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All WW1 Medals

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American Medals from The Great War

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U.S. Medals, Awards and Badges from WW1

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WW2 Medals

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The First World War or Great War was a global military conflict that assembled the world in two opposing alliances: the Entente (France, the United Kingdom and Russia) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria–Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria). The immediate cause of the war was the June 28, 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.

Several Americans received military medals and awards during The Great War. In this article we’ll explore some of them.

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WW1 United States Medals

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All American medals, badges & awards >

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The Medal of Honor

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The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War. It’s the highest military decoration presented by the government of the United States to a member of its armed forces, and its recipients must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty. During World War I, 121 men received the Medal for their action – 34 of them posthumously. The recipients were: 92 from the Army, 4 from the Air Service, 21 from the Navy, and 8 from the Marine Corps.

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Single-handedly attacked and captured a machine gun position.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”100×60″ custom_src=”https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Corporal_Jake_Allex.jpg”][vc_column_text]Jake Allex

Wounded and single-handedly captured a machine gun nest.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”100×60″ custom_src=”https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/John_balch.jpg/203px-John_balch.jpg”][vc_column_text]John H. Balch

Exposed himself to intense fire in order to treat the wounded and establish a dressing station.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”100×70″ custom_src=”https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Albert_E._Baesel_-_WWI_Medal_of_Honor_recipient.jpg”][vc_column_text]Albert E. Baesel †

Killed while trying to rescue a wounded soldier under heavy fire.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1575389812319{padding-top: 40px !important;}”]

The Distinguished Service Cross

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The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States Army for extreme gallantry and risk of life in combat with an armed enemy force (not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor). The Distinguished Service Cross was established by President Woodrow Wilson on January 2, 1918 and first awarded during World War I.

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During the Great War, 6,309 awards of the Distinguished Service Cross were made to 6,185 recipients, with several dozens receiving two of them and a handful three or more.

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Awarded eight Distinguished Service Crosses, one of which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor, while flying with the 94th Aero Squadron.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”100×60″ custom_src=”https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/John_Henry_Parker%2C_U.S._Army.jpg”][vc_column_text]John Henry Parker

The only ground soldier in World War I to receive four Distinguished Service Crosses.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”100×60″ custom_src=”https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/DanielDaly.jpg/330px-DanielDaly.jpg”][vc_column_text]Daniel Daly

Received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism as First Sergeant of the 73rd Company, Sixth Marine Regiment, during the Battle of Belleau Wood.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_img_size=”100×70″ custom_src=”https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/CaptHIBearss_USMC.jpg/330px-CaptHIBearss_USMC.jpg”][vc_column_text]Hiram I. Bearss

Recipient of the Medal of Honor in the Philippines, was awarded the DSC while attached to the 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th Division.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_single_image image=”8702″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-8858129-13710355″][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1575389832798{padding-top: 40px !important;}”]

The Silver Star

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The Silver Star is the United States Armed Forces’s third-highest personal decoration for valor in combat and is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

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Because there aren’t extensive records for the Silver Star Medal, it’s estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 SSMs have been awarded since the decoration was established.

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Three Army nurses that served in World War I were cited in 1919 and 1920 with Citation Stars for gallantry in attending to the wounded while under artillery fire in July 1918. They were awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously:

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Jane Rignel – Mobile Hospital No. 2, 42nd Division, for gallantry in “giving aid to the wounded under heavy fire” in France on July 15, 1918.
Linnie Leckrone – Shock Team No. 134, Field Hospital No. 127, 32nd Division, for gallantry while “attending to the wounded during an artilley bombardment” in France on July 29, 1918.
Irene Robar – Shock Team No. 134, Field Hospital No. 127, 32nd Division, for gallantry while “attending to the wounded during an artillery bombardment” in France on July 29, 1918.

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The Navy Cross

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The Navy Cross is the United States military’s second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. Established on February 4, 1919, it’s awarded primarily to a member of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard for extraordinary heroism.

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The Navy Cross was instituted in part due to the entrance of the United States into World War I. The Army instituted the Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Medal in 1918, while the Navy followed suit in 1919, retroactive to 6 April 1917. The first actual recipient of the Navy Cross is unknown because initial awards were made from a lengthy list published after World War I.

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Books About WW1

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A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, 1914 to 1918

Hardcover from $18.15

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World War One: The Unheard Stories of Soldiers on the Western Front Battlefields

Hardcover from $7.99

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The Guns of August

Hardcover from $17.25

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The Great War: A Combat History of the First World War

Hardcover from $17.05

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The Unknowns: The Untold Story of America’s Unknown Soldier

Hardcover from $14.82

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All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel

Hardcover from $6.29

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Articles About WW1, The Great War – See All >

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United States Military Medals from The Great War (WW1)