The best military award

[Paul_in_Qatar]

Not to totally derail the thread, but I was once told of some country whose highest decoration could only be won by disobeying orders. I like that idea.

[Northern_Piper]

Paul, I think you’re thinking of the Austro-Hungarian Military Order of Maria Theresa. It wasn’t given for disobeying an order, but to officers who acted on their own initiative, without orders:

The Military Order of Maria Theresa (Militär-Maria-Theresien-Orden in German, Croatian: Vojni Red Marije Terezije[1]) was an Order (decoration) of the Austro-Hungarian Empire founded on June 18, 1757, the day of the Battle of Kolin, by the Empress Maria Theresa to reward especially meritorious and valorous acts by commissioned officer, including and especially the courageous act of defeating an enemy, and thus, “serving” his monarch. It was specifically given for “successful military acts of essential impact to a campaign that were undertaken on [the officer’s] own initiative, and might have been omitted by an honorable officer without reproach.” This gave rise to a popular myth that it was awarded for (successfully) acting against an explicit order. It is considered to be the highest honor for a soldier in the Austrian Armed services.

[Alessan]

Isn’t it the nature of medals that they’re only awarded when something goes wrong? If everything goes according to plan, no-one *needs *to act heroically.

[JRDelirious]

@Alessan

Isn’t it the nature of medals that they’re only awarded when something goes wrong? If everything goes according to plan, no-one *needs *to act heroically.

Sure, but in a lot of well-established militaries (specially those that spend a lot of time in nominal peacetime footing) there arises a demand for decorations and awards for doing an above-average good job (you achieved mission objectives ahead of time and under budget by half: here’s a medal) or even just “for showing up” (you spent a total of 90 days in Trangalangan waters in the period between July of 1977 and June of 1978, and the Trangalanga war happened Jan 22-Feb 15 1978; here’s a ribbon).

[Elendil_s_Heir]

“It is amazing what a man will do for a bit of ribbon and tin, if only it means that he has done his duty and acted bravely.” - attrib. to Napoleon

[MOIDALIZE]

@Elendil_s_Heir

“It is amazing what a man will do for a bit of ribbon and tin, if only it means that he has done his duty and acted bravely.” - attrib. to Napoleon

But on the other hand:

“A man does not have himself killed for a half-pence a day or for a petty distinction. You must speak to the soul in order to electrify him.”

[Captain_Amazing]

@Alessan

On the flip side, the *least *ostentatious military award is probably the IDF Medal of Valor - a plain yellow bar.

That’s just the ribbon. The actual medal is a star of David with a sword and olive branch on it. Here’s a picture of the medal.

http://www.israelidecorations.net/Medal_of_Valor.htm

[Alessan]

@Captain_Amazing

That’s just the ribbon. The actual medal is a star of David with a sword and olive branch on it. Here’s a picture of the medal.

Medal of Valor

The medal is awarded, but never actually worn (at least after the ceremony).

[Elendil_s_Heir]

Just as well. That’s one ugly-ass medal, IMHO.

[Alessan]

What do you expect - it was designed in 1970.

[Loach]

@Alessan

Isn’t it the nature of medals that they’re only awarded when something goes wrong? If everything goes according to plan, no-one *needs *to act heroically.

In the American military and probably most others there are medals that are designated for meritorious service and others that are for valor. Some can be both. For instance a Bronze Star can be awarded for merit while stationed in a war zone. It can also be awarded for an act of valor (which is denoted by a small “v” device attached to the ribbon).

[AK84]

@Alessan

The medal is awarded, but never actually worn (at least after the ceremony).

Thats pretty standard, most medals are’nt ever worn, except on ceremonial occassions. Its the ribbon that is worn.

Another plain yellow bar, from the Pakistan Army as can be seen above this officers name tag.

Its for being wounded in action. I never liked it, looks like band aid. Maybe that was the purpose?:rolleyes: