美國不同的軍種，有著不同的勳章，按軍種不同，勳章制度亦有差別。本文按照美國海軍的Order of Precedence，去排列出勳章的高低順序。
Medal of Honor，國會榮譽勳章
國會榮譽勳章，於美國內戰時期建立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
ThePresident may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal ofhonor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to aperson who while a member of the naval services, distinguished himselfconspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his lifeabove and beyond the call of duty.
1. While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States
2. While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force
3. While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armedconflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Theremust be no margin of doubt or possibility of error in awarding thishonor. To justify the decoration, the individual's service must clearlybe rendered conspicuous above his or her comrades by an act sooutstanding that it clearly distinguishes his or her gallantry beyondthe call of duty from lesser forms of bravery; and it must be the typeof deed which if not done would not subject the individual to anyjustified criticism. The deed must be without detriment to the missionof the command or to the command to which attached.
美國傳統上，即使上至四星上將，甚或是美國總統，皆會先向國會榮譽勳章的得主先行敬禮，國會榮譽勳章獲獎人，亦享有特殊的福利。
最新一位獲頒發國會榮譽勳章的是，已退休的美國陸軍中校Bruce P. Crandall，獎章由原本的Distinguished Service Cross升級為國會榮譽勳章。而最近一次直接頒受國會榮譽勳章，是已故海軍陸戰隊下士Jason Dunham，表揚在伊拉克戰場之上，捨身撲向手榴彈，以保護其他同袍。
Navy Cross，海軍十字勳章
海軍十字勳章，是美國海軍中，排名次高的勳章，於1919年2月4日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
The Navy Cross may be awarded to any member of thearmed forces while serving with the Marine Corps, Navy, or Coast Guard(in time of war only) that distinguishes himself in action byextraordinary heroism not justifying an award of the Medal of Honor. The action must take place under one of three circumstances:
1. While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States
2. While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force or
3. While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armedconflict in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
To earn a Navy Cross the act to be commended mustbe performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal riskand must be performed in such a manner as to render the individualhighly conspicuous among others of equal grade, rate, experience, orposition of responsibility. An accumulation of minor acts of heroismdoes not justify an award of the Navy Cross.
(同等級勳章，陸軍為Distinguish Service Medal，空軍為Air Force Cross)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal，海軍卓越服務勳章
海軍卓越服務勳章，是美國海軍中，排名第三高的勳章，亦是服務勳章中最高級別的，於1919年2月4日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
Navy Distinguished Service Medalmay be awarded to any member of the armed forces while serving with theNavy, Marine Corps who distinguish themselves by exceptionallymeritorious service to the United States government in a duty of great responsibility.
一般只會頒受給高級將領，或是美國海軍中最高階的士兵(Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy)
(同等級勳章，陸軍為Army Distinguished Service Medal，空軍為Air Force Distinguished Service Medal)
Defense Superior Service Medal，國防優異服務勳章
國防優異服務勳章，於1976年2月6日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
Navy Distinguished Service Medal may beawarded to any member of the armed forces while serving with the Navy,Marine Corps who distinguish themselves by superior meritorious servicein a position of significant responsibility
Legion of Merit，特殊功獻勳章
特殊功獻勳章，於1942年7月20日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
Legionof Merit awarded to a member of the Armed Forces of the United Statesor of a friendly foreign nation who distinguishes himself/herself byexceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding service.
To justify this decoration, the servicerendered must have been comparable to that required for theDistinguished Service Medal but in a duty of lesser though considerableresponsibility. In general, the Legion of Merit will be awarded toofficers in lesser commands at sea or principal commands on shore whohave performed such exceptionally meritorious service as to justify theaward of the Distinguished Service Medal except as to degree of merit.However, this should not be interpreted to preclude the award of theLegion of Merit to any individual, regardless of grade or rate, whoseacts or services meet the requirements. When the degree of achievementor service rendered, although meritorious, is not sufficient to warrantthe award of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal or theMeritorious Service Medal should be considered.
Distinguish Flying Cross，優異飛行十字勳章
優異飛行十字勳章，於1918年11月1日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
Distinguish Flying Cross awardedto any person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Navy orthe U.S. Marine Corps, distinguishes himself/herself by heroism orextraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. Tojustify this decoration for heroism, an act in the face of danger, wellabove those actions performed by others engaged in similar flightoperations, is required; for achieve ment, the results accomplishedmust be so exceptional as to render them conspicuous among thoseaccomplished by others involved in similar circumstances.
Navy and Marine Corps Medal，海軍勳章
海軍勳章，於1942年8月7日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
Navy and Marine Corps Medal awardedto any person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Navy orthe U.S. Marine Corps, distinguishes himself/herself by heroism notinvolving actual conflict with the enemy. For acts of life-saving, orattempted lifesaving, it is required that the action be performed atthe risk of one's own life.
(同等級勳章，陸軍為Soldier’s Medal，空軍為Airman’s Medal)
Bronze Star，銅星勳章
銅星勳章，於1941年12月7日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
Bronze Star aAwarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the ArmedForces of the United States, distin guishes himself/herself on orafter 7 December 1941 by heroic or meritorious achievement or service,not involving participation in aerial flight.
(a) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(b) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
(c)while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflictagainst an opposing armed force in which the United States is not abelligerent party.
Tojustify this decoration, accomplishment or performance of duty abovethat normally expected, and sufficient to distinguish the individualamong those performing comparable duties is required, although lessthan the requirements for the Silver Star or Legion of Merit. Minoracts of heroism in combat or single acts of merit or meritoriousservice in connection with military or naval operations may justifythis award.
The recipient must be in receipt of Imminent Danger Pay during the qualifying period.
Purple Heart，紫心勳章
紫心勳章，於1941年12月3日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
PurpleHeart awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who,while serving under competent authority in any capacity with an ArmedForce of the United States after 5 April 1917, has been killed orwounded.
In action against an enemy of the United States.
Inaction with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which theArmed Forces of the United States are or have been engaged.
Whileserving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflictagainst an opposing armed force in which the United States is not abelligerent party.
As the result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed force.
As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force.
As the result of friendly weapon fire while actively engaging the enemy.
Asthe indirect result of enemy action. (example: injuries resulting fromparachuting from a plane brought down by enemy or hostile fire.)
As the result of maltreatment inflicted by their captors while a prisoner of war.
After 28 March 1973, as a result of international terrorist attack against the U.S. or a foreign nation friendly to the U.S.
After 28 March 1973, as a result ofmilitary operations while serving outside the territory of the UnitedStates as part of a peacekeeping force.
Meritorious Service Medal，功績服務勳章
功績服務勳章，於1977年11月3日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
Meritorious Service Medal awarded for noncombat meritorious achievementor service that is incontestably exceptional and of magnitude thatclearly places the individual above his peers while serving in one ofthe assignments for which the medal has been designated.
Air Medal，飛行勳章
飛行勳章，於1942年5月11日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
In adjudging the appropriate awards for the various members of a flightcrew, the pilot responsible for flying the aircraft is sometimeseligible for a higher award than other members of the flight crew.However, in a two-seat aircraft where the pilot and crewmemberconstitute a team and function as an integral part of the weaponssystem, both would generally be eligible for the same award. Acrewmember other than the pilot should not be precluded from receivinga higher award if circumstances so indicate. Each case will beconsidered on its own merits. The Air Medal may be awarded in twocategories:
Individual Award. Awarded to persons who, while serving in any capacitywith the Armed Forces of the United States, distinguisheshimself/herself by heroic/meritorious achievement while participatingin an aerial flight under flight orders. A 3/16 inch bronze star isworn to denote first individual award of the Air Medal. Gold stars areworn to denote second and subsequent individual awards of the AirMedal.
Strike/Flight Award. Awarded to persons who, while serving in anycapacity with the Armed Forces of the United States, distinguishthemselves by meritorious achievement while participating in sustainedaerial flight operations under flight orders. Bronze numerals are wornto denote total number of Strike/Flight Awards. Strike/Flight awardscan only be approved within the parameters (area, time, etc.)established by the Secretary of the Navy; delegated authority of thisaward is specific in nature and always in writing.
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal，海軍表揚勳章
海軍表揚勳章，於1945年12月18日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal awarded to a person who, whileserving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps (includingforeign military personnel), distinguishes himself/herself after 6December 1941 by heroic or meritorious achievement or service. To meritthis award, the acts or services must be accomplished or performed in amanner above that normally expected and sufficient to distinguish theindividual above those performing similar services as set forth in thefollowing:
For Acts of Heroism. Worthy of special recognition, but not to thedegree required for the Bronze Star Medal when combat is involved orthe Navy and Marine Corps Medal when combat is not involved.
For Meritorious Achievement. Outstanding and worthy of specialrecognition, but not to the degree required for the Bronze Star Medalor Air Medal when combat is involved or the Meritorious Service Medalor Air Medal when combat is not involved. The achievement should besuch as to constitute a definite contribution to the Naval Service,such as an inven¬ tion, or improvement in design, procedure ororganization.
For Meritorious Service. Outstanding and worthy of special recognition,but not to the degree required for the Bronze Star Medal or Air Medalwhen combat is involved or the Meritorious Service Medal or Air Medalwhen combat is not involved. The award may cover an extended period oftime during which a higher award may have been recommended or receivedfor specific act(s). The criteria, however, should not be the period ofservice involved, but rather the circumstances and conditions underwhich the service was performed. The performance should be well abovethat usually expected of an indivi¬ dual commensurate with his or hergrade or rate, and above that degree of excellence which can beappropriately reflected in the individual's fitness report, performanceevaluations or personnel records.
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal，海軍成就勳章
海軍表揚勳章，於1983年8月3日設立，頒受給符合下列資格的美國軍人：
To be eligible for this award, the individual must be a member of theArmed Forces of the United States below the grade of 0-6, and assignedto a qualifying organization such as The Defense Agencies, Headquartersof Unified Commands, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Officeof the Secretary of Defense. The required service or achievement, whileof a lesser degree than that required for award of the Joint ServiceCommendation Medal, must have been accomplished within distinction. |
|
分享
收藏
分享
