The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. It is often colloquially referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor becaus e the President presents the award "in the name of the Congress". It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States".
The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration awarded in the name of the President of the United States to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military.
The Combat Action Ribbon is awarded to an individual who has rendered satisfactory performance under enemy fire while actively participating in a ground or surface engagement.

The National Defense Service Medal is issued to any member of the United States military who served in a designated time period of which a “national emergency” had been declared.
The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The medal is issued to recognize military service during the Vietnam War and is authorized to service members in every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded for service South Vietnam. Established in 1966, the decoration is a service medal of the Vietnam War and was the most commonly bestowed foreign military award to the United States military personnel prior to the Gulf War.