Inter-service decorations of the United States military

The United States military inter-service awards and decorations are those medals and ribbons which may be awarded to all members (with certain exceptions) of the five military branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Each military branch awards inter-service awards under the same criteria.

The World War I Victory Medal was the first inter-service award. This was followed by the Purple Heart,Silver Star Medal,Legion of Merit,Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal decorations. Prior to this time, several older service medals had been issued both to the Army and Navy, but in different versions for each service. The World War I Victory Medal, Purple Heart, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal were thus the first medals which appeared identical, regardless of which service was bestowing the award.

By the end of World War II, several World War II service medals had also been established for issuance to both Army and Navy personnel. The United States Coast Guard also received such awards under the authority of the Department of the Navy. After World War II, The Korean Service Medal was the first inter-service non-decoration award which was awarded by all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces; in 1947, the United States Air Force had been established as a separate branch of service. Since 1956, and 2010, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Silver Star Medal may also be awarded by the Coast Guard.

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