Medal of Honor

This decoration was instituted by Congress in December 1861 for the Navy, in July 1862 for the Army and on July 6, 1960 for the Air Force. Eligible are officers and enlisted men of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps and the decoration is awarded for 'bravery in action involving actual conflict with the enemy' and then only to those who distinguish themselves conspicuously. In wartime, when the Coast Guard serves with the Navy, its members are also eligible for this decoration, as well as for any other Naval Decoration.
The medal is different for each Service.

Army
A bronze, five-pointed star resting on a laurel wreath, enamelled green. On each ray of the star is a green oak leaf. In the centre of the star, the head of Minerva in a circle with the inscription: 'The United States of America' The medal is suspended from a bar with the inscription 'valor'. On top of the bar is an eagle with wings spread.
The reverse of the bar shows the inscription 'The Congress to....(name of the recipient). The ribbon is light blue with thirteen white stars, representing the states from which the Union was originally formed.

Navy/Marine Corps
There have been many changes in design since the institution of the decoration but from August 1942 onwards, the Navy reverted to the original pattern authorized in 1861. It now consists of a five-pointed bronze star tipped with trefoils, each ray with sprays of laurel and oak. In the centre of the star is the head of Minerva, surrounded by a circle of 34 stars, representing the number of States in 1862. The medal hangs from its ribbon by an anchor.
In the event of a second award, a gold star is worn on the ribbon. The ribbon is the same as for the Army.

Air Force
It is a five-pointed star within a green laurel wreath. Laurel and oak are contained within each point of the star. The Statue of Liberty head is in the center of the medal. The star is suspended from a likeness of the Air Force Coat of Arms which is below a bar with the word “Valor”. The ribbon is the same as fort he Army and Navy/Marine Corps.