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Re: Civic Augmentations for the US

Posted: 10 Aug 2015, 05:06
by Chris Green
The Congressional Gold Medal does not seem to be covered by the AHS Guidelines. Or am I missing something?

Re: Civic Augmentations for the US

Posted: 10 Aug 2015, 13:50
by JMcMillan
It's covered by the provision that awards with no wearable insignia are not customarily displayed as part of an armorial achievement.

Re: Civic Augmentations for the US

Posted: 10 Aug 2015, 13:52
by JMcMillan
I should have mentioned that the advice we (AHS) give to people who want to know which award is a decoration and which is a service medal is: look at the relevant military service regulations. If the army, e.g., calls it a decoration, it's a decoration and can be displayed with a coat of arms. If it doesn't, it isn't, and can't.

Re: Civic Augmentations for the US

Posted: 10 Aug 2015, 21:11
by Michael F. McCartney
Ditto above, though I don't personally object to a campaign medal if displayed together with a decoration for meritorious achievement or bravery awarded during the same campaign. (A minority view of course)

But even applying the Guidelines as written, there are acceptable ways to include campaign medals, awards with no ribbon, rank insignia, airborne or combat infantryman's badge, marksmanship medal dogtags, distinctive unit insignia, the arms or badge of one's school, home town, fraternal organization, etc. - just not on or dangling below the shield.

Armorial bookplates frequently include a selection of these items in the corners of, or in a decorative border around, the square bookplate - but not on or touching the arms in the center. The same approach can be used on a library painting of the arms, or a shadow box with one's various awards and other memorabilia around or adjacent to an emblazonment of one's arms.

Re: Civic Augmentations for the US

Posted: 19 Aug 2015, 22:10
by Mike_Oettle
A most interesting discussion.
However, since the only medal awarded to me by the South African Army is a campaign medal, and one I am not particularly proud to display, it will not be appearing anywhere near my coat of arms, even in my own home. The medal has never been attached to the ribbon, and both languish in a drawer somewhere.

Re: Civic Augmentations for the US

Posted: 20 Aug 2015, 00:26
by Michael F. McCartney
Hey, simpler is always good!