The first recognized medals of the US Army appeared during the American Civil War and were generally issued by local commanders on an unofficial basis. The Medal of Honor was the first award to be established in regulations as a permanent Army decoration, complete with benefits. The Medal of Honor is the only Civil War era award which has survived as a decoration into the modern age.

Furthermore, the US Army mandates that all unit awards will be worn separate from individual awards on the opposite side of a military uniform. The Army is the only service to require this separation between unit and individual decorations. All Army unit awards are worn enclosed in a gold frame.

The Spanish-American War was the first widespread award of campaign medals, both for service in the actual conflict and for participation in subsequent garrison and occupation duty. After the Spanish-American War, however, medals in the US Army fell into disuse and, apart from a few peacetime Medal of Honor decorations, there were no further Army medals created until the First World War. World War I saw the first widespread distribution of medals for combat, as the Medal of Honor returned awarded for bravery in battle against an enemy force. The Distinguished Service Cross was also created for those soldiers who had performed feats of bravery but not to the level required of the Medal of Honor. The only other medal of World War I was the World War I Victory Medal, accompanied by a confusing array of battle clasps to denote combat participation.

In the 1920s and 30s, the US Army issued very few decorations and it was often common for a service member to spend an entire career without receiving a single medal. With the outbreak of World War II, however, the Army began the largest expansion of medals since the Spanish-American War as well as the first wide scale issuance of inter-service awards. In addition, several World War II campaign medals were created for various theaters and a World War II Victory Medal was established at the end of the conflict as well as an occupation medal.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Army expanded both its number of medals and ribbons, as well as having its service members eligible for several new inter-service campaign and service medals (such as the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Service Medal).

In the modern age, members of other military branches serving under an Army command are also eligible to receive Army decorations. All Army service members may receive inter-service awards, international decorations, and authorized foreign medals. The Department of the Army also awards a limited number of civilian awards.

Only time and fate knows the future of peace, wars and the new missions that the subordinate units of the 1st Cavalry Division may be called on to perform. In any situation, they stand ready and can look to its combat record with justifiable pride and hard earned satisfaction. All of the tasks have been tough and they have been done well.

8th Cavalry Regiment Decorations
The following decorations have been earned by the 8th Cavalry Regiment in service for their country. Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered LUZON (as 2nd Squadron, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 31 Jan to 03 Feb 1945; WD GO 38, 1946) Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered TAEGU (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 14 to 19 Sep 1950; WD GO 38, 1952) Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 - 04 JULY 1945 (8th Cavalry, cited; DA GO 47, 1950) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered WAEGWAN-TAEGU (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 15 Aug to 26 Sep 1950; DA GO 35, 1951) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 11 Jul to 01 Oct 1953; DA GO 24, 1954) Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Gold Bravery Medal of Greece), Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period of the war in Korea; DA GO 02, 1956)
1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Decorations
The following decorations have been earned by the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment in service for their country. Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered MANUS ISLAND ("A" Trp, 8th Cavalry, cited for action on 19 Mar 1944; DA GO 57, 1944) Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered PLEIKU PROVINCE (1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 23 Oct to 26 Nov 1965; DA GO 40, 1967) Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered TRUNG LUONG (1st Bn [less "A" Co] 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 21 to 22 Jun 1966; DA GO 73, 1968) Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered BINH THUAN PROVINCE ("B" Co, 1st Bn, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 09 Nov to 12 Dec 1966; DA GO 02, 1973) Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered FISH HOOK (1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 01 May to 29 Jun 1970; DA GO 43, 1972) Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered IRAQ (1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 15 to 25 Feb 1991; DA GO 27, 1994) Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 - 4 JULY 1945 (8th Cavalry, cited; DA GO 47, 1950) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered WAEGWAN-TAEGU (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 15 Aug to 26 Sep 1950; DA GO 35, 1951) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 11 Jul to 01 Oct 1953; DA GO 24, 1954) Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Gold Bravery Medal of Greece), Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period of the war in Korea; DA GO 02, 1956) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965 - 1969 (1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 9 Aug 1965 to 19 May 1969; DA GO 59, 1969) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969 - 1970 (1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period May 1969 to Feb 1970; DA 11, 1973, amended DA GO 42, 1972) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1971 (1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 21 Feb to 28 Feb 1971; DA GO 42, 1972) Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969 - 1970 (1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited; DA GO 42, 1972)
2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Decorations
The following decorations have been earned by the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment in service for their country. Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered PLEIKU PROVINCE (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 23 Oct to 26 Nov 1965; DA GO 40, 1967) Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered TAY NINH PROVINCE (2nd Bn, 8th Cavalry [less "A", "B" & "D" Cos], cited for action on 06 May 1969, DA GO 39, 1970) Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered SONG RE RIVER VALLEY ("A" Co, 2nd Bn, 8th Cavalry, cited for action on 9 Aug 1967; DA GO 43, 1970) Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered BINH DINH PROVINCE ("B" Co, 2nd Bn, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 16 to 17 May 1966; DA GO 17, 1968) Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered FISH HOOK (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 01 May to 29 Jun 1970; DA GO 43, 1972) Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 16 Sep 1990 to 15 Mar 1991; DA GO 27, 1994) Belgian Fourragere 1940 (4th Reconnaissance Troop, cited for the period; DA GO 43, 1950) Cited for Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in BELGIUM (4th Reconnaissance Troop, cited; DA GO 43, 1950) Cited for Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in ARDENNES (4th Reconnaissance Troop, cited; DA GO 43, 1950) Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 - 4 JULY 1945 (8th Cavalry, cited; DA GO 47, 1950) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered WAEGWAN-TAEGU (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 15 Aug to 26 Sep 1950; DA GO 35, 1951) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 11 Jul to 01 Oct 1953; DA GO 24, 1954) Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Gold Bravery Medal of Greece), Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period of the war in Korea; DA GO 2, 1956) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965 - 1969 (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 09 Aug 1965 to 19 May 1969; DA GO 59, 1969) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969 - 1970 (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period May 1969 to Feb 1970; DA 11, 1973, amended DA GO 42, 1972) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1971 (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 21 Feb to 28 Feb 1971; DA GO 42, 1972) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1971 - 1972 (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 17 Sep 1971 to Jun 1972; DA GO 54, 1974) Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969 - 1970 (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 01 Jan 1969 to 01 Feb 1970; DA GO 42, 1972)
3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Decorations
The following decorations have been earned by the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment in service for their country. Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered FALLUJAH ("C" Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry as part of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, cited for the period of 03 to 24 November 2004; DA GO Pending, 2008) Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered IRAQ 1991 (3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 24 Dec 1990 to 18 May 1991; DA GO 14, 1997) Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 - 4 JULY 1945 (8th Cavalry, cited; DA GO 47, 1950) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered WAEGWAN-TAEGU (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 15 Aug to 26 Sep 1950; DA GO 35, 1951) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 11 Jul to 01 Oct 1953; DA GO 24, 1954) Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Gold Bravery Medal of Greece), Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period of the war in Korea; DAGO 02, 1956)
4th Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Decorations
The following decorations have been earned by the 4th Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment in service for their country. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 - 4 JULY 1945 (8th Cavalry, cited; DA GO 47, 1950) Army Superior Award, Streamer embroidered 1987 (4th Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 16 Feb to 19 Jun 1987; DA GO 20, 1991) Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered IRAQ (4th Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 27 Dec 1990 to 18 May 1991; DA GO 14, 1994) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered WAEGWAN-TAEGU (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 15 Aug to 26 Sep 1950; DA GO 35, 1951) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 11 Jul to 01 Oct 1953; DA GO 24, 1954) Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Gold Bravery Medal of Greece), Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period of the war in Korea; DA GO 2, 1956)
5th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment Decorations
The following decorations have been earned by the 5th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment in service for their country. Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered LUZON (as 2nd Squadron, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 31 Jan to 03 Feb 1945; WD GO 38, 1946) Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered TAEGU (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 14 to 19 Sep 1950; WD GO 38, 1952) Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 - 4 JULY 1945 (8th Cavalry, cited; DA GO 47, 1950) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered WAEGWAN-TAEGU (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 15 Aug to 26 Sep 1950; DA GO 35, 1951) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 11 Jul to 01 Oct 1953; DA GO 24, 1954) Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Gold Bravery Medal of Greece), Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period of the war in Korea; DA GO 02, 1956)
6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment Decorations
The following decorations have been earned by the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment in service for their country. Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered LUZON (as 2nd Squadron, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 31 Jan to 03 Feb 1945; WD GO 38, 1946) Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered TAEGU (2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 14 to 19 Sep 1950; WD GO 38, 1952) Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered SKKOGAE (as 3rd Pltn, "F" Trp, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, cited for action on 21 Nov 1951; DA GO 69, 1953) Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered QUANG TIN-QUANG NGAI ("F" Trp, 8th Cavalry, cited for action on 09 Aug 1967, DA GO 39, 1970) Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered QUANG TIN-QUANG NGAI ("F" Trp, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 24 Aug to 25 Sep 1968; DA GO 53, 1970) Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered QUANG TIN PROVINCE ("F" Trp, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 11 to 31 Aug 1969; DA GO 43, 1972) Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 - 4 JULY 1945 (8th Cavalry, cited; DA GO 47, 1950) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered WAEGWAN-TAEGU (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 15 Aug to 26 Sep 1950; DA GO 35, 1951) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period 11 Jul to 01 Oct 1953; DA GO 24, 1954) Chryssoun Aristion Andrias (Gold Bravery Medal of Greece), Streamer embroidered KOREA (8th Cavalry, cited for the period of the war in Korea; DA GO 02, 1956) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969 - 1970 ("F" Trp, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 24 Aug 1969 to 21 Dec and 31 Mar 30 Jun 1970; DA GO 42, 1972) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM APR - JUN 1971 ("F" Trp, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 01 Apr to 30 Jun 1971; DA GO 06, 1974) Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM FEB - MAR 1971 ("F" Trp, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 08 Feb to 31 Mar 1971; DA GO 42, 1972) Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1969 - 1970 ("F" Trp, 8th Cavalry, cited for the period 01 Jan to 01 Feb 1970; DA GO 42, 1972)