Awards

Throughout the history of the United States, awards and citations have been presented to military members for gallant actions or for their positive conduct while serving their country. During World War II, the 103rd Infantry Division saw extensive combat on the front lines and hundreds of its soldiers acted with uncommon valor that earned them various medals, accolades, and awards. Along with these medals for gallantry, the 103rd Infantry Division also had over a thousand men killed and wounded in action who were subsequently awarded the Purple Heart. Below is a listing of the various medals awarded to men of the 103rd, the number awarded to the Division when known, and a description of the medal and its details. To see details on many of the citations awarded to 103rd Division soldiers see the General Orders documents.

MEDAL OF HONOR (1 AWARDED TO 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

The Medal of Honor (sometimes called, mistakenly, the Congressional Medal of Honor) is the rarest medal awarded by the U.S. Military. In order to receive the Medal of Honor, an individual must distinguish themselves in an action or series of actions that goes above and beyond the call of duty, and normally the action places the individual at great physical peril without regard for their own safety. For the Medal to be awarded, a multi-step process must first take place. First, a comprehensive citation or description of the event must be written by someone, normally a commanding officer, which specifically details what they deem worthy of the Medal of Honor. After this, an investigation is carried out by the military to verify the action. This investigation includes interviews of other members of the unit who were present and can verify the actions of the individual listed on the citation. Once these steps are concluded, the President of the United States personally decides if the action or actions described in the citation are worthy of the Medal.

During the 103rd Infantry Division’s time in combat, no Medals of Honor were awarded. However, one Medal of Honor was bestowed for actions with the 103rd well after the war ended, as the Clinton Administration undertook a review in 1997 of medals awarded (or not) to African American service members during World War II. One African American service member of a unit attached to the 103rd Infantry Division was honored after the war during this review, having another medal upgraded to a Medal of Honor.

On December 14, 1944, a task force of the 103rd’s 411th Infantry Regiment organized to attack Climbach, a French town just outside the German border. The task force consisted of a company of infantry, a platoon of tanks, and Company C of the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion towing anti-tank guns. During the attack, First Lieutenant Charles L. Thomas of the 614th rode in the lead vehicle of the task force organized to storm and capture Climbach. His armored scout car was subjected to intense enemy artillery, self-propelled guns, and small arms fire. The initial burst of hostile fire wounded Thomas, and he ordered the rest of column to halt. Despite the severity of his wounds, Thomas assisted as the crew of the wrecked car dismounted. Leaving the scant protection that the vehicle afforded, Thomas was subjected to another hail of enemy fire which inflicted multiple gunshot wounds on his chest, legs, and left arm. Despite the intense pain, he ordered and directed the dispersion and emplacement of two anti-tank guns which effectively returned fire. Realizing he could no longer remain in command, he signaled to a platoon commander to join him. Thomas thoroughly oriented the new commander to the situation and pointed out the enemy gun positions. Only then, ensuring the junior officer was in control of the situation, did Thomas leave the front to receive medical attention.

Thomas' outstanding heroism inspired his men and exemplified the highest traditions of the Armed Forces. Lt. Charles L. Thomas of the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in 1945. After the extensive review of African American soldiers’ medals in World War II, Congress and President Bill Clinton decided that Thomas’s award was one of seven that needed to be upgraded. On January 13, 1997, Captain Thomas’s Distinguished Service Cross was posthumously upgraded to The Medal of Honor. President Clinton presented the Medal of Honor to to Captain Thomas’s niece during the White House ceremony.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (12 AWARDED TO 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to a person who distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism while either engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States, engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing/foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her fellow combatants. Oftentimes, soldiers who are recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor are awarded this award either in place of the Medal of Honor or are temporarily awarded the Distinguished Service Cross while the Medal of Honor investigation is ongoing. This award is the second highest award that a soldier can receive for valor while fighting in the Armed Forces of the United States.

The Distinguished Service Cross was established by President Woodrow Wilson in January of 1918 at the urging of General General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Forces in France. Pershing recommended that a recognition other than the Medal of Honor be authorized for the United States Army for valorous service rendered in like manner to that awarded by the European Armies. During World War II, the United States awarded just over 5,000 of the medal.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL (1 AWARDED TO 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

The Distinguished Service Medal is presented to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility. The performance must be such as to merit recognition for service that is clearly exceptional. The exceptional performance of normal duty will not alone justify an award of this decoration - the actions must be above and beyond the regular call of duty. Additionally, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of high positions of great importance. The level of exceptional performance of service is greater than that necessary for the Silver Star. Awards may also be made to persons other than members of the Armed Forces of the United States for wartime services only, and only then under exceptional circumstances with the express approval of the president in each case. Most Army Distinguished Service Medals were awarded to general officers.

The Distinguished Service Medal was established by the U. S. Army in 1918. From July 1, 1941, to June 6, 1969, when the Department of the Army stopped publishing awards of the medal in Department of the Army General Orders, over 2,800 Distinguished Service Medals were awarded.

LEGION OF MERIT AWARD (3 AWARDED TO 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

The Legion of Merit can be awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as to military and political figures of foreign governments, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The performance must merit recognition of key individuals for service rendered in a clearly exceptional manner. For service not related to actual war, the term "key individual" applies to a narrower range of positions than in a time of war and requires evidence of significant achievement.

An act of Congress on July 20, 1942, established the Legion of Merit and provided that the medal "shall have suitable appurtenances and devices and not more than four degrees.” On October 29, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the rules for the Legion of Merit and required the President's approval for the award. From 1942 to 1944, the Legion of Merit was awarded for a fairly wide range of achievements. This was because it was, until the establishment of the Bronze Star Medal in 1944, the only decoration below the Silver Star which could be awarded for combat valor, and the only decoration below the Distinguished Service Medal which could be awarded for meritorious noncombat service.

SOLDIER'S MEDAL (14 AWARDED TO 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

The Soldier’s Medal is awarded, according to the medal’s criteria, “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, including Reserve Component soldiers not serving in a duty status at the time of the heroic act, distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving conflict with an enemy." It is the highest honor a soldier can receive for an act of valor in a non-combat situation, held to be equal to or greater than the level which would have justified an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross had the act occurred in combat. Additional awards of the medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters.

A need to recognize acts of heroism in 1922 resulted in the War Department's issuing orders for acts of bravery during peacetime. This led to an Act of Congress on July 2, 1926 which established the Soldier's Medal. The period of time when the most Soldier's Medals were awarded was World War II, with at least hundreds of medals being awarded.

SILVER STAR MEDAL (284 AWARDED TO 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

The Silver Star Medal is the nation’s third highest decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States. These actions occur while A) engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or B) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. While of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, the required gallantry must nevertheless be performed with highly marked distinction. The medal is awarded for singular acts of valor or heroism over a brief period, such as one or two days of a battle.

The Silver Star Medal was established as the Army Citation Star in July of 1932 (the medal could be awarded retroactively to 1861 during the U.S. Civil War). The Army’s Silver Star Medal was first designated in December of 1942, but was made retroactive back to December 6th, 1941. Second and subsequent awards of the Silver Star Medal are denoted by bronze or silver oak leaf clusters. The number of Silver Star medals awarded in World War II is unknown.

BRONZE STAR MEDAL (2,669 AWARDED TO 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Officers from the other uniformed services of the United States are eligible to receive this award, as are foreign soldiers who have served with or alongside a service branch of the United States Armed Forces. Civilians serving with U.S. military forces in combat are also eligible for the award. The acts of heroism acknowledged by the awarding of a Bronze Star are of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star. The acts of merit or acts of valor must be less than that required for the Legion of Merit but must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction.

The Bronze Star Medal was established in February of 1944 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Executive Order #9419 after it was supported by General George C. Marshall, the Chief of Staff during World War II. The medal was designed to be awarded retroactively back to December 6, 1941.

PURPLE HEART MEDAL (~1,670 AWARDED TO 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

The Purple Heart Medal is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of the Armed Forces who, while serving with the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded. To be eligible for the award, a wound must have required treatment by a medical officer and the soldier must be wounded or killed while in any action against an enemy of the United States, fighting against a opposing enemy force with which the United States is engaged, or for injuries and wounds received while held as a Prisoner of War.

The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1782. The Badge of Military Merit took the form of a heart made of purple cloth. Although never abolished, the award of the badge was not proposed again officially until after World War I. During the early period of American involvement in World War II (December 1941 – September 1943), the Purple Heart was awarded both for wounds received in action against the enemy and for meritorious performance of duty. With the establishment of the Legion of Merit, by an Act of Congress, the practice of awarding the Purple Heart for meritorious service was discontinued. In 2009, the National Geographic Magazine estimated that the United States awarded 1,076,245 Purple Heart Medals during World War II.

For the 103rd Infantry Division, a list of Purple Heart recipients collated from the General Orders lists 1,670 Purple Heart awards. However, it should be noted that during their six months of intensive combat, there were 6,762 total casualties (including 848 killed in action) recorded for the 103rd Infantry Division. Thus, the number of soldiers who could have or should have been given a Purple Heart is almost certainly much higher.

AIR MEDAL AWARD (92 AWARDED TO 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

The Air Medal was awarded to service personnel who distinguishes himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving in any capacity in or with the armed forces of the United States. Awards can be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism or meritorious service. During World War II, the Air Medal was awarded to primarily recognize air crew members. However, it was also awarded to individuals whose combat duties required regular and frequent flying in non-passenger status, or individuals who performed a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member. These individuals had to make a discernible contribution to the operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft. Examples of personnel whose combat duties require them to fly included those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and/or those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations, such as airborne artillery spotters.

During World War II, the medal's award criteria varied widely depending on the theater of operations, the aircraft flown, and the missions accomplished. In Europe, the airspace was considered completely controlled by the enemy and heavy air defenses were encountered, so the criteria were altered from those of the original medal. Bomber, photographic reconnaissance, or observation crew members and air transport pilots received the award it for five sorties, while fighter pilots received it for ten sorties. Individual pilots or air crewmen could also receive one award per enemy aircraft shot down.

The Air Medal was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Executive Order #9158 on May 11, 1942. It was awarded retroactive to September 8, 1939.

GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL (~91 AWARDED TO 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

The Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded to active-duty, enlisted soldiers who completed three consecutive years of honorable, faithful, efficient service with fidelity. It is awarded on a selective basis to each soldier who distinguishes himself/herself from among his/her fellow soldiers. The soldier must not have undergone any non-judicial punishment, disciplinary infractions, or court-martial offenses. The medal can be awarded posthumously. The immediate commander must approve the award and the award must be announced in permanent orders

The Good Conduct Medal was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt by Executive Order #8809 on June 28, 1941. The criteria were amended by Executive Order 9323, dated March 31, 1943, to authorize the award for enlisted soldiers having three years of service after August 27, 1940 or one year of service after December 7, 1941 when the United States was at war.

For the 103rd, given the award criteria, the number awarded to the Division’s men reported above, based on the Division’s General Orders, seems drastically under-counted.

AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL (MOST 103rd DIVISION SOLDIERS ELIGIBLE)

The American Campaign Medal was intended to recognize those military members who performed military service in the American Theater of Operations during World War II. A similar medal, known as the American Defense Service Medal was awarded for active duty service before the United States' entry into World War II. The requirements for the American Campaign Medal were for service within the American Theater between December 7, 1941 and March 2, 1946 under a number of conditions, including service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of 1 year.

The medal was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt per Executive Order #9265 on November 6, 1942. The criteria were initially announced by the Department of the Army in January 1943. The American Campaign Medal was issued as a service ribbon only during the Second World War, and was not issued as a full-sized medal until 1947. The first recipient of the American Campaign Medal was General of the Army George C. Marshall, Jr. For the 103rd Division, any men who trained in the continental United States for the period of at least one year, as most of the men did at Camps Claiborne and Howze, were eligible for the award.

EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL (ALL 103rd DIVISION SOLDIERS ELIGIBLE)

The European-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was established to recognize all U.S. military personal who served in the European Theater (including Africa and the Middle East) during World War II. To be awarded the medal, the personnel had to preform any service in the theater between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, inclusive. The medal was awarded as a service ribbon to service personnel throughout the war. For those service members who participated in one or more designated military campaigns, campaign stars were authorized to be worn on the medal. An Arrowhead device was also authorized to be worn on the medal for those who participated in airborne or amphibious assault landings.

The European-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was initially established by Executive Order #9265 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on dated November 6, 1942. All members of the 103rd Infantry Division that served with the Cactus Division in the European Theater of Operations were eligible to be awarded the medal.

WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL (ALL 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION SOLDIERS ELIGIBLE)

The World War II Victory Medal was instituted by the U.S. Congress to recognized any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippine Islands, who served on active duty, or as a reservist, between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946 (when President Truman declared the conflict officially over). As every member of the United States Armed Forces who served was eligible for the medal, there were over twelve million eligible recipients, making the World War II Victory Medal the second most widely awarded military award of the United States, after the National Defense Service Medal.

The World War II Victory Medal was established by an Act of Congress on July 6, 1945 and promulgated by Section V, War Department Bulletin 12, 1945. The medal had no minimum time in service requirement. The World War II Victory Medal was first issued as a service ribbon, referred to as the "Victory Ribbon." The medal itself was not designed until February of 1946. All members of the 103rd Infantry Division that served with the Cactus Division during the war were eligible for the medal.

ARMY OF OCCUPATION MEDAL (MANY 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION SOLDIERS ELIGIBLE)

The Army of Occupation Medal was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to recognize those who had performed occupation service in either Germany, Italy, Austria, Japan or Korea. To be awarded the medal, U.S. personnel were required to have performed at least thirty consecutive days of military duty within a designated geographical area of military occupation. The Army of Occupation Medal was presented with a campaign clasp, denoting either European or Asian service, depending on the region in which occupation service had been performed. Campaign clasps were worn on the full-sized medal only with no corresponding device when wearing the Army of Occupation Medal as a ribbon on a military uniform.

The Army of Occupation Medal was authorized in 1946, but it was not until 1947 that the first Army of Occupation Medals were distributed. The first medal was presented to General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had been the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force Commander during World War II.

Members of the 103rd Infantry Division that served on occupation duty in Austria from May to September of 1945 were eligible for the medal with the Austria clasp, although it is not know how many were awarded the commendation as many of the men had been discharged before the medal was distributed in 1947.

MERITORIOUS SERVICE UNIT PLAQUES (8 AWARDED TO THE 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

The Meritorious Service Unit Plaque was awarded to entire units, not individuals. The Meritorious Service Unit Plaque was awarded to units for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding services for at least six continuous months during a period of military operations against an armed enemy performed between January 1, 1944 and September 15, 1946. Although service in a combat zone was not required, the unit's accomplishments had to be directly related to the larger combat effort. The unit must display such outstanding devotion and superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks as to set it apart from and above other units with similar missions. The degree of achievement required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Legion of Merit to an individual. In 1946, the Army announced it was eliminating the plaque and replacing with a Meritorious Service Unit Commendation.

Personnel serving in units awarded the plaque were authorized to wear the Meritorious Unit insignia on the right sleeve of the service coat or shirt. The award consisted of a two inch square of olive drab cloth on which appeared a golden yellow laurel wreath one and five-eighths inches in diameter; additional awards were denoted by placing gold stars on the plaque.

CIVILIAN AWARDS:

PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM (1 AWARDED to the 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION)

In 2009, 103rd Infantry Division Veteran Joe Medicine Crow received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama, The Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded for not only his civilian achievements as a historian and anthropologist, but his military service as a scout for the 103rd Infantry Division during World War II. Notably, Joe Medicine Crow completed the four tasks required to become a Crow War Chief while serving with the 103rd Infantry Division when he touched an enemy without killing him, stole an enemy’s weapon, stole an enemy’s horse, and lead a successful war party. Joe Medicine Crow was the last war chief from the Crow tribe.

President Obama’s remarked at the ceremony, “Born just a generation past the Battle of the Little Big Horn, a grandson of a scout for General Custer himself, Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow was the first member of his tribe to attend college and earn a Master's. Before completing his PhD, he left to serve in World War II. Wearing war paint beneath his uniform, and a sacred feather beneath his helmet, Joseph Medicine Crow completed the four battlefield deeds that made him the last Crow war chief. Historian, educator, and patriot -- a good man, a bacheitche in Crow -- Dr. Medicine Crow's life reflects not only the warrior spirit of the Crow people, but America's highest ideals.”

To see more about Joe Medicine Crow, CLICK HERE (coming soon).