Military Awards and Decorations - 1949-2011

Very limited information was available until recently on the medals and badges of the PLA. The current basis for awards is the "PLA Discipline Regulations Regulations" promulgated by the PRC Central Military Commission on March 23, 2002. During the revolutionary war, because of the wartime environment, there was no uniform requirement for issuing and making decorations and medals in the army. Medals were generally authorized above Division level, and gold, silver and bronze were used. During the Revolutionary War, because at war environment, the PLA production of medals were awarded according to no uniform regulations. During the Agrarian Revolutionary War, there were awarded "Dongjiang riots medal", "Fujian Jiangxi Border Struggle medal", "the tenth anniversary of the Red Army medals" and so on.

Anti-Japanese War, Shandong and Henan awarded the Eighth Route Army troops the "eight war medals," Yan'an and the Eighth Route Army troops Liaodong military award in "War Victory Medal" and so on. Liberation war, many military and Field Army commemorated the victory in the battle combat zone and were awarded medals. In 1948 the Fourth Field Army cum Northeast Military Region was awarded the "liberation of Northeast medal", 1949 Huadong Military Region was awarded the "victory of the Huaihai Campaign Medal", "crossing Victory Medal."

After the founding of new China, army medals moved towards reunification. To commemorate a major campaign events, badge and medals were awarded to the People's Liberation Army troops, unified by the Central Military Commission of the People's Liberation Army General Political Department approval for production. The military, army, branch production awarded medals, must be reported to the General Political Department review and approval. In November 1949 Southwest Military was awarded the "liberation Southwest victory medal", 1950 Central Military Commission issued the "liberation of Huazhong Nan medal" North Military Commission issued the "North China Liberation Medal," Northwest Military Commission issued the "liberation medal Northwest "South Military and Fourth Field Army awarded the" liberation of Hainan Island medal. " In September, to commemorate the Central People's Government held a national meeting of representatives war hero, awarded the "People's Liberation Army combat heroes congress medals." August 1952, Southwest Military awarded the "liberation of Tibet medals."

In 1952, the Central People's Government of the People's Revolutionary Military Commission issued the "People's Liberation Army and reward meritorious work regulations (draft)", provides the army unified system "Hero medal", "model medals." February 1954, the National People's Liberation Army delegation of sympathy, condolences to all officers and soldiers were awarded medals.

For the first time in 1955, the eight-one Medal, Medal of Freedom and independence, and liberation medal medals were awarded for srvice in the Red Army during the War period and the liberation war to meritorious officers. These were medal each of I, II and III, grades. Medals of honor were awarded by the National People's Congress Standing Committee granted by the President of the PRC, with the medals approved by the State Council, and granted by the Defence Minister.

Although such national awards as Orders and Medals of August 1st, Independence and Freedom, Liberation, and other decorations still exist in China, apparently none were awarded between 1965 and 1978. In 1979, in recognition of the merits of self-defense combat troops, the General Political Department issued a "self-defense defend the frontier" medals. In 1986, the Chengdu Military Region, Kunming, Yunnan border to the military issued a "Laoshan, who Yinshan self-defense war victory medal." In 1986, the Nanjing Military training in the new era of mass movement was awarded the "Little Tiger badge," is the only military medal is inlaid with diamond.

In 1988 the People's Liberation Army reintroduce the rank system, and issued the People's Liberation Army Merit Medal. Merit Medal is awarded by the CMC to enlisted troops who served in the Revolutionary War, or participated in the revolutionary army. Other awards include the cadres honor badge, Star Merit Medal, the independent Merit Medal, Victory Merit Medal, each of which is divided into three medals. In July 1989, the Central Military Commission in recognition of the implementation of martial law in parts of the capital, the task force issued a "capital" Guardian medal.

Under current regulations, the PLA into heroic models medal medals and meritorious service medal categories are produced by the General Political Department of unity. The Model Hero Medal, in two two kinds; and the meritorious service medal of one, two, third class medals. Medal are worn on the left uniform shirt, usually worn only every major holiday gatherings.

The following badges are believed to have been in use: Good-in-Five, Reenlistment Badge, Peace Medal. and Model Soldier Badge. In addition to the Military Heroes Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal awarded by the PLA, the PLA Navy, PLA Air Force, Second Artillery and other units also have issued a number of medals and badges, but these are very poorly attested.

Model Hero

The Chinese People's Liberation Army awards a badge to personages who are model heroes. The Hero's Medal, along with the Meritorious Service Medal, was first created in April 1951 by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army political director Du Ping in an effort to promote the unity of the Chinese armed forces during the Korean War. The medal was conceived so that the common soldiers would follow the examples set by few selected role models. When the medal was first created, it was composed of three categories — second, first and special class. The special class was later eliminated when the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) medal system formalized in 1988. Middle pattern of the first class medal is the army emblem of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, there are 10 petals all around. The middle pattern of second medal is the rostrum of Tian An Men and China Army flag of PLA. The ribbon of the medal is yellow silk fabric weave, one red stripe for the first class, and two for the second. The Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee awards title to the model hero People, issue the first class model hero's medal. The individual awarding title to the model hero by the major military command, services and arms, issue second class model's medal.

Self-Defense Counterattack / Border Defense

Issued after the Sino-Vietnamese border conflict in 1979. Soon after the Sino-Vietnamese conflict in 1979, the national and some provincial governments issued medals in connection with this campaign. Although some medals and badges have been identified, very little information is available.

Order of Merit / Meritorious Service Medal (1st. 2d, and 3d classes)

This medal is awarded in four classes and bestowed on individuals or units for exceptional combat service, devotion to duty. and bravery. The four classes are:

• Special Merit, the highest award granted for meritorious combat service or for bravery emailing death or the loss of a limb or major organ;
• 1st Class, awarded for meritorious service resulting in a serious loss LO the enemy;
• 2d Class, awarded for meritorious service in which bravery beyond the call of duty was displayed; and
• 3d Class, awarded for meritorious service ranging from the conscientious performance of routine duties to the performance of unusual tasks under exceptional circumstances.

Length of Military Service

Length of military service ribbons are awarded for 10 years, 5 years, 4 years, 3 years, 2 years and 1 year, with different bars, and color. Simply put, there are a few bars representing years on length of military service. There is also a silver-gray ribbon to fill a vacancy, as ribbons are worn three in a row. For company, platoon-level officers wear 1 row, battalion commanders 2 rows, and so on, up to Vice Chairman and member of the Central Military Commission 7 rows. Western practice limits wearing only a single ribbon for any given award, regardless of the number of times the decoration has been awarded [multiple awards may be indicated by oak leaves or other small attachments on the ribbon]. In constrast, it seems that Chinese officers may wear as many ribbons for a given award as are required to fill out the requisite number of rows of ribbons. In recent years, as the PLA participated in peacekeeping missions abroad, foreign exchange activities, such as joint military exercises, and fleet visits, foreign troops were confused by Chinese practices with ribbons.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel welcomes Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Chang Wanquan as he arrived for meetings at the Pentagon, Aug. 19, 2013. The two defense leaders met to discuss issues of mutual importance. The general's ribbons were in seven rows, a number reserved for the highest ranking officers. He wore a total of 21 [3x7] ribbons, although two were obscured by his jacket lapel. His ribbons included five one year service ribbons [the green ribbon with the central red stripe], two year service ribbons [the blue ribbon with two white stripe], at least three three year service ribbons [the beige ribbon with three red stripes], and four four-year service ribbons [the grey ribbon with four yellow stripes]. These length of service ribbons were arranged in a reapeating 1,2,3,4 pattern. The identity of the yellow ribbon with the star in the top row is not widely attested in the open literature, but officers typically wear a red or yellow ribbon in that location with one or more stars.

Independence and Freedom Medal

Authorize the Chinese People's Liberation Army resist against Japan the wartime some meritorious a kind of badge of personnel. According to the whole the first in 1955 Resolution and regulations that the seventh session of standing committee of people's congress of country passes, Award and resisting against Japan in wartime and participating in No. eight Army, the New Fourth Army or break away from production join that Communist Party of China lead to resist against Japan.

Liberation Medals

Authorize the Chinese People's Liberation Army to liberate a kind of badge of some meritorious personnel's in wartime . According to Mao Zedong in 1955 Resolution and regulations that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress that the decree of chairman is issued passes issue. Liberation medal authorize and liberate and join in wartime the Chinese People's Liberation Army, or although for less than two years to fight injured connecting following personnel with disabled.

Military Exploit Medal

The Chinese People's Liberation Army awards and wins a kind of badge rewarded personnel. Divided into one, two, third-class. In first-class military exploit medal Among pattern for the Chinese People's Liberation Army army emblem ,water caltrop not big of five pieces all around; The middle pattern of the second-class military exploit medal is the rostrum of Tian An Men And the rocket; The middle pattern of the third-class military exploit medal is the army emblem of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and ear of wheat. Render meritorious service to lead by the white silk slowly medal Line weave but succeed, both sides getting blue, show first - 2, third-class respectively with l one 3 red thick stick of the middle. All set up one, two, three Wait for the individual of the military exploit, issue one, two, third-class medal separately. Persons who get medals correctly, issue the medal certificate at the same time , and register relevant situations, Store in the file. Set up in 1979.

Honorary Medal of Meritorious Service

On July 1, 1988 the Second Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Seventh National People's Congress has decided to approve the Central Military Commission's Regulations for Conferring on Retired Officers Honorary Medals of Meritorious Service in the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The CPLA's honourary medals of meritorious service shall consist of three types: the CPLA Red Star Honorary Medal of Meritorious Service (classified into two grades), the CPLA Independence Honorary Medal of Meritorious Service, and the CPLA Victory Honorary Medal of Meritorious Service.

Space Hero

China's first astronaut Yang Liwei was conferred the title of "Space Hero" on Friday at a high-profile rally celebrating the country's first manned space flight. Yang, 38, was also awarded a badge of honor for his space faring merits at the rally organized by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the State Council and the Central Military Commission. At the rally attended by top leaders of the country and several thousand others, including space experts, government officials and servicemen, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced the decision by the Party, the central government and the military commission to honor Yang Liwei.

Jiang Zemin, chairman of the military commission, presented the certificate of "Space Hero" and the badge to Yang Liwei. Addressing the rally, President Hu Jintao praised Yang and others who contributed to the country's manned space program. China will work with the international community for peaceful use of outer space, said the president, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

China launched its Shenzhou-5 manned spacecraft, with astronaut Yang Liwei aboard, on Oct. 15 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province, northwest China. Yang and his spacecraft orbited the Earth 14 times before safely landing in north China the next day. The successful launch and return of the spacecraft made China the third country in space after Russia and the United States, and marked the initial success of the manned space program launched in 1992.