Most Discussed

Here's a great post from one of our own here at Medals of America. This was originally posted here and thought it would be a good piece to share with the MilPlace community.

As far back as I can remember I always knew I was going to become a soldier. Why I was so certain I would become a soldier even before entering grade school remains a mystery to even me. All I know is what I wanted to be and nothing was going to change that. As I grew up in life I was asked many times throughout my childhood, “What are you going to be when you grow up?” and the answer always remained the same, simple and short, straight to the point “A Soldier”.

When some of the individuals asking the question replied with “A Soldier” I knew right then the question and comment I had grown to hate the most would soon follow which was, “Why do you want to be a Soldier?”, and my answer has always been the same… Still in the end it never mattered how the reality manifested into being, and how both men and women transformed into the Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines, whether it was active, guards, reserves, Coast Guard, or Border Patrol, one thing remained one and the same, it was the bond that brought us all together as one, that which unites us until that which made us different became the same, and what we thought made us uncommon come into alignment transforming our differences into strengths, tuning our different values and beliefs into common values and beliefs.

It never mattered how we came to be whether by way of draft, enlistment, or even court ordered but what it came to mean to us all was the belief in our Duty, and how that sense of duty mattered more than ourselves. Being taken in by the truths that our founding fathers found to be self evident as we had to learned those simple truths the hard way, but not only did we learn that all men were created equal but also the freedoms we came to love and enjoy was not free but instead came with a very high price. The cost was one that all who wore the uniforms paid, no matter the level of the payment it was paid in the form of Sacrifices. The sacrifices not only made by the men and women in uniforms but by our families, friends, and neighbors as well. Those sacrifices are forever felt and remembered, engraved on our conscience and subconscious thoughts. Sacrifices I mention not to draw sympathy or pity, but instead to paint a masterpiece of pride, and joy in knowing that those sacrifices in some way touched the life of the many, and the acts being forever entrenched in our way of being. Sacrifices that every man and woman, who ever had the pleasure of raising his or her right hand would tell you, if they had a chance to do it again they would.

Then there are those who paid the highest price of all by making the ultimate sacrifice. A Sacrifice so great they would never be able to see the effects of their selfless service. A sacrifice shown only by the beautiful colors that their loved ones received as receipt of their grand payment, that they so proudly display for all to see whether it’s on a flag pole outside of their homes or in a beautiful flag display case, displayed in their homes for all to see. When we join the different branches of service we all joined for many different reasons. It could have been because we had no choice such as our brethren of the World Wars, Korean War, and the Vietnam War as some enlisted while others were drafted, or like our brethren and sisters of the currents wars enlisted, for the GI Bills, the security, or even out of a sense of duty after 911.

No matter what was the initial reasoning behind joining the service, what was the greatest reason that we continued to serve? Some think it may be because of the opportunities but I say to them no one wakes up and hopes for the opportune time to die. Some may think it’s for the benefits but to be honest with you although they help they are not all that great. Some even think it’s for the money but I can assure you that the money certainly could be better.

The truth is all those reasons may have been good reasons but they certainly were not that which held us. We all stayed for one reason and one reason only, that which we came to live for, and at the same time being more than to proud to die for. That which would ensure we are forever remembered in the most sacred of documents in this world and the next, physical and spiritual, forever lasting, and indestructible. We all chose to stay the course for the because of Honor.

We at Medals of America live with a sense of duty each and every day as we continue the fight to ensure your deeds are never forgotten. We are proud to serve our great customers as we can’t help but to feel their sacrifices as we sit and listen to their stories while they place their orders. Being touched by their love, loyalty and devotion to their family members or friends as try to capture a piece of their love ones history for one reason or another. We feel so blessed to be a part of helping you to build your beautiful display cases, mounted medals and military ribbon racks, so you can proudly display your military awards and decorations that you so greatly and selflessly earned. For you all have served and continue to serve with great credit to your family, friends and community and most of all you all served with Honor; so for the sake of Honor, it’s our pleasure to serve you. Thank you all, and most of all thank you all for your service.

Life is only as long as we live… Death is only as long as our memories are remembered… but Honor… Honor lasts forever.

Boris I. Jones
Medals of America


Be sure to visit the Medals of America website for a large selection of Air Force Caps, Marine Corp Medals, Army T-Shirts and tons of other Military Items for Sale. Visit today.

This information on the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal is provided by Medals of America. Medals of America is the premier source for Army Medals and Ribbons, Military Patches, Army Caps and Army Rank. Be sure to visit today and also try out our Army Rack Builder and other custom military builders.



Authorized by the Secretary of the Army on March 3, 1971 and amended by Dept. of the Army General Order 4, 1974, this medal is awarded to any person in the rank of Colonel or below for exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity while serving as a member of the Army National Guard (ARNG), a United States Army Reserve troop program unit (TPU) or as an individual augmentee.

The Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal is 1-1/4 inches in diameter. In the center is a flaming torch symbolizing the vigilance of the Guard and the Reserve and their readiness to come to the Nation’s aid. Two crossed swords in front of and behind the torch represent the history of the Guard and Reserve forged in combat. Left and right of the torch are five pointed stars and the entire design is surrounded by a laurel wreath symbolizing accomplishment. Around these symbols is a twelve pointed star superimposed over a smaller twelve-pointed star indicating the Guard and Reserve’s ability to travel where needed in the United States or the world. In between the points of the larger star are laurel leaves and a berry representing achievement.

On the reverse side of this military medal in the upper center is a miniature breast plate taken from the Army seal. Above this, the outside edge of the medal is inscribed either, “UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE” or “ARMY NATIONAL GUARD.” Along the bottom edge of the medal are the words, “FOR ACHIEVEMENT.”

The ribbon has a wide center stripe of red flanked by narrow stripes of white and blue, reflecting our national colors and patriotism. The outside gold stripes are symbolic of merit. Additional awards are denoted by bronze and silver oak leaf clusters.

This post was originally posted on Medals of America's Blog. It's a great read and a disorder that we all need to be aware of.


Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a very serious disorder that many of our veterans deal with in their lives. While this disorder isn’t always widely recognized, it is important that we support our troops and our veterans. Medals of America is doing its part to raise awareness and support this disorder by offering PTSD merchandise, including PTSD shirts, challenge coins and hats. All PTSD items are great for both active and retired military members helping let all of our soldiers know that they are supported.

While PTSD may not always be widely recognized as a disease or disorder, it is one that is very prevalent, as close to one-third of all soldiers returning home after war suffer from this disorder. Despite being angry, confused and even suicidal, many of these men and women refuse to seek help, as they are afraid it will be seen as a weakness or stigma. However, it is important to remember that it can be through the aid of friends, family, and military leaders that these individuals pull through and can begin the healing process. We all can play a role.

PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder that often affects people after they have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event that threatened them with injury or death. Victims of this disorder may suffer from flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, confusion, guilt and anger—all of which may result in thoughts of suicide. Many cannot stop thinking about the traumatic event, or events, that caused the PTSD. The sooner PTSD is diagnosed and treated, the better.

Helping spread awareness about this disorder and how it affects our country’s military, Medals of America is trying to do its part through the distribution of PTSD merchandise. It is important for those suffering from PTSD to know that they are not alone. Additionally, to support Vietnam Veterans with PTSD, Medals of America donates a portion of every purchase made through their VVA Store to the Vietnam Veterans of America Headquarters in Maryland.

Read the Medals of America press release, discussing this very real disorder, and what we can do to better recognize it here.

This information on the Army Medal of Honor, the highest valor Army Medal available, is provided by Medals of America. Medals of America is the premier source for Army Badges, Military Ribbon Racks and Cap Badges. Be sure to visit today.



Army Medal of Honor Criteria: Awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of one’s own life, above and beyond the call of duty. This gallantry must be performed either while engaged 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 an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Recommendation must be submitted within three years of the act and the military medal must be awarded within five years of the act.

This full size army medal is a five-pointed gold-finished star (point down) with each point ending in a trefoil. Every point of the star has a green enamel oak leaf in its center and a green enamel laurel wreath surrounds the center of the star, passing just below the trefoils. In the center of the star is a profile of the Goddess Minerva encircled by the inscription, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, with a small shield at the bottom. The star is suspended by links from a bar inscribed, “VALOR”, topped by a spread winged eagle grasping laurel leaves in its right talon and arrows in the left. The star represents each State in the United States. The oak leaf represents strength and the laurel leaf represents achievement. The head of Minerva represents wisdom with the shield from the Great Seal of the United States representing lawful authority. The laurel leaves clasped in the right claw of the Federal eagle offer peace while the arrows represent military might if the country’s offer of peace is rejected. The back of the bar holding the star is engraved, “THE CONGRESS TO.” The rest of the medal is smooth to permit engraving the recipient’s name. The ribbon is a light blue moiré patterned silk neck band one and three sixteenths inches wide and twenty four inches long, with a square pad in the center of the same ribbon. Thirteen white stars are woven into the pad.

The first Army Medal of Honor had the same five-pointed star and flag ribbon as the Navy Medal of Honor. The only differences were in the means of suspension. While the Navy medal was suspended by a fouled anchor, the Army’s was suspended from an American eagle with outstretched wings with a stack of eight cannon balls and a sabre in front of crossed cannon. The cannon, shot and sabre represent the artillery and cavalry with the eagle as the national symbol. The top of the ribbon was held by a shield derived from the Great Seal of the United States flanked by two cornucopia, symbolizing America as the land of plenty. The reverse of the medal was engraved with the words, THE CONGRESS TO but was otherwise blank to permit engraving the recipient’s name.

In the years following the Civil War, many veteran’s organizations and other patriotic societies adopted membership badges and insignia which were thinly-disguised replicas of the Medal of Honor. To protect the sanctity of the Medal of Honor, Congress authorized a new ribbon for the medal in 1896 to clearly distinguish it from veterans association’s badges. The basic colors of the original ribbon were not changed, but simply altered.

Unfortunately, the Army Medal of Honor continued to be widely copied and its design criticized. On April 23, 1904 a new design was approved and was granted Patent Number 197,369. In addition to the new planchet, the redesigned award was suspended from the now familiar light blue moire ribbon symbolic of the loyalty and vigilance, containing 13 embroidered white stars representing the 13 original states. This new version of the Medal of Honor is the design that is still used to the present day. The only change that has taken place since the Army Medal of Honor’s adoption in 1904 is the suspension which was modified in 1942 from a pin on breast ribbon to a neck ribbon.