Pyramid of Honor

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In the U.S. military, the pyramid of honor designates the relative status of military awards.

Italics indicate awards that are for bravery not against an enemy

Awards for Valor

Army	Navy and Marines	Air Force
Medal of Honor	Medal of Honor	Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross	Navy Cross	Air Force Cross
Silver Star	Row 3, Column 2	Row 3, Column 3
Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat V	Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat V	Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat V
Soldier's Medal	Navy and Marine Corps Medal	Airman's Medal
Bronze Star with Combat V	Bronze Star with Combat V	Bronze Star with Combat V
Air Medal with Combat V ^[1]	Air Medal with Combat V	Air Medal with Combat V

Awards for Noncombat achievement

Army	Navy and Marines	Air Force	Joint
Distinguished Service Medal	Distinguished Service Medal	Distinguished Service Medal	Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit	Legion of Merit	Legion of Merit
Bronze Star	Bronze Star	Bronze Star
Army Commendation Medal	Navy Commendation Medal	Air Force Commendation Medal	Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal	Navy Achievement Medal	Air Force Achievement Medal	Joint Service Achievement Medal

Recognition of serving well in combat

Army	Navy ^[2]	Air Force
Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Close Combat Badge	Combat Action Ribbon

References

↑ There is a different V for individual acts, and for numbers of combat missions (i.e., "strike/flight")
↑ the Marine Corps does not have a distinguishing combat badge