This medal, for “extraordinary heroism,” goes to soldiers who seriously risked their tuckuses to bail out their country and fellow soldiers but weren’t quite supermen like Audie Murphy. The Army version (1918) pictured here preceded the Navy (1919) and Air Force (1960) types, and the ribbon colors represent sacrifice, purity, and high purpose. Bonus: Enlisted troops who earn it get a 10 percent increase in retired pay!
