TheUnited States Armed Forces authorize certain medal and ribbondevices that may be worn if authorized on a defined set ofUnited States military decorations and awards.^[1] The devices vary between3⁄16 inch to13⁄32 inch in size and are usually attached to suspension andservice ribbons of medals and to unit award ribbons. The devices are usually made of brass or metal alloys that appear gold, silver, or bronze in color with either a dull or polished look. The devices may denote additional awards of the same decoration or award, an award for valor or meritorious combat service, participation in a particular campaign, periods of honorable service, specific events, and other special meanings. These are sometimes referred to asaward devices, but are most commonly referred to in service regulations andDepartment of Defense instructions simply as "devices" for awards and decorations.

On January 7, 2016, theSecretary of Defense approved two new devices for medals and ribbons: a"C" Device which will be affixed to multi-purpose performance awards in recognition of meritorious service under combat conditions and, an"R" Device which will be affixed to non-combat performance awards to specifically recognize remote but direct impact on combat operations.^[2][3][4] The "R" device is to be a bronze letter "R",1⁄4 inch in size.^[5] Both of the devices will be worn if authorized for wear, on specific decorations.^[6] The services have a year to implement these changes.^[7][8]

The following is a list of U.S. military service devices for medals and ribbons:

The following are examples of various devices affixed to different service ribbons:

	Legion of Merit with "C" device
	Distinguished Flying Cross with one silver and two bronze Oak Leaf Clusters indicating a total of eight awards
	Bronze Star Medal with bronze "V" Device
	Meritorious Service Medal with "R" device
	Air Medal, five awards, of which four were for valor, and bronzeStrike/Flight numeral 3 (Navy and Marine Corps)
	Air Medal, five awards, of which one was for valor, one for combat, and one for remote
	Coast Guard Achievement Medal with one silver and two gold 5/16 inch stars indicating a total of eight awards
	Army Good Conduct Medal (10 awards)
	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Fleet Marine Force Combat Operation Insignia and one silver 3/16 inch Service Star indicating a total of six awards
	Vietnam Service Medal with Arrowhead Device indicating at least one combat jump/amphibious assault and two bronze 3/16 inch Campaign Stars
	Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with "N" Device
	Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with Arctic Device
	Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze Hourglass Device for ten years of service, "M" Device for mobilization, and "3" Numeral Device indicating three mobilizations
	Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon withgold frame
	World War I Victory Medal with bronzeMaltese cross(for Marines fighting in France and not eligible for abattle clasp, also for parts of Navy Medical Corps)
	American Defense Service Medal with Atlantic device
	Army of Occupation Medal with Berlin Airlift Device
	Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device for mobilization and gold and bronze hourglass devices for 40 years of Reserve service (30 years and 10 years respectively)
	Coast Guard Distinguished Marksman Award for Rifle
	Coast Guard Silver Pistol Shot Excellence-In-Competition Award
	Coast Guard Bronze Rifle Excellence-In-Competition Award
	Coast Guard PistolMarksmanship Medal (a Coast Guard PistolMarksmanship Ribbon with silverExpert Device)
	Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon with bronzeSharpshooter Device
	Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award with gold and bronze palm devices
	Missouri National Guard Governors Twelve Ribbon with three hawthorn clusters

Unit awards

	Navy E Ribbon with silver wreathed E device (four or more awards)
	NavyPresidential Unit Citation with Nautilus device
	NavyPresidential Unit Citation with Globe device
	Coast GuardPresidential Unit Citation with Hurricane Device
	Coast Guard Unit Commendation with Operational Distinguishing Device

• United States military award devices
• United States military-related lists

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata