civilian decorations of the united states

Civilian decorations of the United States are awards of the United States of America which are bestowed by various agencies of the United States government for acts of accomplishment benefiting the government as a whole. Contrary to the awards and decorations of the United States military, U.S. civilian decorations are typically issued for sustained meritorious service over a period of time rather then for a specific heroic or meritorious act. United States civilian awards and issued by federal, state, and local authorities with the most recognizable decorations issued on the federal level. Awards and decorations of the National Guard exist in a grey zone as civilian and military awards since they are issued by the State Adjutant General (a civilian office) but authorized under certain circumstances for wear on United States armed forces uniforms. Certain other civilian decorations may be authorized for wear on U.S. military awards, upon approval of the military service departments. Each of the military branches also maintains their own series of civilian decorations separate from military awards. The following is a listing of United States civilian decorations:

Federal government

Executive Branch

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Presidential Medal of Freedom

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Presidential Citizens Medal

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Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor

Legislative Branch

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Congressional Gold Medal of Honor

NASA

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Congressional Space Medal of Honor

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NASA Distinguished Service Medal

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NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal

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NASA Space Flight Medal

Central Intelligence Agency

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Distinguished Intelligence Cross

National Intelligence Agency

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National Security Medal

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National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal

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National Intelligence Achievement Medal

Department of Transportation

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Department of Transportation Distinguished Service Medal

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Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Achievement Medal

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Guardian Medal

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9-11 Medal

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9-11 Ribbon

Department of Health and Human Services

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Surgeon General's Medal

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Public Health Service Achievement Medal

National Security Agency

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National Security Agency Service Medal

Federal Emergency Management Agency

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FEMA Distinguished Service Medal

Department of Defense

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Defense Medal of Valor

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Defense Civilian Service Medal

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Defense Public Service Medal

Department of the Army

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Army Civilian Service Medal

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Army Commander's Award for Public Service

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Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service

Department of the Air Force

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Civilian Medal of Valor

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Air Force Distinguished Civil Service Medal

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Civilian Aerial Achievement Medal

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Exemplary Civilian Service Award

Department of the Navy

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Navy Civilian Valor Medal

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Distinguished Civilian Service Medal

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Superior Civilian Service Medal

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Meritorious Civilian Service Medal

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

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DTRA Distinguished Service Medal

Defense Commissary Agency

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DCA Distinguished Service Medal

Department of Justice

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Justice Department Distinguished Service Medal

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

ATF Distinguished Service Medal

State government

The most numerous of state decorations are National Guard awards, which are awarded by the State Adjutant General of each state government. In addition, each of the fifty U.S. states maintains a series of civilian decorations which are normally awarded under the authority of the state governor.

Local government

Local civilian awards and decorations are by far the most numerous of all United States decorations. Bestowed by town, city, and county governments, local civilian awards also include most United States law enforcement decorations.