shit!for falling off wtfe!you fall off!& obviously you have a brain injury to or you just brain dead you can cut the check for the brain injury I was strongly suggest stay the fuk off roofs!there air born.OVER & OUT!

[@Hurdle11C]

I'm proudest of my combat awards: Valorous Unit Award, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal with V.

[@josemoreno3334]

My brother served in the 1st. Cav. Div. in Vietnam in 1971-72. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals . I also like to thank all of you for your service and welcome home.

[@jesswebb5261]

My father had a really rare one. It was actually an attachment to his bronze star. I was for amphibious combat landings in other words he did five Saving Private Ryans.

[@Mr.Meerkat95]

I’m laughing at the way you worded it at the end lol. Sweet Jesus good on him!!!

[@BaronSamedi1959]

I'm not in the US Army but I was an officer in the Belgian Army and that got me the Knight's Cross of the Crown Order.

[@MickDRangerX]

From an American, much respect to you, sir.

[@floriandewulf705]

goed gedaan karl, trots op je

[@kristov29]

You have the rare ability to break down complicated subject matter into something easily understandable.

[@d_c-fq7fb]

My dad has 2 bronze stars and 3 meritorious service medals

[@clonetrooper9015]

Ahmad Amin what the hell are you talking about

[@thoughtfulgiovan5519]

Damn, your dads one BAMF

[@garydflatt4904]

@@ahmadamin3830 ----- Free transportation to your non-existent paradise proveded by Army.

[@OscarMoreno-qo8km]

He means his dad has been awarded the Bronze star twice, and the Meritorious service three times.

[@cooldevingames6245]

@@clonetrooper9015 what did he say he deleted his comment

[@montanamountainmen6104]

My father was 1st I.D. in Vietnam , he was awarded a Bronze Star with " V" device , Purple Heart with 2 oak leave clusters , ACM and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross. No to mention 2 Presidential unit citations , 3 MUC, and the RVN Civic Action Award and RVN Presidential Unit Citation.

[@kengrantham4176]

MontanaMountainMen, Damn, I am greatly impressed! I'm sure you are very proud of him!!

[@choctawnation-gc6zw]

Heeeey alright your fathers my brother i was with the big red one 03-06 stationed in germany and did a tour in iraq

[@113tidbits]

I was awarded these for my US ARMY service (86-93) Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal - 3 Awards, Good Conduct Medal - 2 knots (8yrs service), Army Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal - 3 Campaign Stars, Korean Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO School - Staff Sgt, Overseas Service Medal - 2 Tours (Korea, Germany), Saudi Arabia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal Joint Meritorious Unit Citation - 3 Awards Special Skill Badges: Parachutist Badge, Expert Rifleman, German Armed Forces Parachutist Badge, German Armed Forces Silver Marksmanship Rope

[@manolob63]

Hi,Sir ! Don't you receive the "Cold War " medal ? (the white or red )for your service in Germany ? thanks for your service ! take care and stay safe!

[@harshbansal7982]

@@manolob63 it wasnt a official medal .

[@JimChong-px7bc]

i salute you, sir!

[@jamesj2980]

I served 4 years in the US Air Force and was Awarded the AF Commendation medal for my Service in South East Asia during the Viet Nam War. I also served 16 years in the Michigan Army National Guard and was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for actions while on State Federal Duty during the 1977 Storm Emergency that lasted for 10 day.

[@jediguardiankyle]

I just got my first medal today for my deployment to Iraq and I didn’t know much about them and wanted to know more about them. Very informative thanks!

[@Phantomjutsu]

I was awared the Superior cadet medal in my JROTC class in highschool. I was pretty proud and honored by that.

[@pmushrush68]

One of my AAM's was for providing hay in my duece for the commander of Fort Hood. The hay was spread over the mud so he wouldn't get his boots dirty. I was just a private and my first medal.

[@dalehuitt]

Chris, great video. I am proud of every award. My Jump Master for the hard work it took to get there. Meritorious Service and Joint Service Commendation because of what went into those. The campaign ribbons. All of them. Lots of blood, sweat, tears and suffering.

[@samuelkariuki]

Hahaha..... Wish I was serving in the US army..... I have served in the Kenya army for 9years and 1day,three UN/AU tours in Somalia..... No medal... But my army discharge certificate indicates I have a medal of honor for participating in the liberation of the port of kismayu, South Somalia (AMISOM 2)

[@kengrantham4176]

samuel kariuki, Did you serve with Obama in the Kenya military? If so, was he a Private or a General? You might've known him as Barry Soetera

[@Sleeeppyyy]

Ken Grantham that’s funny as fuck lol

[@Rohliable]

Only in the US Army that they give medals on everything that you had done or accomplished.

[@djcosmosis4477]

~ HOOORAHHH ~ Much Respect To You ~ Thank You For Your Service ~

[@bearsausage8599]

thank you

[@KujoCasper563]

I earned one bronze star, two army commedation medals, Iraqi campaign medal with two stars, global war on terrorism medal, good conduct medal, national defense medal and a lovely CIB.

[@jamesgeorge1147]

My great uncle Charles George was in the korean war and he killed he was awarded the Medal Of Honor.

[@Outdoorsman2010]

Wow that is so cool no body in my Family was awarded a medal for valor

[@SovietWinnieThePoo]

Is he the one who the VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC is named after?

[@averagenbafan]

That’s amazing bro

[@NotASkinwalker6]

my grandpa has 3 purple hearts from the Vietnam War in Khe Sanh

[@AztekWarrior27]

Arcom with V and purple heart both earned in Afghanistan in 2011

[@choctawnation-gc6zw]

Got those in iraq in 04 fought back after getting hit by an IED. we were transporting supplies

[@marstondavis]

Thanks for your service. I'm proud of you.

[@Qweluana2]

Just wanted to say nice vid Chris, learned a lot!

[@TheTcbrown]

My Army of Occupation medal, as I'm one of the last few to receive it. I got to Berlin 3 days before the unification of Germany LOL

[@thehotdogman9317]

Nice! Wish I was there before it happened.

[@carlhuffman454]

@@thehotdogman9317 I got mine during the period I served in Berlin, (1-170 to 3-6-72). The Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Medal rounded out my awards. No awards for service in combat, since I was a spook in ASA.

[@carlhuffman454]

I worked as far south and east as you could go in West Berlin from 1-1-70 to 3-6-72. Good time to be there, but I would have enjoyed seeing the Wall come down. After all, you could hit with a rock from my work site, if you had a good arm. Does Rudow ring any bells with you? ASA all the way!

[@manolob63]

Hi,there 4 ! in which branch where you in the U.S. Berlin Brigade ? did you receive the white or red ribbon one CWV medal ? I served there too ....2nd French Army Corp Quartier Napoléon by the Engineers (? pioneers ?)

[@harshbansal7982]

manolo-b63 the ribbon is the same for everyone.

[@finleystips2201]

Thank you for keeping our great country safe god bless you man

[@mochawatte]

My favourite award is the participation award

[@TheEltopian]

Thank You for your service!

[@bostoncopguy]

I have the Massachusetts LE Medal of Valor and my department medal of valor. I am proud of those and a couple others. Good stuff bro!

[@dickb2128]

Chris, thanks for your service. I did almost eight years active duty in the AF and completed my 20 years in the AFRES. As regards the Joint Service Commendation Medal, it is awarded for excellent work while assigned to a joint US military organization. For example, Army, Navy, AF & Marines have been assigned to the National Security Agency and if they are recommended for a commendation medal it would be a Joint Service Commendation Medal. As far as working with our Allies re the JSCM, I'm not sure that would be the case but I honestly don't know. Thanks for a very informative video.

[@williamhowerton8633]

Christopher Chaos, thanks for your service.

[@skywalker39100]

Thank You for your Service! I myself received a Southwest Asia Medal, Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon & National Defense Medal. US ARMY Strong!

[@LoveOldMusic808]

I was the awards and decs guy for my last two squadrons, you did a nice job explaining the awards you covered. The medal that means the most to me is a hard question, I guess if I had to choose one it would be my Armed Forces Reserve Medal, I have a Gold and Bronze hourglass on it with an "M" device and a number 3.

[@kimberlybenedict]

Thank you so very much for your amazing video! You are very knowledgeable and it was very informative! Both of my children are in the military so all of your expertise was veryyyyy helpful! 😀

[@jmuhammad2602]

Gratitude for your Expertise.

[@Tktikipunch]

Woah. I was looking this up a while ago, and never got to finish it. Here I am again, and I forgot I even looked into this video. I wonder how much time passed? Also thanks for making this, I appreciate you.

[@alherrera3996]

Good job on explaining some of the awards

[@brentwallace7096]

they must give out more medals these days. I was in from Mar'71 to Jun'74. my proudest achievement was making Sgt(E-5). I'm 3rd generation military. my grandfather was in WWI, my dad served right at the end of WWII, and I served as stated above. thanks for the video.

[@debrayounger4446]

I attended the funeral for my friend, a Medal of Honor recipients nd enjoyed watching the major general in attendees salute pfcs

[@MnIronGuy187]

My grandfather has 2 silver stars, a bronze star, and the purple heart. Earned in the Korean War.

[@OnBelayClimbOn]

Thanks Chris great work!

[@joshsfx1157]

Thank you for your service!

[@bradleyharding4282]

Thank you for your service

[@eli25jk70]

Thanks for your service!

[@jammer3618]

CIB. No hero. A drafted grunt. 1968.

[@MickDRangerX]

Still a hero.

[@rauldavid1247]

11b ya baby!

[@bryanallen3939]

I was Marines, my highest medal was a Marine Corps Good Conduct medal. Got a Korea medal and arctic service ribbon. 6 ribbons, with a star on my sea service deployment ribbon. Proud of my peacetime grunt stack though

[@daviddellinger8684]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES.

[@AgiDaKinG]

Purple heart aka enemy marksmanship badge

[@toddkack1823]

We called it ftd. ..forgot to duck

[@arnoldziffle8779]

villen ....tough to duck an IED or EFP, but then you already knew this, right Einstein?

[@redbloodedamerican0523]

The purple hear is an award for someone who took a bullet for his country

[@Youre_Right]

Red blooded American 0 Really? What if they took shrapnel from a grenade?

[@redbloodedamerican0523]

You're Right smartass, and yeah that just as much of an honor.

[@KTChamberlain]

I thank you for your service.

[@Ravage_]

Love the video man I didn't know about half of these

[@iamthestig1]

Very nice. You've got quite the collection of awards there.

[@jonathanstout3252]

Thanks for your service

[@corentinc.948]

@Christopher Chaos - I am happy with your videos to know what the army entails. On the other hand... I am super happy the country I live in does not ask me to do any service(s) for my country. I would totally be destroyed mentally in the army, due to my aspergers.

[@tomtransport]

First, thank you for your service. Thanks for the informative video, good job.

[@joshrandall5297]

Thank you. Very informative. You failed to mention the V for Valor on the Bronze Star.

[@truckerdan2002]

Thank you for your honesty about the Bronze Star. It is given to Some E-6s for their leadership role. However it normally to E-7s and above for their leadership and some NEVER leave the base. So you can call this the Leadership Medal

[@curtiskennedy5996]

The medals I received that means the most for me was my first AAM and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM) for being in the Indiana Honor Guard

[@denisdegamon4461]

I was awarded the Army Comnendation Medal for my service, while state side as the Sr. Tactical Officer in the OCS program at Ft. Benning, GA in the late 70's. I was a 1st Lt. At the time and also acting Company XO. At the time of my service, was not commonly given to lieutenants .

[@thomasmccourt215]

Good Conduct Medal , 3 years without getting caught

[@tmcgrenere]

Thanks. My favorite scene in Heartbreak Ridge was when the young officer mistakenly called the old Gunny Sgt. sir due to all his decorations and medals on his uniform, until he saw the rank. Eastwood Rules!

[@ColRAPR]

Outstanding !!

[@ranger6729]

How about an Air Medal (received as an Infantryman). Pilot (WO) was shot twice and "talked" me into landing a OH-6a Observation helicopter in Vietnam. It crashed (of course), but we both survived. Luckily the Army did not make me pay for the damages.

[@eliduttman315]

May not be BS. Air Medals are a dime a dozen. I served during the Vietnam era and was briefly in contact with an E4 who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was crew chief on a UH1 helicopter that got into a VERY nasty situation, with both WOs wounded/dead. He brought the "bird" back to base and (I believe) helped save a WO's life. Life is not fair and that fine man was medically discharged with 100% service connected disability due to rheumatoid arthritis.

[@cjpharmboy]

Quattro Bitch! You’re a piece of shit

[@sparks2spare782]

Quattro Bitch! No it’s legit. My father received an Air Medal flying OH-6A LOACH missions in the 1st/9th Air Cav 69-71.

[@hubertk9051]

thanks sergeant, my favourite medal is probably silver star, big thx for information about medals in your country

[@ericmillikan7622]

Christopher in regards to this video, ribbon racks will look a lot different now without the NDSM and no combat deployment. So a video on how a soldiers rack might look considering, might make a good video for the channel.

[@FINALLYOUTAFTER6]

Much appreciated.

[@johndavis452]

I was in infantry, at the 101st, my 1SG used to say you want a medal or a chest to pin it on, medals don't really mean anything, I've seen courageous soldiers get nothing,and the kiss asses get the medals!

[@blitz-625]

Could you do a video about switching from another branch to the Army (experiences, bonuses, what to expect)?

[@xephael3485]

From what I understand: Douglas Albert Munro got the cost guard medal of honor for leading an operation to evacuate 500 marines, and then shielding their craft from Japanese fire with his boat. The evacuating craft escaped with the marines, but he died in the effort.

[@jeankoroko728]

lets remember our heroes

[@TV-xc5ut]

Haven’t got anything yet, but i like my expert marksman badge.

[@hughmungus3415]

Hawkeye

[@redone_0269]

Could you make a video on your entire ASU. I'm just curious for some reason.

[@finbarlinnane129]

Well explained sir. I especially liked your discription of the higher up awards. I'm from Ireland so I've got my service medal plus a couple of badges for riflemanship. Our uniforms look very bare compared to yours

[@jeremiahdavis1724]

Mine was the Purple Heart and the arcom with “v” device

[@2AForever-wi8yj]

@Laki Lucky V So they could get out of the service and run for President in 2004

[@user-pf4px2cn9e]

Our dad was given the soldiers medal in WWII. Thank you for that clarification as to what the medal represents... wow.

[@M1IRONMIKE]

armed forces expeditionary medal.......operation urgent fury grenada 1983

[@Mark-yy2py]

Me too. Operation Joint Forge - Former Yugoslavia 1998.

[@noel1512]

I knew someone who got a achievement medal for sorting out keys.

[@2h4]

First Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor was John Freeman Mackie. My brother has the Air Force good conduct medal.

[@baronet68]

Received an Army Achievement Medal for writing a book. The book was called a "Screener's Desk Reference" and was a guide for medications that could be dispensed by medical personnel in both clinical and field settings. It was initially distributed throughout the entire 2nd Infantry Division, then later throughout 8th Army and Japan. I have no idea if it is still used as a reference today.

[@mikekochendorfer7965]

Did the book consist of one page saying "motrin" by any chance?

[@timburns4880]

Since I was Cold War soldier, all I received in my time was a Army Achievement Medal, a PLDC ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon, and a Good Conduct Medal....and the Army Service Ribbon of course.

[@celesticwolf518]

My grandpa (went to Vietnam during this) served in the Navy then switched to Air Force and retired from the AF in 2009, my dad did 4 years in the Navy, and my fiance is in the Army

[@sandovalperry2895]

I’m proud of my Good Conduct Medal. After I was commissioned I could tell most of my fellow officers that I had a medal they didn’t have and could never earn. Plus I never got caught 😉

[@anthonysmith8794]

lol

[@rinaldskalvis5071]

thank you for your service

[@shutupbreaks4307]

Hey, man. Your videos interest me a lot. I would like to see what are all of the Divisions in the Army.

[@TheYoungCollector]

My great great great grandfather got the Distinguished Service Cross for actions in Flexville, France during WW1. He saved a non commissioned officer during the liberation of that city while under fire. My great great great grandfather said himself in an interview in 1968, “I never got hurt, but I saw men injured and killed all around me.” He also was nearly killed/wounded twice. He spent most of his 70s and early 80s at a VFW smoking and drinking with his friends until his death in 1972 at 83.

[@TheBlackhorse1954]

My highest award is the Bronze Star w/V device earned while deployed to Grenada, but my proudest award was the 2nd award of the Meritorious Service Medal, which I received when I retired.

[@donaldstough677]

Mine is for serving at Dessert Storm and Dessert Shield

[@efrainrivera7862]

Great channel,I'm a Gulf War Veteran US Army

[@HarryRacer18]

You forgot to mention that the bronze star is also given for meritorious achievements or service in combat. When it’s for heroics than the “V” device is placed on the award for Valorous.

[@fnordhorn]

there also a group of awards called Awards and decorations of the National Guard. Each state has there own award information on them cn be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awards_and_decorations_of_the_National_Guard

[@danielgaffney6969]

love the vids

[@jerryunderwood4693]

For me the C I B means the most

[@ricardosegarrairizarry8396]

That background music is killer.

[@kaziiqbal7257]

One thing that’s absolutely crazy about the medal of honor pay is that it starts on the day of the action that earned the medal!

[@steventowler7588]

A couple of major medals not included here are the Defense Superior Service Medal and Legion of Merit. Do you think you might do another medals video including these two and others?

[@vanzelechave6124]

My grandpa had a distinguished service cross for disabling an fortified position by himself in Ardenes, 4 purple hearts in the korean war and the Vietnam war and a bronze star.

[@guregorihattofirudo2627]

I was in 77-80 and many of the ribbons or medals you discussed didn’t exist yet like the the Army and Overseas Service, the AAM, the NDSM was not authorized so most went home with no ribbons on their uniforms. We had to re-enlist to for another 3 years to get our first award of the Good Conduct so not worth it. I came home with an ARCOM.

[@murlinlade3143]

I was recomended for Army Accomendation on tour in Vietnam

[@canadianbacon2205]

My Great-Great Grandfather (part of 9th ID) (R.I.P) was awarded the purple heart after an encounter with an MG nest, somewhere after D-Day. He also was wounded by shrapnel sometime after, he did not get a purple heart for that.

[@texasvenom7814]

The one that gets me is the Silver Star with Valor. That must be one heck of a meeting for your commanding officer to say "eff him, he's not getting the CMoH, but we will give him the Silver Star with Valor".