Ref Thread: Soldier's Medal (SM)

[ADMIN]

 

NAME:

Soldier's Medal

 

DESCRIPTION:

The Soldier's Medal is a military award of the United States Army. It was introduced by a law passed by U.S. Congress on July 2, 1926. The criteria for the medal are: "The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy." (Army Regulation 600-8-22).

 

Often, the medal is awarded to soldiers who risk their life to save other people. The medal can be awarded in peacetime if the soldier's heroism is held to be equal to or greater than the level which would have justified an award of the Distinguished Service Cross (which is only awarded for valor) if the act had taken place in combat. An enlisted recipient who is eligible for retirement pay (20 years or more of service) will receive an increase of 10 percent in retirement pay, just as if the soldier had earned the DSC.

 

The first medals were awarded on October 17, 1927 to John F. Burns and James P. Martin, for heroism during a fire and to James K. Wilson and Cleophas C. Burnett for saving people from drowning.

 

Notable recipients of the Soldier's Medal include Colin Powell, who was awarded the decoration during his second tour in Vietnam (1968-69) when he was injured in a helicopter crash and, despite his wounds, rescued two comrades from the burning wreckage. Other recipients include the three soldiers awarded in 1998 for their intervention in the My Lai Massacre (1968). They were Hugh Thompson, Jr., Lawrence Colburn and Glenn Andreotta; Andreotta was awarded the decoration posthumously.

 

The Soldier's Medal is considered to be equivalent to the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and to the Airman's Medal.

 

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldier's_Medal

 

 

DESCRIPTION:

On a 1 3/8 inch wide Bronze octagon an eagle displayed, standing on a fasces, between two groups of stars of six and seven, above the group of six a spray of leaves. On the reverse is a shield paly of 13 pieces, on the chief the letters "US", supported by sprays of laurel and oak, around the upper edge the inscription "SOLDIER’S MEDAL" and across the face the words "FOR VALOR." In the base is a panel for the name of the recipient to be engraved. The medal is suspended from the ribbon by a rectangular-shaped metal loop with corners rounded.

 

From: http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/sm.shtml

 

 

RIBBON:

The ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/8 inch Ultramarine Blue 67118 on each side and the center containing 13 White and Red stripes of equal width (7 White 67101 and 6 Old Glory Red 67156).

 

From: http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/sm.shtml

 

 

CRITERIA:

The Soldier’s Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States, or of a friendly foreign nation who while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished him/herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The same degree of heroism is required as for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life.

 

From: http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/sm.shtml

 

 

COMPONENTS:

The following are authorized components of the Soldier’s Medal.

 

a. Decoration (regular size): MIL-D-3943/16. NSN 8455-00-269-5759 for decoration set. NSN 8455-00-246-3835 for individual medal.

 

b. Decoration (miniature size): MIL-D-3943/16. NSN 8455-00-996-5014.

 

c. Ribbon: MIL-R-11589/137. NSN 8455-00-252-9956.

 

d. Lapel Button: MIL-L-11484/12. NSN 8455-00-253-0820.

 

From: http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/sm.shtml

 

 

 

FRONT:

 

 

REVERSE:

Pay close attention to the back clasp or broach of the SM. The type of broach provides one of the best clues as to the time period of your piece.

 

World War II

 

 

Modern

[Rattle]

Here is one of my favorite decorations. The Soldier's medal.

 

The Soldier’s Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States, or of a friendly foreign nation who while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished him/herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The same degree of heroism is required as for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life.

 

This one was awarded to Angelo D'allesio Jr.

I was not able to find out anything about him.

 

 

 

 

 

Regards,

Stephan

[JBFloyd]

Borch's book only lists recipients from the War DEpartment and Department of the Army General Orders (D'Allessio is not included).

 

There is no roll for the Soldier's Medal.

 

Some recipients appear in Fred Borch's book, "The Soldier's Medal" (Tempe, AZ, 1994), some recipients appear in War Department General Orders, but most appear in much lower-level orders and have never been consolidated.

 

There were 12,395 (and 90 oak leaf clusters) awarded during WWII, so the list would be fairly long.