A Variety of Military Awards Honor Courage in Battle

Lieutenant Adam Schwarze serves as a United States Navy SEAL, a member of one of the world’s most highly trained and prepared elite special forces. Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, he has served in nine deployments as a US Marine and a SEAL. Over the course of his military career, Adam Schwarze has earned three medals for valor.

Militaries have for centuries presented distinguished service members with medals honoring bravery and exceptional conduct. The awards presented across the various branches of the American military serve to recognize recipients as role models and inspire new generations to emulate their actions.

First presented in the midst of the American Civil War, the Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award bestowed in cases of exceptional valor on the part of a service member for engagement in action against an enemy combatant. It is the only military medal permitted to be presented by the US President, who awards it on behalf of Congress. The Army, the Air Force, and, collectively, the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, each have their own versions of the medal.

The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest American decoration, while the Silver Star is third. Each was established in the wake of the First World War. Other medals honoring outstanding courage in service include the Bronze Star, established during World War II; the Distinguished Flying Cross; and the Purple Heart for those wounded or killed in action. The Purple Heart, designed in 1932, is based on the design of the Badge of Military Merit created by George Washington.