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Al's Ribbons |
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Info and pictures courtesy of Debbie S. Greater details on the various medals worn on "Quantum Leap" are listed on the bottom section of the page. |
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TOP ROW:
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Navy Cross Instituted: 1919 for Navy, Marines, Coast Guard. Criteria: Extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy of the US while serving with friendly foreign forces. |
Distinguished
Flying Cross Instituted: 1926 for all branches of service. |
Air Medal Instituted: 1942 for all branches of service.
Criteria: Heroic actions or meritorious service while participating in aerial flight. |
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| 2nd ROW:
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Joint Service Commendation Medal
Instituted: 1963 for all branches of service by the Secretary of Defense. |
Navy Commendation
Medal |
Navy Achievement
Medal
Instituted: 1961 for Navy and Marine Corps. |
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| 3rd
ROW:
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Combat Action Ribbon Combat Action Ribbon |
Navy Presidential Unit Citation Instituted: 1942 to Navy and Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Criteria: Awarded to units for extraordinary heroism is action against an armed enemy. |
Navy Unit Commendation Instituted: 1944 for Navy and Marine Corps. Criteria: Awarded to units Navy/Marine Corps for outstanding heroism in action or extremely meritorious service. |
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4th ROW:
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Navy Expeditionary Medal (2) Instituted: 1936 for the Navy. Criteria: Landings on foreign territory and operations against armed opposition for which no specific campaign medal has been authorized. |
National Defense Service (3) Instituted: |
Korean Service
Campaign (4)
Instituted: 1950 for all branches of service. |
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POW Medal (1) |
Vietnam Service
Medal Instituted: 1965 for all branches of service |
Navy Sea |
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| 6th ROW:
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Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Instituted: 1966 for all branches of service. |
United Nations Service Medal for Korea Instituted: 1951 for all branches of service. |
Republic of Vietnam Service Medal
Instituted: 1966 for all branches of service. |
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Al wears the Naval Astronaut wings (as) an admiral. (But) I'd like to know why he has no NASA medals, which he could wear on his naval uniform. They would go between the Navy Achievement Medal and the POW Medal. The following possibilities are: |
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NASA Distinguished Service Medal NASA Flight Medal NASA Medal for Exceptional Bravery NASA Medal for Exceptional Service
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| Back to "Al's Bio"
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| A Listing of Other Military Medals as Shown on Quantum Leap: |
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| This is a best-guess synopsis of all the medals worn on PQL. The letters ‘DPB' used throughout this article stands for Donald P. Bellasario. The information I've gathered is through watching the tapes of the shows, looking at the books and pictures I have on the show, and two very invaluable and necessary books: US Military Medals 1939 to 1994 and the Naval Uniform Regulations ‘handbook' which makes a great boat anchor at probably 800 pages. (The government doesn't number pages like a regular book. It numbers them within chapters only.) All medals will read from left to right, starting at the upper left, with no more than three ribbons in a row. I've given the dates the award was instituted, the dates the award was given for if any, the criteria for receiving the award, the devices or attachments on the award, and any notes that may explain what DPB was or wasn't doing correctly with the award. If anyone else has any better information on these awards, or better pictures of them from the show, feel free to contact me at dast@birch.net. Episode #2: Star Crossed: June 15, 1972 Person: Colonel Wojohowitz, First Infantry, Inspector General, US Army There are some difficult shots on the tape to decipher. I could be wrong on a few things, especially in spotting the correct attachments and devices on the ribbons. If these are the ribbons, then they are in the right order for their branch of service. Distinguished Service Cross Instituted: 1918 for the Army Criteria: Extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy of the US or while serving with friendly foreign forces Defense Distinguished Service Medal Instituted: 1970 for all branches of service Criteria: Exceptionally meritorious service to the US while assigned to a Joint Activity in a position of unique and great responsibility. Purple Heart Instituted: 1932 for all branches of service, but originally only for the Army Criteria: Awarded to any member of the US Armed Forces killed or wounded in armed combat. Note: Apparently DPB realized their position mistake for Al's medals after the opening credit sequence, but for some reason didn't change Al's medals accordingly by episode #9. Either that, or the episodes were shot out of sequence and nothing was changed until episode #32. Army Commendation Medal Instituted: 1945, and retroactive to 1941 for the Army Criteria: Heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. National Defense Service Medal with a bronze star Instituted: 1953 for all branches of service for Korea. Reinstated in 1966 and 1991 for Vietnam and for the Gulf War, respectively. Dates: 1950 - 1954 (Korea), 1961- 1974 (Vietnam), 1990 (Gulf War) to present Criteria: Any honorable active duty service during any of the above periods. Devices: A bronze star means an additional award. Note: Given to Col. Wojohowitz for Korea and again for Vietnam. Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars Instituted: 1965 for all branches of service Dates: 1965 - 1973 Criteria: Service in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia or Thailand during the above periods. Devices: The stars represent three major battles. United Nations Service Medal (Korea) Instituted: 1951 for all branches of service Criteria: Service on behalf of the UN in Korea between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Instituted: 1966 for all branches of service Criteria: Six months' service in the Republic of Vietnam between 1965 and 1973, or if wounded, captured or killed in action during the above period on right breast: Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation Instituted: 1966 for all branches of service Criteria: Awarded to certain units of the US Armed Forces for meritorious service during the Vietnam War, 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974. Devices: Bronze palm, no significance, worn upon initial issue Episode #8: Play It Again, Seymour: April 14, 1953 Person: Two Star Rear Admiral Albert Calavicci, USN This is Al's five medals on a dinner jacket. I won't explain them here as they are explained elsewhere. The way I understand it, he's wearing the first five highest in rank, so these would be — Navy Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal with one bronze star Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy Commendation Medal Episode #9: Honeymoon Express: April 27, 1960 and opening credits Person #1: Two Star Rear Admiral Albert Calavicci, USN. Naval Astronaut wings Navy Cross Instituted: 1919 for Navy, Marines, Coast Guard Criteria: Extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy of the US while serving with friendly foreign forces. Distinguished Flying Cross Instituted: 1926 for all branches of service Criteria: Heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight Air Medal with one silver star Instituted: 1942 for all branches of service Criteria: Heroic actions or meritorious service while participating in aerial flight. Devices: one silver star means five additional awards Joint Service Commendation Medal Instituted: 1963 for all branches of service by the Secretary of Defense Criteria: Meritorious service or achievement while assigned to a Joint Activity Navy Commendation Medal Instituted: 1944, retroactive to 1941 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Heroic or meritorious achievement or service Navy Achievement Medal Instituted: 1961 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Meritorious service of achievement in a combat or non-combat situation based on sustained performance of a superlative nature. Combat Action Ribbon Instituted: 1969 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Active participation in ground or air combat during specifically listed military operations. Army Presidential Unit Citation Notes: Yes, this is wrong. It should be the Naval Presidential Unit Citation and it is corrected in the second set. Navy Unit Commendation Instituted: 1944 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Awarded to units Navy/Marine Corps for outstanding heroism in action or extremely meritorious service. Navy Expeditionary Medal Instituted: 1936 for the Navy Dates: 1936 to present Criteria: Landings on foreign territory and operations against armed opposition for which no specific campaign medal has been authorized. National Defense Service Medal Instituted: 1953 for all branches of service for Korea. Reinstated in 1966 and 1991 for Vietnam and for the Gulf War, respectively. Dates: 1950 - 1954 (Korea), 1961- 1974 (Vietnam), 1990 (Gulf War) to present Criteria: Any honorable active duty service during any of the above periods. Notes: Given for Korea and again for Vietnam. Once again, Al may have two of these as well and DPB doesn't realize it, which would add a bronze star. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Instituted: 1961 for all branches of service Dates: 1958 to present Criteria: Participation in military operations not covered by a specific war medal. Authorized for service in Vietnam until establishment of Vietnam Service Medal. Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars Instituted: 1965 for all branches of service Dates: 1965 - 1973 Criteria: Service in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia or Thailand during the above periods. Devices: The stars represent three major battles. Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Instituted: 1981 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Twelve months' active duty on deployed vessels operating away from their home port for extended periods. . Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Instituted: 1966 for all branches of service Criteria: Awarded to all units of the US Armed Forces for valorous combat achievement during the Vietnam War, 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974. United Nations Service Medal Instituted: 1951 for all branches of service Criteria: Service on behalf of the UN in Korea between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Instituted: 1966 for all branches of service Criteria: Six months' service in the Republic of Vietnam between 1965 and 1973, or if wounded, captured or killed in action during the above period Purple Heart Instituted: 1932 for all branches of service, but originally only for the Army Criteria: Awarded to any member of the US Armed Forces killed or wounded in armed combat. Note: Apparently DPB realized their position mistake for Al's medals after the opening credit sequence, but for some reason didn't change Al's medals accordingly by episode #9. Either that, or the episodes were shot out of sequence and nothing was changed until episode #32. It was once last in line. It would now go after Al's Distinguished Flying Cross. This order was changed years ago. Person #2: The Admiral's Aide, Lt., USN From what I can see, she is a brunette Lt. She has two gold stripes of the same width and a gold star on her sleeve. For some reason, the men's white uniforms have no sleeve insignia. She is in Service Dress White and has six ribbons. It's really tough to decipher these medals. They come out yellow, white, and black on my tape. Yeecch! Episode #11: The Americanization of Machiko MacKenzie: August 4, 1953 Person: Sam as Petty Officer Second Class Charles MacKenzie, Aviation Machinists' Mate, USN It is interesting to note that Sam doesn't have any combat oriented medals. Just the ones we'd expect of our humanitarian quantum physicist, even when he leaps into someone else: Good conduct and keeping the peace. Navy Good Conduct Medal Instituted: 1888 for the Navy Criteria: Outstanding performance and conduct during four years of continuous active enlisted service in the US Navy National Defense Service Medal Instituted: 1953 for all branches of service for Korea. Reinstituted in 1966 and 1991 for Vietnam and for the Gulf War, respectively. Dates: 1950 - 1954 (Korea), 1961- 1974 (Vietnam), 1990 (Gulf War) to present Criteria: Any honorable active duty service during any of the above periods. Note: Given to Sam/Charles for Korea. Korean Service Medal Instituted: 1950 for all branches of service Dates: 1950 - 1954 Criteria: Participation in military operations within the Korean area during the above period. Episode #31: The Leap Home, Part 1: November 25, 1969 Person: Lt. Thomas Beckett, USN Seal USN Seal Emblem Navy Unit Commendation Instituted: 1944 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Awarded to units Navy/Marine Corps for outstanding heroism in action or extremely meritorious service. National Defense Service Medal Instituted: 1953 for all branches of service for Korea. Reinstituted in 1966 and 1991 for Vietnam and for the Gulf War, respectively. Dates: 1950 - 1954 (Korea), 1961- 1974 (Vietnam), 1990 (Gulf War) to present Criteria: Any honorable active duty service during any of the above periods. Episodes #32: The Leap Home, Part 2: April 7, 1970 and #93: Mirror Image: August 8, 1953 Person: Two Star Rear Admiral Albert Calavicci, USN The Leap Home, Vietnam shows the medals clearly. When Al turns to into the light, you can see the one silver star on the Distinguished Flying Cross and the two silver stars on the Air Medal. The numbers in parenthesis mean the order that the US Navy actually has these medals. I've listed them as it is shown on the show. Naval Astronaut Wings Navy Cross Instituted: 1919 for Navy, Marines, Coast Guard Criteria: Extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy of the US while serving with friendly foreign forces. Distinguished Flying Cross with one silver star Instituted: 1926 for all branches of service Criteria: Heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight Devices: the one silver star means five additional awards. Air Medal with two silver stars Instituted: 1942 for all branches of service Criteria: Heroic actions or meritorious service while participating in aerial flight. Devices: two silver stars means ten additional awards (five each). Note: DPB finally figured out that it's not unusual for pilots in Vietnam to have a high count of Air Medal awards. Joint Service Commendation Medal Instituted: 1963 for all branches of service by the Secretary of Defense Criteria: Meritorious service or achievement while assigned to a Joint Activity Navy Commendation Medal Instituted: 1944, retroactive to 1941 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Heroic or meritorious achievement or service Navy Achievement Medal Instituted: 1961 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Meritorious service of achievement in a combat or non-combat situation based on sustained performance of a superlative nature. Combat Action Ribbon Instituted: 1969 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Active participation in ground or air combat during specifically listed military operations. Navy Presidential Unit Citation Instituted: 1942 to Navy and Marine Corps and Coast Guard Criteria: Awarded to units for extraordinary heroism is action against an armed enemy Navy Unit Commendation Instituted: 1944 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Awarded to units Navy/Marine Corps for outstanding heroism in action or extremely meritorious service. Navy Expeditionary Medal (2) Instituted: 1936 for the Navy Dates: 1936 to present Criteria: Landings on foreign territory and operations against armed opposition for which no specific campaign medal has been authorized National Defense Service Medal (3) Instituted: 1953 for all branches of service for Korea. Reinstituted in 1966 and 1991 for Vietnam and for the Gulf War, respectively. Dates: 1950 - 1954 (Korea), 1961- 1974 (Vietnam), 1990 (Gulf War) to present Criteria: Any honorable active duty service during any of the above periods. Note: Given for Korea and again for Vietnam. Once again, Al may have two of these as well and DPB doesn't realize it, which would add a bronze star. Korean Service Medal (4) Instituted: 1950 for all branches of service Dates: 1950 - 1954 Criteria: Participation in military operations within the Korean area during the above period. Prisoner of War Medal (1) Instituted: 1989, but retroactive to WWI for all branches of service Criteria: Awarded to any member of the US Armed Forces taken prisoner during any armed conflict dating from WWI Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars Instituted: 1965 for all branches of service Dates: 1965 - 1973 Criteria: Service in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia or Thailand during the above periods. Devices: The stars represent three major battles. Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Instituted: 1981 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Twelve months' active duty on deployed vessels operating away from their home port for extended periods. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Instituted: 1966 for all branches of service Criteria: Awarded to all units of the US Armed Forces for valorous combat achievement during the Vietnam War, 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974. United Nations Service Medal Instituted: 1951 for all branches of service Criteria: Service on behalf of the UN in Korea between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Instituted: 1966 for all branches of service Criteria: Six months' service in the Republic of Vietnam between 1965 and 1973, or if wounded, captured or killed in action during the above period Episode #53: The Leap Back: June 15, 1945 Person #1: Al (and briefly, Sam) as Captain Tom Jarrett, US Army Jarrett would have been awarded the POW Medal in 1989, when it became available, and the WWII Victory Medal after the war in 1945. Once again, I have the tape and one small still in the Chunovic book to go by. Al gets his two "missing" awards back: the Purple Heart and the Army Presidential Unit Commendation. The shoulder patch is the Keystone or the 28th Division The US insignia on the collar means the Armored Division The tank insignia on lapels means the Tank Division (in the actual show) The artillery insignia on the lapels means Artillery Division (in the promos) Army Medal of Honor Instituted: 1862 and redesigned in 1904 for the Army Criteria (same for all branches): For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty, in action involving actual conflict with an opposing armed force. Silver Star Instituted: 1932 for all branches of service, but originally for Army Criteria: Gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the US or while serving with friendly foreign forces. Legion of Merit Instituted: 1942 for all branches of service Criteria: Exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the US Bronze Star Medal with a silver oak leaf cluster Instituted: 1944 for all branches of service Criteria: Heroic or meritorious achievement or service not involving participation in aerial flight Devices: a silver oak leaf cluster means five additional awards. Purple Heart, with a silver oak leaf cluster Instituted: 1932 for all branches of service, but originally only for the Army Criteria: Awarded to any member of the US Armed Forces killed or wounded in armed combat. Device: a silver oak leaf cluster means five additional awards. Army Commendation Medal with a bronze V for valor Instituted: 1945 for the Army, retroactive to 1941 Criteria: Heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. Device: a bronze letter V for valor, combat distinguishing service American Defense Service Medal Instituted: 1941 for all branches of service Dates: 1939 - 1941 Criteria: One year active duty service during the above period. American Campaign Medal Instituted: 1942 for all branches of service Dates: 1941 - 1946 Criteria: Service outside the US in the American theater for 30 days, or within the continental US for one year. European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with a bronze star Instituted: 1942 for all branches of service Dates: 1941 - 1945 Criteria: Service in the European-African-Middle Eastern theater for 30 days or receipt of any combat decoration. Device: the bronze star stands for one major battle On right breast: Army Presidential Unit Citation Instituted: 1942 for the Army Criteria: Awarded to the US Army units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy Person #2: The Replacement Admiral (also seen in the opening credits) Now there's a spooky thought! She's in Full Dress White, which can only be worn when assuming command. Whether or not she is a one or two star Admiral is difficult to say, but her large medals instead of ribbons means she's wearing the Full Dress instead of the Service Dress. How many medals she's wearing, I'm not sure, but you can have only up to five medals in a row. The only other time she's seen is in the opening credits, where she's standing at Ziggy's console. And where was the Admiral when Sam was leaping for the very first time? He wasn't immediately available, but involved in his favorite pastime. Episode #64: Running for Honor: June 11, 1964 Person: Sam as Cadet Commander Thomas H. York, US Naval Academy The tape I have is unclear, so I could be wrong, but the medals can't reflect campaigns or combat, and can't have been issued after 1964, at least not in our universe! Joint Service Commendation Medal Instituted: 1963 for all branches of service by the Secretary of Defense Criteria: Meritorious service or achievement while assigned to a Joint Activity Navy Achievement Medal Instituted: 1961 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Meritorious service of achievement in a combat or non-combat situation based on sustained performance of a superlative nature. Navy Unit Commendation Instituted: 1944 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Awarded to units Navy/Marine Corps for outstanding heroism in action or extremely meritorious service. Episode #74: A Leap for Lisa: June 25, 1957 Person: Ensign Albert Calavicci, USN Naval Aviator Wings Combat Action Ribbon Instituted: 1969 for Navy and Marine Corps Criteria: Active participation in ground or air combat during specifically listed military operations. Note: Not issued until 1969, at least in our universe! Episode #77: Nowhere to Run: August 10, 1968 Person: Sam as a Marine amputee I have seen the show but I don't have the tape, so no information is available. Episode #91: A Leap Between the States: September 20, 1862 Person: Sam as Captain John Beckett, Union Army The Purple Heart wasn't issued until 1932, but Sam/John deserved one. Army Civil War Medal Issued in 1864 |
