Military Commemorative Medals - Reference with Images

U.S. Commemorative Medals

The majority of veterans are not familiar with the 37 or more commemorative medals. The tradition of issuing commemorative medals had been existent since the Revolutionary War, or for more than 228 years. Then, as now, they recognize campaigns, service or historical events a veteran participated in or supported.

Commemorative medals have grown in response to World War II veterans who wanted medals to commemorate D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge and other special events. It has slowly expanded to cover recent historical military operations.

Several commemorative medals have replaced ribbons such as the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, the Combat Action Ribbon and one we use often in place of a ribbon: the U.S. Armed Forces Retired Service Commemorative Medal. For our certificates we have placed many commemoratives for the 60th anniversary of WW II and the 50th anniversary of the Korean War. Take a look and see what you are eligible for.

It is interesting to note that often commemoratives are issued before the goverment campaign medals have been minted. The two most recent examples being the Liberation of Afghanistan and the Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medals. If you know of any of any other military commemoratives that we do not have let us know.

Commemorative Medals For All Services

Air Combat Action Commemorative
To honor all United States Aircrew members who served in air combat.

American Defense Service Commemorative
To honor those who served at least 30 days in the United States during any period of service.

Armed Forces Retired Service Commemorative
To honor all military personnel of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, who have served in the Armed Forces and officially retired from the Active, Guard or Reserve Forces.

China Marines 50th Anniv. Commemorative

Combat Service Commemorative To honor all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who serviced in an overseas combat theatre or expeditionary combat operation.

Foreign Expeditiary Service Commemorative

Honorable Service Commemorative
to honor those who received an Honorable Discharge from any United States military service.

Meritorious Unit Citation Commemorative
To honor all US military personnel who received a US Meritorious Unit Citation or a US Meritorious Unit Commendation from WWII to present.

National Guard and Reserve Commemorative
Designed to honor the devotion, loyalty and achievement of all who have served in the United States national Guard and Reserve Forces over the past 200 years.

Overseas Service Commemorative
To honor all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who served in an overseas theatre or expeditionary operation outside the United States for 30 days or more.

Presidential Unit Citation Commemorative
To honor all US military personnel who were awarded a US presidential Unit Citation for service in a combat theatre or expeditionary operation during any period of service.

Sea Service Commemorative
To honor Navy, SMC, USCG, USMM personnel who served at sea for at least 30 days of continuous service.

Click on the links at the bottom of the page to see our beautifully designed, high quality military certificates that will proudly display your achievements and personal experiences. Your written military highlights are enhanced with up to SIX Medals and up to six ribbons, or three wings or badges. Up to 18 medals and 20 ribbons will fit on our new All Medals Certificate. This is a treasure that can be passed down through the generations.

Individual Service Commemorative Medals

Air Force Commemorative

Air Force Service Commemorative
To honor all Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Airmen who have honorable service in the United States Air Force between 1947 and 2003.

Army Commemorative

Army Service Commemorative
To honor all Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers who have honorable service in the United States Army between 1775 and 2003.

Coast Guard Commemorative

Coast Guard Service Commemorative
To honor all Officers, Petty Officers and Seamen who have honorable service in the United States Coast Guard between 1789 and 2003.

Marine Corps Commemorative

Marine Corps Service Commemorative
To honor all Officers, Petty Officers and Seamen who have honorable service in the United States Coast Guard between 1789 and 2003.

Navy Commemorative

Navy Service Commemorative
To honor all Officers, Petty Officers and Seamen who have honorable service in the United States Navy between 1775 and 2003.

Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Combat Action Commemorative

Merchant Marine Soviet Commemorative

Merchant Marine Veteran's Commemorative

World War II Commemorative Medals
	50th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Commemorative This commemorative medal recognizes the 50th Anniversary of victory in the pacific during World War II and honors those who served.	Pacific Campaign Commemorative This commemorative medal recognizes the 50th Anniversary of victory in the pacific during World War II and honors those who served.
	50th Anniversary WW II Commemorative	Asiatic Pacific Victory Commemorative (also called WW II - VJ Commemorative) To honor all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who served in the Pacific Theatre or in direct support during WWII.
	Victory in Europe Commemorative To honor all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who served in the European, African and Middle Eastern Theatres during WWII.	European Air Offensive Commemorative
	Belgium Medal for the Liberation of Belgium Commemorative	French Liberation Commemorative
	China Service Commemorative	Disabled WWII Commemorative
	European-African-MiddleEastern WWII Victory Commemorative (also called WWII- VE Commemorative) To honor all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guard who served in European, African and Middle Eastern Theatres during WWII.	Iwo Jima Veteran Commemorative This commemorative medal honors those who served in the battle for Iwo Jima during World War II.
	WW II - Victory Commemorative To honor all who served in the United States forces during WWII. The Goddess of Truth and Freedom raises the sword and laurel crown of Victory over Nazi and Japanese crushed shields.	WW II Battle of the Bulge Commemorative To Honor U.S. Armed Forces who fought or supported the Battle of the Bulge 1944-45. The medal shows combat infantry and armor with aircraft arriving in support, stopping desperate Nazi attacks.
	WW II D-Day Commemorative To honor all who landed or served in support of U.S. Forces during the D Day invasion, June 1944. Medal shows soldiers, paratroopers, Air and Naval Forces assaulting the coast of France.	WW II D-Day Commemorative- French

Korean War Commemorative Medals
	50th Anniversary Korean Defense Commemorative To honor all military personnel who served in South Korea or in direct support anytime between 1950 and 2003.	Korean Presidential Unit Citation Commemorative To honro all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who earned the Korean Presidential Unit Citation during the Korean War.
	Korean War 50th Anniversary Commemorative This commemorative medal was authorized for wear during the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War to honor those who served.	Korean War Commemorative This commemorative medal honors those who served during the Korean War.

Cold War Commemorative Medals
	Cold War Commemorative		Cold War Victory Commemorative To recognize all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who served between Sept. 2 1945 and December 26, 1991.

NEW!
All Medals Certificate

After several requests, we have developed a new "ALL MEDALS" Certificate displaying up to 18 of your medals and 20 of your ribbons. Our All Medals Certificate highlights your service name, your name and your service emblem as well as your medals and ribbons.

For questions call Toll Free: 1-866-447-1011

Vietnam War Commemorative Medals
	Defense of Vietnam Commemorative (also known as Vietnam Service Commem.) To honor all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who served in South Vietnam or in direct support from Thailand, Guam, Okinawa, Philippines or the waters off shore between 1960 and 1975.	RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Commemorative To honor all US military personnel whose unit or ship was awareded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Meritorious Unit Citation.
	Vietnam TET Offensive Commemorative This commemorative medal honors those who participated in the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War.	Vietnam War Veterans Commemorative

Kuwait Commemorative Medals		Persian Gulf War Commemorative Medals
	Liberation of Kuwait Commemorative To honor all military personnel who served in the South West Asia theater of operations or in support of the Literation of Kuwait between 1990-2000.		Persian Gulf Campaign Commemorative

Global War on Terrorism Commemorative Medals
	Global War on Terrorism Service Commemorative To honor all US military personnel who served during the Global War on Terrorism, either in the United States or overseas.	Liberation of Afghanistan Commemorative To honor those US military personnel who served i the Liberationof Afghanistan or in direct support of the Liberation of Afthanistan and the ongoing operations in that country.
	Operation Iraqi Freedom Commemorative To honor those US military personnel who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, or in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom including the occupation of Iraq.