What is your favorite medal and why?

Mine would be the Naval Meritorious Unit Citation for our unit's participation in the Tripoli bombing.  The Air Force, for some reason, would not award us anything.  The CIC of Naval Operations, as it was a joint mission, awarded it to the 48th TFW.

How many times have you heard of a servicemember going above and beyond, ranging from something small to the absolute most heroic, only to have their citation downgraded because of politics, prejudice, pettiness, etc? With each story I hear, my faith in "the system" that awards medals is equally downgraded. My Air Force Commendation Medal means the world to me. I know what went into earning it. But some officer made a decision to also award tens of other airmen who just happened to be in the same vicinity, as if he/she was trying to water down the importance of the citations.

So for me, I'm tempted to say the Basic Training ribbon. It may be the first and last award we receive for which the standards are the same across the board. Not taking away from the other medals or those who've earned them. But I no longer look at a ribbon rack and assume anything. Too many have received medals they don't deserve; too many have been robbed of those they do.

I wouldn't point out just one medal. I would say having the U.S. flag on my shoulder and fighting for the greatest nation on earth is the greatest thing I have ever worn

Humanitarian Service Medal - Evacuation of noncombatants from Beirut, Lebanon (1984)

I got my first AAM before I knew what it was.  I was awarded it for learning and executing my job with little assistance and in line with the OPTEMPO of the newly created organization (company-level).

My favorite medal will be the one I get upon retirement.

ASR the begining of it all getting what everyone else earned knowing i was a part of what my family had done being a part of the team per say all the others were staying out of trouble or being in the rite place rite time really i treasur coins more each have a story. Most regretable moment cleaning barracks for troops redeployment while the SOD held a formation to give out the second highest coin possible to receive while in sevice just giving to everyone who was in the formation.

My favorites are the medals that I wasn't awarded that I worked so hard for but received no recognition.

Have you ever noticed its always the people with a chest full of recognition that say, "They don't deserve a medal. They are just doing their job"?

ARCOM being the only female on PSD in Afghanistan for my brigade.

MOVSM for picking up soldiers under the SADD program.