Since World War I, military families have displayed service flags in the windows of their homes with a blue star for every member of the family serving in the Armed Forces during a period of war or hostilities. The color of the star is changed to gold if the service member is lost during military operations.

The Purple Heart Medal (PH) is a decoration presented in the name of the President of the United States to recognize members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in battle.

The Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) is an award for Navy and Marine Corps personnel who render satisfactory performance under enemy fire while actively participating in a ground or surface engagement.

The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a decoration presented to recognize all military members who have honorably served in active duty during a declared "national emergency."

The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) is granted for involvement in any military campaign of the United States for which no other service medal is authorized, including Lebanon, Grenada, Somalia, and others.

The Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) is a decoration of the U.S. military presented to personnel of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces who performed military service during the Vietnam War.

The Southwest Asia Service Medal (SWASM) recognizes military members who served active duty in support of Operation Desert Shield or Desert Storm within designated geographical regions during the Persian Gulf War.

The Kosovo Campaign Medal (KCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Armed Forces to individuals who served in Kosovo from 1999 to a date yet to be determined.

The Afghanistan Campaign Medal (ACM) is awarded to military personnel for serving active duty in the borders of Afghanistan. This award is retroactive to October 24th, 2001.

The Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) is a decoration presented by the United States Armed Forces to personnel who served within Iraq or surrounding waters between March 19, 2003 to a date yet to be determined.

The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOT-EM) is presented to members of the U.S. military who have served in the War on Terror while on foreign shores from September 11, 2001 to a yet to be determined date.

The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTS) is presented to members of the U.S. military who have served in the War on Terror from September 11, 2001 to a yet to be determined date. The GWOTS is generally awarded for service within the United States.