Which badges or medals are more rare than the Medal of Honor?

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 19:46:23 -0400

There are 325 triple CIB Infantrymen, and 3,471 Medal of Honor Recipients.
Are there any other medals or badges that have been awarded fewer times than the Medal of Honor?

Response by SGT James Elphick made Mar 27 at 2015 7:50 PM

SGT James Elphick — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 19:50:25 -0400

The Distinguished Warfare Medal? HAHAHAHA!

Response by SGT James Elphick made Mar 27 at 2015 7:53 PM

SGT James Elphick — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 19:53:20 -0400

In all seriousness though, I think the President's Hundred Tab might have been awarded less than the MOH

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 27 at 2015 7:54 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 19:54:09 -0400

To be fair, it's only been awarded since 1941, and only to 1 MOS series. How many Triple Combat Medic Badges or CARs with 2+ Stars are there?

Response by SGT Nia Chiaraluce made Mar 27 at 2015 7:59 PM

SGT Nia Chiaraluce — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 19:59:53 -0400

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Mar 27 at 2015 8:19 PM

SGM Billy Herrington — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:19:40 -0400

Sentinel badge for the tomb of the unknown maybe?

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Mar 27 at 2015 9:07 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 21:07:11 -0400

I have the Israeli Submarine (non command) pin... (but it's not official)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 9:22 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 21:22:15 -0400

Army space badge or astronaught badge

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Mar 27 at 2015 10:36 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 22:36:18 -0400

How about a triple CMB?

The Combat Medical Badge: The First Triple Recipients
http://ameddregiment.amedd.army.mil/heraldic/triple.html

Army Medical Department Regiment

ACCESS TO CARE (TRICARE Link) ABOUT THE AMEDD REGIMENT AMEDD HERALDIC ITEMS ARMY AWARDS FOR VALOR AND THEIR CRITERIA AMEDD MEDAL OF HONOR CERTIFICATE OF MERIT AMEDD DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS AMEDD SILVER STAR AMEDD NCO/ENLISTED HISTORY COMMAND SERGEANTS MAJOR OF HSC/MEDCOM AMEDD REGIMENTAL MUSIC COMBAT MEDIC PRAYER AMEDD POSTERS ORDER OF MILITARY MEDICAL MERIT (02M3)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2015 11:34 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 23:34:56 -0400

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA , According to the National Infantry Museum, there are 325 recipients of the 3rd award CIB

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2015 9:49 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 09:49:50 -0400

Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge,
I don't know the current count, but as of last year only 625 had ever been awarded.

The Army Astronaut Badge and Space Badge have been awarded less than that.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 28 at 2015 11:39 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 11:39:36 -0400

As this is a "multiple award" (3rd Award) then wouldn't dual recipients of the Medal of Honor be rarer? 19 of those.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2015 11:50 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 11:50:01 -0400

Don't forget that when first awarded the MOH was basically a GCM - with only a loose connection to gallantry in action...

http://www.cmohs.org/medal-history.php

One of the first enactment's authorized 2,000 medals to be awarded to SGTs and PVTs, for among other things, "Soldier-like qualities".

CMOHS.org - History of the Medal of Honor

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2015 9:43 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 21:43:45 -0400

The Four Chaplains Medal (also known as the Chaplain's Medal of Honor or the Chaplain's Medal for Heroism). It was only awarded 4 times, posthumously to the 4 Army chaplains who went down together onboard the USS Dorchester when it was sunk by a torpedo from the German submarine U-223. It is still an official medal but has never been awarded again.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 8:09 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 08:09:49 -0400

I was told in 1978 that more Medals of Honor have been awarded than Tomb Guard Badges (for those who serve at the Tomb of the Unknowns). That was 1978, so things might have changed since then.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 1 at 2015 8:42 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 08:42:15 -0400

I think along with the awards already mentioned, the POW Medal has to be mentioned. While a quick Google Search didn't result in an exact number of times this medal was issued, it has only been around since the last 1980s.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Apr 1 at 2015 7:53 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 19:53:49 -0400

USAF Enlisted Astronaut Badge.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 8:00 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 20:00:56 -0400

Not rare badges but our Chaplain during my second deployment with 1-26 Infantry in Baghdad ended up being awarded the CAB and a Purple Heart.

Not sure how many chaplains have been awarded the CAB?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 8:25 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 20:25:45 -0400

The Air Force Combat Action ribbon for enlisted. That's more rare than an elephant in Antarctica. And worth zero promotion points to boot.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 12 at 2015 10:19 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 10:19:24 -0400

A triple award for a badge is still the same badge. Whether you have one ARCOM, or a hundred ARCOM's, you still just have an ARCOM, a very common award. Now the Tomb Guard badge, or the Astronaut badge, now THOSE are rare badges..

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Apr 19 at 2015 6:13 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 18:13:56 -0400

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA, here's an unusual badge, and one that'll never be worn again since the organization was dissolved on 6JUL12! By the way, please don't think it's any kind of an award or an achievement, nor do I mean to compare it to any of the extraordinary valor awards in this discussion thread. Everyone assigned to the National Communications System (DOD) was authorized to wear it, so it was really only an identification badge of sorts and it's certainly not rare. However, I'm sure there are few members of RP that are aware of this ole badge! The NCS badge was worn centered on the right breast pocket of the Class A and Class B Army uniforms (and corresponding uniforms for the other services), and DOD issued their own memorandum authorizing the wear of the badge. I served in the NCS from NOV94 to MAY98.

Response by MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM made Apr 29 at 2015 7:24 AM

MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 07:24:03 -0400

SPC, just because some of these have been awarded fewer times doesn't mean they are automatically "more rare". The CIB can only be awarded to (army)(infantry). If you took the total number of triple CIB's and divided it by the total eligible you would get a higher percentage than if you were to divide MOH recipients by total eligible. All mentioned are rare and meaningful but nothing tops the MOH. Also, don't forget that having a CIB doesn't necessarily speak for that individual's actions. It is possible that they were hit by an IED, IDF or that they hid behind a rock. How many times have we heard about the guy that goes out hunting for a first, second or third CIB? Nothing tops the MOH and nothing else "more rare".

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 11:49 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 11:49:59 -0400

Tomb of unknowns badge. I think it's second most rare.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 23 at 2015 6:28 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 18:28:38 -0400

You'll see various foreign awards which are rare because so few of us get them over a long period or very few were associated with the short operation. The later case in point was the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) for those who worked the recovery operation on the NZP Flight TE901, a DC-10 that flew into the side of Mt. Erebus, Antarctica on November 28, 1979. It was awarded to civilians as well.

There's a pretty long list of foreign awards that can be worn after all other US awards. I don't recall seeing this one on a list but haven't looked for many years.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Sep 6 at 2015 11:47 AM

SSG Robert Webster — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 11:47:45 -0400

There is one medal that is rarer than the Medal of Honor, but not quite as rare as the Chaplain's Medal of Honor (4) or the Marine Brevet Medal (23/20). And it is the lowest in precedence of ALL US Military Service decorations. That medal is the Congressional Space Medal of Honor with a total of 28 recipients. Seventeen of those posthumously.

Response by SFC Stan Ellis made Dec 10 at 2015 3:45 PM

SFC Stan Ellis — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:45:43 -0500

I'd be interested to see any stats on the Distinguished Rifleman's Badge.

Response by SGT Reed Cundiff made Aug 12 at 2017 8:36 PM

SGT Reed Cundiff — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 20:36:59 -0400

The Brigade Parachute officer in 173rd (a warrant) and Father Gielo (Bde Catholic Chaplain) made combat drops in WW II, Korea, and drop at Katum in RVN). BDE Protestant Chaplain's family r ceived MOH

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 30 at 2018 9:19 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 21:19:26 -0500

Army Nuclear Reactor Badge seems to be pretty rare, I know of no one who ever had it.

Response by SSG Joseph VanDyck made Feb 2 at 2018 5:40 PM

SSG Joseph VanDyck — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 17:40:29 -0500

This is the most rare and to never ever be awarded again patch/ mos identifier

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 5:58 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 17:58:29 -0500

The rarest medal or badge currently awarded I believe is the Army Astronaut badge. It's awarded to any Army personnel who undergo astronaut training, AND have been on a space mission. Those who are astronauts and haven't flown a mission (and don't previously have an aviation badge) are awarded the standard Army Aviator Badge.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2018 7:22 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 19:22:35 -0500

The elusive Master Gunner badge that so many "stuck in mechanized forever" soldiers want.

Response by SSG Andrew Giordano made Feb 4 at 2018 12:25 PM

SSG Andrew Giordano — Sun, 04 Feb 2018 12:25:02 -0500

The U.S. Army's Astronaut badge. How many of those can there be?

Response by 1SG Dennis McMahon made Feb 5 at 2018 2:06 PM

1SG Dennis McMahon — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 14:06:15 -0500

Tomb Guard Identification Badge. 645 or so times awarded. I earned #320 in 1988

Response by SPC Douglas Eldredge made Feb 10 at 2018 8:06 AM

SPC Douglas Eldredge — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 08:06:36 -0500

Army Astronaut Badge

Response by Bernie Goodin made Feb 13 at 2018 10:56 PM

Bernie Goodin — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 22:56:42 -0500

This person was in conbat in 3 wars probably. Ww2 , Korea , Vietnam.the

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2018 4:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 16:27:24 -0500

The badge that no one's gets, giving your life for their country.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2018 3:30 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 15:30:27 -0500

A one-time only posthumous Special Medal for Heroism was authorized by Congress and awarded by the President Eisenhower on January 18, 1961.

http://www.fourchaplains.org/the-saga-of-the-four-chaplains/

The Story – Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation

It was the evening of Feb. 2, 1943, and the U.S.A.T. Dorchester was crowded to capacity, carrying 902 service men, merchant seamen and civilian workers.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 25 at 2018 11:11 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 23:11:49 -0400

I'm not sure all of these are rarer than the Medal of Honor but here are some very rare Military Awards - most of which are no longer awarded.
Specially Meritorious Service Medal - Spanish American War - only 14 awarded
Marine Corps Brevet Medal - only 23 awarded
Dewey Medal
NC-4 Medal - about 20 awarded
Army Nuclear Reactor Operator Badges
Gold Lifesaving Medal
Tomb Guard Badge
Coast Guard Medal
Philippine Congressional Medal
Certificate of Merit Medal - only 361 awarded
Four Chaplains Medal - only 4 awarded
Byrd Expedition Medal
2nd Byrd Expedition Medal
United States Antarctic Expedition Medal
Wintered Over Clasp to Antarctic Service Medal
Wake Island Clasp to Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medals - about 500 awarded
Vice Presidential Service Badge

Corrections and omissions appreciated
It should be kept in mind when evaluating the rarity of the Medal of Honor that about 2,000 Medals of Honor were awarded for actions before 1905 when the next oldest US Military medal was established. Thus, about 2/3rd of Medals of Honor were awarded when there was no other award to be had.

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 26 at 2018 1:55 PM

SPC David Willis — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 13:55:34 -0400

I don't want to denigrate any MOH recipients and I'm fuzzy with the history, but were they awarded at a higher rate during the civil war for perhaps less extreme measures than they are today?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2018 2:59 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 14:59:10 -0400

Y’all forgot one! Actual medal presented to VP Joe Biden

Response by Capt Bob Soldner made May 14 at 2018 12:07 PM

Capt Bob Soldner — Mon, 14 May 2018 12:07:44 -0400

IMO, This is by All means the most educational thread that has been posted since I don't know . It is refreshing to see something other than what 99% of the posts are about. Thank you all for the posts and your comments.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made May 14 at 2018 12:11 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Mon, 14 May 2018 12:11:12 -0400

There have only been 16 people who have ever qualified for the army's astronaut badge. This makes it the rarest award in the army at around 200 times as rare as the medal of honor.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 14 at 2018 12:41 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 14 May 2018 12:41:10 -0400

Nuclear Reactor Badge Comes to mind

Response by LtCol George Carlson made May 16 at 2018 1:02 AM

LtCol George Carlson — Wed, 16 May 2018 01:02:27 -0400

I suspect the Naval Aviator wings for LTA (lighter than air) craft is a pretty small number also.

Response by LTC Jason Carter made Sep 3 at 2018 1:54 PM

LTC Jason Carter — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 13:54:59 -0400

I remember that my Accounting teacher in my junior college was one of the 325. He had a belt buckle with the CIB and 2 stars. Sadly, I cannot remember his name.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2018 5:11 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 17:11:28 -0400

The Iraq Commitment Medal. It was created by the Iraqi government for US forces that served in Iraq, but the DoD is requiring the Iraqi government to provide them to US troops (as opposed to us buying them at AAFES), so only 1 has been awarded... to Joe Biden.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Commitment_Medal

Iraq Commitment Medal - Wikipedia

The Iraq Commitment Medal is a military campaign award that was created on June 11, 2011 by the Government of Iraq. The Iraq Minister of Defense, Dr. Saadoun Al-Dlaimi offered the medal to Veterans of the Iraq War in a letter to the United States Secretary of Defense.[2] To this day, the award has still not been approved for wear for United States Iraq War Veterans. In 2013, the Department of Defense made a statement that it is still waiting...

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2019 12:16 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 12:16:07 -0400

How about rare combinations of awards or awards and skill sets? How many soldiers have an EIB and CIB? I met a CW4 UH-60 Pilot who had been a Drill Sergeant, it was all but impossible to picture him as a Drill Sergeant. I once saw, but did not get to talk to, a Chaplin with a Master EOD badge. I would have liked to have heard his story.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2019 1:19 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 13:19:46 -0400

Tomb of the unknown for one. Fun fact: a very disproportionate number were given during the civil war, and before. Used to be much more common than it is today.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2019 12:27 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 12:27:29 -0400

Not perhaps more rare than the MoH (I don't know the numbers), but the Enlisted SEAL Trident was used from 1970-1978.

Also, the UDT Officer and Enlisted badge was only used for some 25 years.

Response by SGT Tom Recupero made Feb 7 at 2020 6:15 PM

SGT Tom Recupero — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 18:15:17 -0500

Army Space Badge

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2020 6:34 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 18:34:09 -0500

Military horseman badge less then 100 awarded as of right now. Granted it’s a newer badge

Response by SGT Robert Cupp made Feb 8 at 2020 5:35 AM

SGT Robert Cupp — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 05:35:42 -0500

I bet this badge hasn't been awarded nearly as much as the medal of Honor. It's pretty rare.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2020 10:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 22:18:46 -0400

Triple CMB. Twice.