Soldier's Medal
The Soldier's Medal is an individual decoration of the United States Army. It was introduced as Section 11 of the Air Corps Act, passed by the Congress of the United States on July 2, 1926. The Soldier's Medal is equivalent to the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the Air and Space Forces' Airman's Medal, and the Coast Guard Medal. Prior to the creation of the Airman's Medal in 1960, airmen were awarded the Soldier's Medal.
| Soldier's Medal | |
|---|---|
| Type | Personal military decoration |
| Awarded for | Distinguishing oneself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy |
| Presented by | United States Department of the Army |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 2 July 1926 |
| First awarded | October 17, 1927 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Equivalent | Naval Service: Navy and Marine Corps Medal Air and Space Forces: Airman's Medal Coast Guard: Coast Guard Medal |
| Next (lower) | Bronze Star Medal |
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, 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."