British and Imperial Forces soldiers who entered a war zone are awarded the British War Medal, which has a distinctive ribbon design. The orange central band is bordered by white, black, and blue lines. On the rim of the medallion, the recipient's name and service number are engraved.
Medals can be crafted from various materials. The most common and easiest to cast metal is bronze. Copper, brass, iron, lead, and zinc are also utilized in the creation of medals. Even relatively inexpensive materials can be gilded or carved to achieve an ornate finish. Additionally, medals have been fashioned from stone, glass, porcelain, and terra cotta. During the Middle Ages, pilgrims who traveled to sacred sites and performed good deeds were frequently awarded medals.
The Medal of Honor is 50 percent larger than other medals because it is the nation's highest valor award. It was born in 1861. During the Apache Wars, the first Medal of Honor was awarded to a soldier who performed heroic acts. Assistant Army surgeon Bernard John Dowling Irwin rescued sixty soldiers from an innkeeper who had fatally wounded the commanding officer.
Medals play an essential role in family history research. Typically, the recipient's information can be found on the medal. The Army maintains an index of over 5 million medal roll index cards. These index cards can be used to search the medal roll for additional family information.
During the 17th century, a great number of large portrait medals were cast. Several renowned sculptors were hired to create these works. Charles IX appointed Germain Pilon controleur général des effigies in 1572. Large portrait plaques of the Valois dynasty, Henry III, and the Danfrie family were among his works.
Additionally, miniature medals are frequently used to honor veterans. As long as the uniform regulations are followed, they are generally acceptable to wear. It is inappropriate to wear miniatures on casual clothing. They should not be affixed to baseball caps or garrison caps, for instance. They should ideally be worn with a suit and tie. They must be aligned on the lapel or pocket of the jacket.
As previously stated, there are a variety of medal types and uses. Soldiers can be awarded medals for exceptional performance. Some of these medals are given to individuals who are wounded or killed in combat. Depending on their rank, a person can be awarded multiple medals. In 1782, the first medal was awarded to a soldier for an exceptional act of valor.
Many reasons exist to be proud of your medal. Participating in the Olympics is a significant accomplishment, for one. Many individuals train their entire lives to reach this point. It is a great honor to bring home an Olympic medal. The competition is fierce, and the ultimate prize is a medal.