Jump to content

We've talked ugliest...now why not best looking?


dg0223
 Share

Recommended Posts

Note that the overwhelming majority of votes are for medals designed over 60 years ago (inverse of opinions on the ugliest). The new stuff is just terrible in design - both the pendants and ribbons.

 

My vote:

 

Tiffany Cross

Distinguished Service Cross

Navy Cross

Distinguished Flying Cross

Purple Heart

 

Crosses just seem to make for a better medal. Round is boring.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You guys have "missed" this one. !!!!

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL FOR MERIT.

post-633-1291679068.jpg

 

 

2. The Distinguished Service Medal

3. Legion of Merit

4. Distinguished Service Cross

5. Silver Star

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are too many beautiful medals to pick 5, but I really like the majority of the campaign medals. I think in most cases the "theme" is well thought out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My vote:

 

Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Distinguished Service Medal

Legion of Merit

Joint Commendation Medal

 

Maybe I'm just a fan of pretty enamel? :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Marine Corps Brevet medal.

+1 :thumbsup:

Just a striking medal. Cross, topped with EGA, pseudo-MOH style ribbon with dark red...just can't be beat for looks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What about non-federal medals? My vote for # 1 is the Military Order of the Dragon. It was a society for officers who had served in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900.

post-10651-1291687229.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In the interest of full disclosure, I should add that only one of the five previous medals (the Military Order of the Dragon) is actually in my collection.

The Order of Indian Wars is in a friend's collection and the other three were auctioned by Stacks a few years ago. They're on my "wish list", but that list far exceeds my bank account...

 

I posted these five medals because they're exceptionally beautiful and not often seen by collectors.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Forget it, I've tried to tweak my list based on some of the responses here, but I think I'd have to make at least 4 lists top 5:

 

-Valor decorations

-WWII to Modern-day Service medals

-WWI and pre-WWI medals

-Ultra rare medals like Adam posted

 

I also like the Mexican Service and Mexican Border Service medals.

 

Too...many...nice...medals...

 

*aaaargh*

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In no particular order:

 

Distinguished Service Cross

Distinguished Service Medal (Army)

Distinguished Flying Cross

Legion of Merit

Air Medal

 

Honorable mention:

 

Foxfall's Cold War Victory Medal

 

Of course the most beautiful medal of all time is the Bulgarian Order of Military Merit in any class -- but that's for a different forum.

 

Jim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would nominate the Army Soldier's Medal for inclusion in the Top 10.

 

Re Post #29: In the last 20 years, TIOH has just stop trying to design good stuff -- medals, badghes, SSIs, DUIs, etc. By 1990, TIOH's "Creative Heraldry Branch" had lost its long-serving and knowledgable staffers. Their replacements were no way near "Creative" -- they liked to cut and paste devices and motifs from previously-existing artwork, stir, add seasoning to taste and serve. Further, they no longer had any interest in classic heraldic design.

 

In the Days of Yore (including all the older than 60 yrs designs already listed), medal designs had to be approved by the Fine Arts Commission (? not sure of the exact title), an adjunct of the Smithsonian. For the DESERT STORM campaign medal, TIOH and HQDA decided to STOP doing that. I suspect that most, if not all, designs since 1990-1991 have not been coordinated with the Fine Arts Commission. And it shows.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service

President's Medal of Merit

Chaplain's Medal for Valor

Presidential Citizens Medal.

Presdiential Medal of freedom.

 

Gold Life Saving, older version

Silver LIfe Saving

Army DSM

DOD DSM

Army DSC older version.

 

I would say Tiffany Cross MOH but we were told to exclude the MOH.

 

4starchris

Link to comment
Share on other sites

President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service

President's Medal of Merit

Chaplain's Medal for Valor

Presidential Citizens Medal.

Presdiential Medal of freedom.

 

Gold Life Saving, older version

Silver LIfe Saving

Army DSM

DOD DSM

Army DSC older version.

 

I would say Tiffany Cross MOH but we were told to exclude the MOH.

 

4starchris

 

An awesome point, the Type II Gold and Silver LS Medals are fantastic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1.Purple Heart

2.Distinguished Service Cross

3.New York State Medal WW1

4.Victory Medal ww1

5.Vietnam Service Medal

 

regards,

Yves

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...