§ 578.20 - Army Commendation Medal.

(a) Criteria. The Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) was established by War Department (WD) Circular 377, on December 18, 1945 (amended in DAGO 10, March 31, 1960). It is awarded to any members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after December 6, 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service. Award may be made to a member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation who, after June 1, 1962, distinguishes himself or herself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service, which has been of mutual benefit to a friendly nation and the United States.

(1) Awards of the ARCOM may be made for acts of valor performed under circumstances described above which are of lesser degree than required for award of the Bronze Star Medal. These acts may involve aerial flight.

(2) An award of the ARCOM may be made for acts of non-combat related heroism, which do not meet the requirements for an award of the Soldier's Medal.

(3) The ARCOM will not be awarded to general officers.

(4) Awards of the ARCOM may be made on letter application to NPRC (see § 578.16(a)(3) for address), to any individual commended after December 6, 1941 and before January 1, 1946 in a letter, certificate, or order of commendation, as distinguished from letter of appreciation, signed by an officer in the grade or position of a major general or higher. Awards of the Army Commendation Ribbon and of the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant are re-designated by DAGO 10, March 31, 1960, as awards of the ARCOM, without amendments of certificates or of orders previously issued.

(5) The Commander, Eighth U.S. Army is authorized to award the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service to Korean Augmentation to U.S. Army (KATUSA) personnel.

(b) Description. On a 13/8-inch bronze hexagon, one point up, an American bald eagle with wings displayed horizontally grasping three crossed arrows and bearing on its breast a shield paly of 13 pieces and a chief. On the reverse between the words “For Military” and “Merit” a panel, all above a sprig of laurel. A moired silk ribbon 13/8 inches in length and 13/8 inches in width, composed of stripes of white (3/32-inch), green (25/64-inch), white (1/32-inch), green (1/16-inch), white (1/32-inch), green (1/16-inch), white (1/32-inch), green (1/16-inch), white (1/32-inch), green (1/16-inch), white (1/32-inch), green (25/64-inch), and white (3/32-inch).