Mini Medals

[macwilkin]

And, to further add to Rathdown's post, members of the US Armed Forces may wear medals and decorations of some hereditary/honourary military societies, as per this law:

10 USC Sec. 1123

-EXPCITE-

TITLE 10 - ARMED FORCES
Subtitle A - General Military Law
PART II - PERSONNEL
CHAPTER 57 - DECORATIONS AND AWARDS

-HEAD-

Sec. 1123. Right to wear badges of military societies

-STATUTE-

(a) A member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who is
a member of a military society originally composed of men who
served in an armed force of the United States during the
Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War,
the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, or the
Chinese Relief Expedition of 1900 may wear, on occasions of
ceremony, the distinctive badges adopted by that society.

(b) A member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps who is
a member of the Army and Navy Union of the United States may wear,
on public occasions of ceremony, the distinctive badges adopted by
that society.

-SOURCE-

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 88.)

-- http://suvcw.org/mollus/uniform.htm

Regards,

Todd

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The British are as a rule, somewhat FRUGAL in the issuing of Decorations. This is not a bad thing, my decorations mean a hell of a lot to me,for just that reason. I may, in comparison to servicemen from other countries, look like an orphan in the Decoration dept,but my Campaign ribbons mark my service. I am not sure that ribbons for basic skills and courses for promotion should be worn as Decorations. Perhaps I am wrong in my belief that when dressed in Muffti, Campaign and Decorations for Valor are sufficient evidence of Service. I wonder if it was a Decorated veteran who wrote the instructions, for the proper way to mount and display Awards of Service and Valor. These are my personal thoughts and are NOT meant to offend ANYONE.

Broadly speaking, in the military and naval forces of the United States, DECORATIONS are generally awarded for Valor (the Navy Cross), whilst Medals are usually awarded for achievement (the Good Conduct Medal). It should also be pointed out (to those not familiar with U.S. military awards) that not all service ribbons are accompanied by a medal.

[Cerebite]

To get somewhat back on topic regarding miniature medal placement; The US Navy regulations state:
Mess Dress: the lowest row [3 -5 medals per row depending on total worn] is placed 3" below the notch of the lapel starting at the inner edge and extending over the edge of the lapel if necessary.
Dinner Dress: the same as for full dress but with miniature medals.

As others have answered US military regulations still call exclusively for swing mounted, pity I love the look of those court mounted medals