After the War Between the States, there was no official recognition of the service of Confederate Veterans, as the U.S. War Department did not, until much later, recognize these men as Veterans. 

Furthermore, metal was scarce, so none were awarded by the Confederate Government during the War. Around the turn of the 20th century, the United Daughters of the Confederacy® (UDC)  created a medal appropriate for the defenders in grey; one which would show their appreciation to their Confederate ancestors and also, honor their heritage. The medal would be called the “Southern Cross of Honor”. Thousands of these medals were awarded. Winnie Davis, a daughter of Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, an original “Daughter of the Confederacy”, traveled around the South bestowing this medal on aging Confederate Veterans. 

 

The "Southern Cross of Honor" was made in the shape of a Maltese Cross with a wreath of laurel surrounding the      words “Deo Vindice 1861-1865” (God our Vindicator) and the inscription “Southern Cross of Honor” was on the face. On the reverse was a Confederate Battle Flag surrounded by a laurel wreath and the words “United Daughters of the Confederacy to the UCV.”  (United Confederate Veterans)

Reverse side of Cross

showing front of bar

Only a Confederate veteran could wear the Southern Cross of Honor, and it could only be bestowed through the UDC.  Money could not buy the Cross. They were bought by loyal, honorable service to the South and were given in recognition of this devotion. The UDC kept a record of each man who received this precious award. These records are on file in the UDC Business Office in Richmond, Virginia.  

As time passed, and Southerners were involved in more military conflicts, the UDC developed Military Service awards, Crosses and Medals. Only a direct or collateral descendant of a Confederate who served honorably, and who was a veteran who has or is serving honorably in defense of America (both during peace and war) are eligible for these awards. Approved by the Pentagon, the Cross and Medal  (for service during wartime) may be worn on service uniforms.  These bestowals began with the Spanish-American War and continue through today. Medals for wars or conflicts prior to WWI are not longer given. These medals are the most prized awards conferred by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. 

                                                      Cross Of Military Service

The UDC continues to present medals and certificates to men and women, who are both lineal and collateral descendants of Confederate veterans.  Lineal Crosses are four in number and are the outgrowth of the Cross of Honor. They are: the World War I Cross of Military Service, Second, the World War II Cross of Military Service, Third, the Korean War Service Cross, and Fourth, the Vietnam Conflict Service Cross. They are presented to men and women, both living and deceased, who served a minimum of 90 days active-duty service.  Each is awarded with a numbered certificate.

World War I,  5 Apr 1917 - 11 Nov 1918 (stateside or foreign service)

World War II, 8 Dec 1941 - 31 Dec 1946 (stateside or foreign service)

Korean War, 27 Jun 1950 - 1 Nov 1955, in Korea, or on land/in airspace/in waters contiguous thereto

Vietnam Conflict, 6 Jul 1964 - 28 Mar 1973 (same requirements as the Korean War)

World War I Cross of Military Service

World War II Cross of Military Service

Korean War

Service Cross

Vietnam Conflict Service Cross

A recipient of any of the UDC Crosses of Military Service must have served in (and received an honorable discharge from) or currently be serving in one of the following:

 

US Air Force    US Coast Guard   US Merchant Marine   US Army    US Marine Corps     US Navy      National Guard

Recognized when called to active duty

A National Defense Service Medal was approved in 1991 at the Annual General UDC Convention. This medal, issued with a certificate, is awarded to men and women for a minimum of 90 days active duty service that does not meet the Cross of Military Service requirements during the Korean War or Vietnam Conflict, and is also awarded for Persian Gulf (Desert Shield/Desert Storm) service. If a recipient is eligible for a Korean or Vietnam Cross of Military Service, the Military Service Cross should be awarded as the National Defense Medal may not be bestowed for the same war/conflict. A recipient may receive only one National Defense medal even if eligible during more than one time frame. The medal may be presented posthumously and is awarded with a numbered certificate.

Timeframes and locations for eligibility

Korean War, 27 Jun 1950 - 11 Nov 1955, not in Korea or on land/in airspace/in waters contiguous thereto

Vietnam Conflict, 1 Jan 1961 - 14 Aug 1974, not in Vietnam or land/in airspace/in waters contiguous thereto (note, time frame is longer than for that of the Vietnam Cross of Military Service)

Persian Gulf (Desert Shield/Desert Storm), 2 Aug 1990 - 30 Nov 1995

National Defense Service Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Armed Forced Expeditionary Service Medal

An Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal was approved at the 1995 Annual General Convention of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The medal, issued with a numbered certificate, is awarded for a minimum of 90 days active-duty services in the U.S. Armed Forces to those men and women who meet the requirements of the U.S. Presidential Executive Order 10977 dated Dec. 4, 1961, and its amendments. The medal is authorized for service after 1 Jul 1958, in US military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, and U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations.The medal may be awarded posthumously.

Eligibility (having met one of the following)

1. Must have served not less than 30 consecutive days in the area of operation.

2. Must have been in direct support of an operation a minimum of 30 consecutive days.

3. Must have been engaged in actual combat, or on duty that is equally as hazardous as combat, during the operation with armed opposition.

4. Must have participated as a regularly assigned crew member of an aircraft flying to/out of/within/over the seas in the area of operation and in support of it.

Only one Amred Forces Expeditionary Service Medal may be received, regardless of the number of operations in which he/she served.

Time frames and locations include (tbd indicates operation is ongoing)

* Berlin                                14 Aug 1961 - 1 Jun 1963

*Cambodia                           29 Mar 1973 - 15 Aug 1973

*Congo                                 14 Jul 1960 - 1 Sep 1962

*Cuba                                   24 Oct 1962 - 1 Jun 1963

*Dominican Republic          28 Apr 1965 - 21 Sep 1966

*El Salvador  1 Jan 1981 - 1 Feb 1992

*Global War on Terror

  (Afghanistan, Iraq, and

  all areas of support)   11 Sep 2001 - tbd

*Grenada                             23 Oct 1983 - 21 Nov 1983

*Haiti                                   16 Sep 1994 - 31 Mar 1995

*Korea                                 1 Oct 1966 - 30 Jun 1974

*Laos                                   19 Apr 1961 - 7 Oct 1962

*Lebanon                             1 Jul 1958 - 1 Nov 1958

*Lebanon                             1 Jun 1983 - 1 Dec 1987

*Panama                              20 Dec 1989 - 31 Jan 1990

*Persian Gulf                       24 Jul 1987 - 1 Aug 1990

*Quemoy and

  Matsu Islands                    23 Aug 1958 - 1 Jun 1963

*Somalia                               5 Dec 1992 - 31 Mar 1995

*Southwest Asia                 

  Southern Watch                 1 Dec 1995 - tbd

  Maritime Intercept            1 Dec 1995 - tbd

  Vigilant Sentinel                 1 Dec 1995 - 15 Feb 1997

  Northern Watch          1 Jan 1997 - tbd

  Desert Thunder                  11 Nov 1998 - 22 Dec 1998

  Desert Spring                     31 Dec 1998 - tbd

*Taiwan Straits                    23 Aug 1958 - 1 Jan 1959

*Thailand

  (Cambodia ops only)          29 Mar 1973 - 15 Aug 1973

*Vietnam                              1 Jul 1958 - 3 Jul 1963

*Yugoslavia,

  FormerRepublic of

  (Bosnia-Herzegovina

  and Croatia only)               1 Jun 1992 - 20 Jun 1998

*Yugoslavia, Former

  Republic of                        21 Jun 1998 - tbd

A Meritorious Service Award medal and certificate may be  presented to men and women of collateral lineage to a Confederate soldier who served honorably and nobly during the War Between the States. This award is presented through the Meritorious Service Awards Committee. Please check with the United Daughters of the Confederacy Chapter nearest you for more information on this medal and certificate.

Armed Forces

Expeditionary

Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

If you are a serviceman or woman, or have a relative (living or deceased), who may qualify for one of these awards, please contact a UDC chapter near you. We will respond. Your genealogy, honorable discharge (DD 214 or similar) and a copy of your Confederate ancestor's military service records are the documents required for consideration for bestowal. Your lineage to the Confederate soldier must be listed on the application form. Both he, and you,  must have served your country honorably.

We thank you for your service to our Country!

For more information on a chapter within the Texas Division visit  www.txudc.org

If you are located in or near Waco, Texas,  please visit us at: www.marywestchapter26.homestead.com or click on one of the links on this page

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Contact:

Shirley Woodlock, Recorder of Military Service Awards, The Texas Division, UDC

The song you hear in the background is "Million in the Field" by Stephen Foster.

Official flag, U. S. Merchant Marine