US & European Medals of WW1, Medal of Honor, DSC, Silver Star, Navy Cross, Purple Heart, French Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre, Order of Leopold II, Order of St. Anne, Military Cross, Military Medal, Verdun, Marne, St. Mihiel, Chateau-Thierry, Somme

(l,r) Samuel Woodfill, Medal of Honor; John Bush, Croix de Guerre; General John J. Pershing

World War I Medals

The following are often listed on the Indiana Veterans database:

United States Medals:

Medal of Honor The highest award given. The Medal of Honor is awarded to a person, while a member of the Army, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while 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 deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of the service will be exacted and each recommendation for the award of this decoration will be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. See: Samuel Woodfill, Jefferson County, WWI Medal of Honor recipient

Distinguished Service Cross Awarded to a person who while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguished himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor; while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing or 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 comrades.

Silver Star 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 while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or 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. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.

Navy Cross Awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of the Medal of Honor while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while 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 Purple Heart was not awarded during WWI, but was reinstated in 1932. The reinstatement was retroactive to include the veterans of WWI, but any award would have been made after the database source information was initially compiled)

European Awards granted to our veterans

French Legion of Honor The premier order of the French republic and is conferred without regard to national origin on the sole condition that whoever is awarded swears to uphold liberty and equality. The emperor Napoleon intended membership in the Legion of Honor to be a distinction of such illustriousness that it would fire people's imagination, spur soldiers to valor and be held in high esteem in other countries.

Croix de Guerre (France) Awarded for bravery to military personnel mentioned in dispatches by a general or commanding officer. For subsequent acts of bravery, the recipient was awarded a palm leaf for Army citations, a gold star for Corps citations, a silver star for Division citations or a bronze star for Brigade and Regimental citations. Awards from other nations of parallel honor to the Croix de Guerre: Croce di Guerre (Italy), and the Croix de Guerre (Belgium).

Croix de Guerre (Belgium)

Awards of other nations parallel to the Silver Star

Order of Leopold II (Belgium) Awarded to Belgians or foreigners for services to the Sovereign of Belgium, and as a token of his personal goodwill.

Order of St. Anne, Russia, WW1 Order of St. Anne (Russia) Awarded for a distinguished career in civil service or valor and distinguished service in the military. For military recipients, it was awarded with swords.

Military Medal, Great Britain, WW1 Military Cross and Military Medal (Great Britain) The Military Cross and the Military Medal were created to recognize the gallantry of junior officers in the field. The two were awarded for "gallantry in the field," the only difference being that the MC was for officers (although not above the rank of captain), and the MM for other ranks. In both cases, additional awards are indicated by silver bars worn over the ribbon.

Unofficial French Medals - Awarded for notable service in specified battles (not listed in official records so will not be cited on the database.)


Verdun	Marne	St. Mihiel	Chateau- Thierry	Somme