← Military & Defence

Ceremonies and Awards in Military History

Historic moments captured during military award ceremonies, featuring interactions between high-ranking officers and enlisted personnel in various countries.

Major Harris Receives A Decoration From Major General Charles B. Stone At A 14Th Air Force Base In China On 15 October 1945.
Major Harris Receives A Decoration From Major General Charles B. Stone At A 14Th Air Force Base In China On 15 October 1945.
160 assets in this story
6145-48957721
1St Lt. G.B. Mcintosh, Right, Dallas, Texas, Tells Capt. O.V. Jones, Albany, Georgia About His Mision Over Frankfurt, Germany, After His Return To Their Base In Ridgewell, England. This Is The First Mission That Lt. Mcintosh Has Flown Since His Return Fr
4048-22155180
U.S. Lt. William Robertson and Soviet Lt. Alexander Sylvashko embrace. Behind them is a sign, 'East Meets West' to celebrate the meeting of the Soviet (Russian) and American armies, near Torgau, Germany. April 25, 1945. World War 2. (BSLOC_2014_8_79)
6145-48957297
The Order Of Polonia Restitua, Poland'S Highest Award To Foreigner For Services To Her Army Or Nation, Was Presented To These Officers Of The 9Th Af In A Recent Ceremony At Bad Kissingen, Germany. Front Row, L T R., Colonel Bernard J. Tooher, Head Of Ser
6145-48654039
Emergency Mass Feeding, Fort Dix, New Jersey 1954 , Civil defense. Records of the Office of Civil Defense and Defense Mobilization
4048-22155002
Generals Dwight Eisenhower and Omar Bradley, July 19, 1948. They were attending the funeral of General of the WW1 Armies, John Pershing. (BSLOC_2014_8_121)
6145-52084746
MAJ Goodrich receives the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding performance of duties from MGEN Robert E. Haebel, commanding general, Marine Corps Recruit Depot. The ceremony was held during morning colors. Base: Usmc Recruit Depot,Parris Island State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
6145-48941520
Headquarter, Fourteenth Air Force, China -- More Headaches Are In Store For The Japaneses In The Offing As Major General Claire L. Chennault, Commanding General Of The 14Th Air Force In China, Considers Aerial-Photographed Targets On China's Eastern Front. Co
6145-52251763
MGEN John T. Chain is greeted by COL Albert Logan before an F-15 Eagle aircraft flight, part of his visit to the base. In the background is LCOL Thomas Owens. Base: Bitburg Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)
1838-15899
Soldier in Uniform, Portrait, WWII, HQ 2nd Battalion, 389th Infantry, US Army Military Base, Indiana, USA, 1942
6145-29688920
Photo collection prints Anefo Rousel. Series Print Anefo RVD Own Without Caption. Collection of photo collection prints Anefo Rousel, photo number 157-0277. 1956
6145-54453088
DM-SN-85-12982. Base: Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
5513-66634536
Col Rufus S. Bratton, 03726 (Left) Deputy Assistant Chief Of Staff, G-2, HQ Fec, Is Awarded The Second Oak Leak Cluster To The Legion Of Merit By General Mark W. Clark, Cincfe. Col Bratton Is Leaving For The United States And A New Assignment. September 01, 1952. (Photo by U S Army Photograph)
6145-43875226
General Gribble, Chief R & D, visits Watertown , Armories, Ordnance industry, Military personnel, Watertown Arsenal Mass.. Records of U.S. Army Operational
6145-29394866
Anefo photo collection. Offer Gift Dutch Secondment United Nations in Oirschot. From Links Colonel G. H. Christians, Lieutenant Colonel W. D. H. Eekhout, $. October 25, 1956. Oirschot
6145-48962574
Two Members Of 381St Bomb Group Pose For The Photographer After Receiving The Distinguished Flying Cross During A Ceremony At An Air Base Somewhere In England. 14 May 1944.
6145-43876545
Soldier and worker shaking hands , Ordnance industry, Armories, Soldiers, Watertown Arsenal Mass.. Records of U.S. Army Operational
5513-71032517
Chennault Receives Distinguished Flying crossMajor General Claire L. Chennault (right), commander of the 14th U.S. Army Air Force, receives the Distinguished Flying Cross from Major General George L. Stratemeyer, commander of the U.S. Army Air Forces in China, Burma and India Gen. Chennault was cited for distinguished service against the Japanese in the three commands he has held in China. He server first as commander of the American Volunteer Group, the "Flying Tigers" who fought the Japanese before the U.S. entry into the war, then as commander of the China Air Task Force of the U.S. Army, before assuming his present command. December 6, 1943. (Photo by AP Wirephoto).
6145-48674741
Men with awards , Armories, Ordnance industry, Awards, Watertown Arsenal Mass.. Records of U.S. Army Operational
6145-54412329
The Legion of Merit is presented to COL Warren A. Parker upon his retirement from the Army. Making the presentation is by BGEN Bill B. Lefler, deputy commander, United States Army Health Services Command. Base: Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)
6145-54517933
Ozone Park Coast Guardsman Awarded Bronze Star Medal. Coast Guard Captain Frank A. Leamy of 62 Woodmont Road, Belle Haven, Alexandria, VA., presents the Bronze Star Medal to James A. Powers, Seaman Second Class, of 107-1686 Street, Ozone Park, L.I., N.Y., left, in a ceremony aboard the Coast Guard-manned invasion transport on which they served in the initial invasion of France. Powers' citation from Admiral Harold R. Stark, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Europe, reveals in part that Powers, although wounded as a member of a Coast Guard-manned LCM which was hit by shellfire, refused to leave his craft for medical aid until it was hoisted from the water.
6145-52083185
As CSM K. D. Byrd prepares to retire with 25 years of service, he is relieved by SGM R. Edwin Behrend. Byrd passes the command sergeant major's sword to MGEN Lawrence F. Sullivan, base commanding general, during the change of command ceremony. Base: Albany State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
6145-29360257
Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Meeting Ridau M.W.O. With man k.l .. KNIL soldier with distinction Military William Order Talk to a soldier of the December 7 division. February 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies
6145-48700639
Leon Caragulian , Uniforms, Veterans' organizations, American Legion. Leon Abdalian Collection
6145-29363669
Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Salatiga. Celebration of the 134th anniversary of the Hussars of Boreel by the 2nd Eskadron armored cars. The Corps Commander, Major F. Rouffaer congratulates Adjutant O.O. H. de Jager with his bronze medal for 12 years of loyal service. November 25, 1947. Indonesia, Java, Dutch East Indies, Salatiga
6145-43871513
Emergency Mass Feeding, Fort Dix, New Jersey 1954 , Civil defense. Records of the Office of Civil Defense and Defense Mobilization
6145-48933823
Wac Private First Class Flora Meunier Of 186 Fourth Street, Leominster, Mass., Receives The First Dispath In Her New Duties As Driver In The Air Transport Command In Hawaii, From Pvt. First Class Hollas Floyd Of 2513 1/2 West 18Th St., Los Angeles, Calif.
6145-52084162
Air Force CHIEF of STAFF GEN Lew Allen Jr. presents the Cheney Award of 1980 to Captains Kim F.P. Skrinak and Ronald W. Summers at the ceremony at the Pentagon. The captains were involved in an HH-1H Iroquois helicopter mission to rescue an injured glider pilot, who had crashed into a mountain on 24 January 1980. Base: Arlington State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
6145-48963957
The chef of the 11th Airborne Division on Leyte Island in the Philippines, bargains with two Filipinos for a dozen eggs and a chicken.
6145-54278837
Veterans of Foreign Wars Give Books. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel
6145-48942263
Emergency Gas Containers, 1340Th Aaf Base Unit, Kunming, China. 25 June 1945.
5513-67607808
Maj. Gen. Blackshire M. Bryan, Deputy chief of Staff, Far East Command, presents the United Nations medal to a Wounded Turkish Soldier, Aboard The USNS Gen. Le Roy Eltinge, 2nd T. Major Port. Yokohama, Japan. July 13, 1952.(Photo by CPL Wayne K Saiget).
6145-54519254
Washingtonian honored as "Typical Coast Guardsman". This image depicts artwork of Coast Guard Rear Admiral Charles A. Park presenting the Medal of Honor to Coast Guard Combat Artist Bruno Figallo, photographed by the American Legion.
6145-48660764
Group photo ,. Records of U.S. Army Operational
6145-29560987
Anefo photo collection. 41 Soldiers from Schiphol left for Sudan,. August 24, 1974. Noord-Holland, Schiphol
6145-48727135
Col. Mesick shaking hands with man , Ordnance industry, Armories, Military officers, Watertown Arsenal Mass.. Records of U.S. Army Operational
6145-54578524
Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.
6145-48641344
Brig. Gen. Detrick and woman with papers , Ordnance industry, Armories, Military officers, Watertown Arsenal Mass.. Records of U.S. Army Operational
4443-21898214
Warrant Officers' Club Garrison Club at German colony, Jerusalem Playing keen on checking numbers, Israel
6145-52933694
Marine First Lieutenant Douglas Caldwell is being promoted to his current rank and integrated into the Marine Corps regulars during a ceremony in Vietnam. He is being promoted by Col. R.G. Lawffer, the Commanding Officer of Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, on July 18, 1968. This photograph captures the significant moment. Image Reference: Pab A371600 127 GVB-78 A
6145-52126214
Brig. GEN. Frederick F. Doppelt, commander, Aerospace Medical Division, presents a copy of the general order establishing the Air Force Drug Testing Laboratory at the base to COL. J.P. Amor, the laboratory's first commanding officer. Base: Brooks Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)
6145-29365294
Photo collection Government information service. Series Print Anefo RVD Own Without Caption. Collection Photo Collection National Information Service Private, Photo number 156-0341. 1956
6145-51421414
Sergeant Dietrich
6145-29354098
Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. Two soldiers posing for a ship?. 1946. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies
6145-52929629
NTC Visit from Ronald Reagan.
6176-66917150
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur and Lt. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright greet each other at the New Grand Hotel, Yokohama, Japan on August 31, 1945, in their first meeting since they parted on Corregidor more than three years before.
6145-48951002
Shown Here Is Sgt. Eddie Cope Of Austin, Texas, Illustrates The Sign Language Enabling American Gi'S In Italy To Carry On Long And Involved Conversations With The Local Talent. 'I Don'T Understand You...Come Here.' The Right Hand, Held Still, Is Waved D
6177-V53476439
5513-71032538
Son of U. S. Air hero Enlists in Navy.Robert K. Chennault, 17-year-old son of Brig. Gen Claire Chennault, commander of a U.S. Air task force in China, is sworn in as a U.S. Navy recruit. Robert's father won fame as commander of the "Flying Tigers" an American squadron of volunteer combat Flyers who fought the Japs in the far East before the outbreak of war between Japan and the United States.Three Other Chennault brother are in the Air Force, another is already in the Navy and one is in a defence training school. January 18, 1943. (Photo by Interphoto News Picture Inc).
6145-48946002
Brig. Gen. Edgar E. Glenn And Maj. Gen. Claire Chennault Converse. China.
6145-45804886
A German Wehrmacht soldier on a bridge. A German Wehrmacht soldier poses on a bridge over a canal. Along the canal a dyke. Photo associated with album 'Kriegservernerungen'.
5513-72814296
Veteran Convicted Of Collaboration - Cpl. Harold N. Dunn, of Brooklyn, N.Y., stands with his wife, Iris, during recess today in his court martial trial on Governors Island, Dunn, who hadpleaded guilty to collaborating with the enemy while a prisoner of war in Korea, was found guilty formally by an Army court martial. Second phase of trial will be to determine whether there were any mitigating or extenuating circumstances surrounding the offense. Mrs. Dunn is expecting a child later this summer. June 28, 1955. (Photo by AP Wirephoto).
6145-52093643
Colonel Mead, 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit commander, talks with a Lebanese civilian while awaiting a shipment of food supplies. Marines from the 32nd MAU have been deployed here to participate in a multinational peacekeeping operation. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)
6145-29356529
Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Reception Lieutenant-Governor General H.J. Van Mook. Officers at a reception, given by Lieutenant Governor General H.J. Van Mook. Links General Dürst Britt, Commander December 7 Division. November 16, 1946. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies
4048-22155761
Major General Oliver Smith with Lieutenant Colonel Ray Murray, left, and Colonel Lewis Puller, right, Christmas, 1950. These three seasoned commanders lead their troops wisely in the face of unrealistic ambitions of the senior commanders Major Gen. Ned Almond and Commander in Chief, Douglas MacArthur. Korean War, 1950-53. (BSLOC_2014_11_98)
6145-54418856
Upon his retirement, the Legion of Merit is presented to COL John C. McNerney by LGEN James H. Merryman, deputy chief of staff of Research Development and Acquisition. Looking on is the McNerney family. From left to right, front row: daughters Katie, Maura and Elizabeth; back row: Carol, Molly and wife Margie. The ceremony is held at the Pentagon. Base: Arlington State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
6145-54417139
MGEN James J. McMonagle, commanding general, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, presents MSGT Canfield the Legion of Merit medal during his retirement ceremony. Base: Usmc Recruit Depot,Parris Island State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
6145-48660731
Group of military officers , Military officers. Records of U.S. Army Operational
6145-54438047
STAFF SGT. John Warren, production supervisor at the 354th Component Repair Squadron senior photo shop, performs a voltage check on the gun camera of an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. Base: Myrtle Beach Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
6145-51885929
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (July 18, 2022) File photo circa 1991 captioned, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Colin Powell, receives a 115th Combat Wing command plaque from wing commander, Col. Andreas Aggeleas”. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., Allied, and Partner nation forces to be where they are needed when they are needed to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.
6145-48726840
Officer Sibert and men with award , Military officers, Awards, Watertown Arsenal Mass.. Records of U.S. Army Operational