- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Institution: 1981
- Country: United States
The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal. Award authority rests with local commanders, granting a broad discretion of when and for what action the Achievement Medal may be awarded.
Each military service issues its own version of the Achievement Medal, with a fifth version authorized by the U.S. Department of Defense for joint military activity.
The Joint Service Achievement Medal was created in 1983. This award was considered a Department of Defense decoration senior to the service department Achievement Medals.
The Achievement Medal Design
The following devices may be authorized to be worn on the following achievement medals suspension ribbon and service ribbon:
- All Achievement Medals, “C” device, which signifies meritorious performance “under combat conditions”, after January 2016
- Army Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Achievement Medal, for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
- Coast Guard Achievement Medal, for additional awards – 5/16 inch stars
- Joint Service Achievement Medal (all service branches), for additional awards – oak leaf clusters
- Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Operational Distinguishing Device (“O” device)
- Coast Guard Achievement Medal – Combat Distinguishing Device (Combat “V”)
