Awards of the American military Awards of the American military were decorations used by the United States armed forces throughout the existence of the United States of America . The greatest number of awards was seen during the 20th century when the United States was involved in no less than four major war s . American military personnel were issued military decorations in the form of badges , medals , and ribbons . Awards were displayed on most American military uniforms in the form of ribbon rows ( three per row ) worn on the left breast with any authorized badges worn directly above the ribbons . Camouflage uniforms did not display award ribbons , but could be worn with " subdued " badges to match the camouflage . ( , ) Badges of the American military . Aviator Badge . The Aviator Badge was awarded to those members of the United States Army Air Forces ( and later the U . S . Air Force ) who were qualified as pilots . In 1947 , Lieutenant General Rex Denning was a Command Aviator entitled to the Aviator Badge . The decoration was also held by John Christopher in 1969 . ( , ) Flight Officer Badge . The Flight Officer Badge was awarded to those members of the United States Navy who were qualified as co - pilots or naval flight officers . In 1986 , Commander Rogerson was a qualified Naval Flight Officer . ( ) Combat Infantryman Badge . The Combat Infantryman Badge was a decoration that existed during the 20th century and was awarded having been involved direclty in combat as an Infantrymen . Known as the " CIB " , it was held by some of Earth ' s most famous general s , such as Norman Schwarzkopf . ( ) Parachutist Badge . The Parachutist Badge was a decoration of the U . S . military issued in the 20th century for those military members who were qualified to perform parachute drops . General Norman Schwarzkopf was a recipient of this decoration . ( ) Command - at - Sea Pin . The Command - at - Sea Pin was a decoration issued by the United States Navy to those officers who had qualified to serve as captain s of a naval combat vessel . The pin was either worn above the right pocket , indicating an active assignment as captain of a ship , or below the left pocket showing inactive status . In 1986 , Commander Rogerson of the USS " Enterprise " wore the Command - at - Sea Pin in the inactive location . ( ) Weapons Marksmanship Badge . Weapons Marksmanship Badges were issued by the United States Marine Corps for qualifying as a Marksman , Sharpshooter , or Expert on a particular firearm . Marksmanship badges were worn on the left pocket below award ribbons . In 2364 , Q displayed three Marine Corps marksmanship badges when he impersonated a twentieth century Marine Corps captain . ( ) Decorations of the American military . Air Force Cross . The Air Force Cross was one of the highest awards for valor in the United States Air Force and was displayed as a light blue ribbon with red borders . It was awarded to both enlisted personnel and officers . In 1969 , at least one member of the 498th Airbase Group had received the Air Force Cross . ( ) Distinguished Service Medal . The Distinguished Service Medal was a high decoration of the United States military issued to officers who had performed service in a duty of great responsibility . In 1969 , Lieutenant Colonel Fellini had received the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal . ( ) . Distinguished Flying Cross . The Distinguished Flying Cross was a high decoration awarded for valor in aerial flight . In 1969 , at least one member of the 498th Airbase Group had received the Distinguished Flying Cross . As of 1986 , this decoration was held by the Command Duty Officer of the , Commander Rogerson . ( ) ( ) Navy and Marine Corps Medal . The Navy and Marine Corps Medal was a 20th century decoration which was the highest award for non - combat valor while serving in the United States Navy or Marine Corps . In 2364 , when Q impersonated a Marine Corps Captain of the same era , the Navy and Marine Corps Medal was one of the decorations he displayed on his uniform . ( ) Legion of Merit . The Legion of Merit was a high ranking United States military decoration that was in existence during World War II . As of 1947 , Lieutenant General Rex Denning had received this award . ( ) Bronze Star Medal . The Bronze Star Medal was an award for meritorious service first issued during World War II . In 1947 , Lieutenant General Rex Denning , of the Army Air Corps , displayed the Bronze Star Medal as one his personal decorations ( ) . Purple Heart . The Purple Heart was an award issued to all branches of the US armed forces . In 1947 , General Rex Denning was a recipient of the Purple Heart . ( ) Air Medal . The Air Medal was a decoration of the United States Air Force awarded during the 20th century for achievement while participating in aerial flight . The Air Medal was displayed as a blue and yellow ribbon and could be awarded to both officer and enlisted personnel . ( ) Commendation Medals . Commendation Medals were mid - level decorations awarded to members of the United States armed forces . Each branch of service had its own version of the Commendation Medal . In 1969 , Lieutenant Colonel Fellini had received the Air Force Commendation Medal . ( ) In 1986 , Commander Rogerson of the USS " Enterprise " had been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with gold stars indicating multiple receipt of the decoration . ( ) In 2364 , when Q impersonated a Marine Corps Captain , the Navy Commendation Medal was one of the ribbons seen on his uniform . Achievement Medal . The Achievement Medal was a similar decoration to the Commendation Medal . As of 1986 , Commander Rogerson of the USS " Enterprise " had received several Navy Achievement Medals . ( ) Good Conduct Medal . The Good Conduct Medal was an award for enlisted personnel and could also be worn by officers with prior enlisted service . In 1969 , Lieutenant Colonel Fellini displayed the Air Force Good Conduct Medal on his uniform . ( ) National Defense Service Medal . The National Defense Service Medal , often known as the " NDSM " , was a common military medal issued in the 1960s . It was held by at least one Air Force officer on duty at Omaha Air Base in 1969 . The decoration was also held by the Command Duty Officer of the USS " Enterprise " ( Commander Rogerson ) in 1986 . ( ; ) American Defense Service Medal . The American Defense Service Medal was a decoration issued to personnel who had served in the US military between 1939 to 1941 , prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor but during the initial years of World War II . As of 1947 , Lieutenant General Rex Denning had received this decoration . ( ) Campaign Service Medals . Campaign service medals were issued by the United States armed forces to personnel who had served in various combat engagements . In 1969 , an officer of Omaha Air Base had received one campaign medal . In 1986 , the Command Duty Officer of the USS " Enterprise " had received two . ( ; ) Expeditionary Medal . Expeditionary medals were awards issued to military personnel for participating in special expeditionary campaigns . As of 1986 , Commander Rogerson of the USS " Enterprise " had received the Navy Expeditionary Medal . ( ) World War II Victory Ribbon . The World War II Victory Ribbon was an award issued to any personnel of the US armed forces for service during World War II . In 1947 , General Rex Denning was a recipient of the World War II Victory Ribbon . ( ) World War II Campaign Ribbons . World War II Campaign Ribbons were issued to any personnel of the US armed forces who had served in designated campaigns during World War II . In 1947 , General Rex Denning was the recipient of at least two World War II Campaign Ribbons . ( ) In 1969 , Lieutenant Colonel Fellini of the Air Police wore one World War II campaign ribbon on his uniform . ( ) Military Unit Commendations . Military Unit Commendations were decorations issued to military personnel who belonged to a unit which had performed some feat of excellence . As of 1986 , Commander Rogerson of the USS " Enterprise " had received at least two Navy Unit Commendations . ( ) In 2364 , when Q impersonated a Marine Corps captain , a Navy Unit Commendation was one of the decorations seen on Q ' s uniform . ( ) Military Unit Awards . Military unit awards were low precedence level ribbons and were presented to personnel who were members of a military unit cited for a particular action . In 1969 , Lieutenant Colonel Fellini of the US 498th Airbase Group had received an Air Force unit award . ( Navy " E " Ribbon . The Navy " E " Ribbon was an award granted to personnel of a particular United States Navy ship which had performed a feat of excellence . As of 1986 , Commander Rogerson of the USS " Enterprise " had received the Navy " E ' Ribbon on at least two separate occasions . Sea Service Ribbon . The Sea Service Ribbon was a United States Navy decoration awarded to those officers and enlisted personnel who had performed a seaward deployment on board a US Navy vessel . Multiple decorations of this ribbon were denoted by bronze service stars . As of 1986 , Commander Rogerson of the USS " Enterprise " had received at least three awards of the Sea Service Ribbon . ( ) Marksmanship Ribbon . The Marksmanship Ribbon was a low - level award issued to naval personnel who had qualified to a level of proficiency on a small arms weapon . In 1986 the CDO of the USS " Enterprise " displayed the Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon on his uniform . ( ) International Military Awards . International military awards were occasionally awarded to members of the U . S . armed forces and were worn after all regular decorations . As of 1969 , at least one Air Force officer on duty at Omaha Air Base had received an international military award . ( ) In 1986 , the CDO of the USS " Enterprise " ( Commander Rogerson ) had received an international unit citation . ( ) When Q impersonated a Marine Corps captain in 2364 , one of the awards on his uniform was this same international award . ( ) Presidential Unit Citations . Presidential unit citations were displayed as ribbons encased by gold frames . There were several different versions of this award from various nations of Earth , and the decoration could be held by both enlisted and officer personnel . ( ) Additional decorations . United States armed forces personnel were occasionally authorized additional decorations to include foreign awards , civilian medals , and state level decorations . In 1969 , at least one member of the 498th Airbase Group had received such an additional decoration . ( ) Appearances . American military awards have been seen in several " Star Trek " productions , most often on the uniforms of characters who are encountered by the regular " Star Trek " crews during time travel incidents . With the exception of the United States Coast Guard , each branch of the American military has had its awards appear in " Star Trek " . While most such awards are not mentioned by name in dialogue , they can typically be identified visually .