DOI = "Died of Injuries . Those who suffered fatal battle INJURIES, as opposed to WOUNDS, in combat or in combat areas, and died in a line-of-duty status."
DNB = "Died, Non-Battle . Other line-of-duty deaths, such as from sickness, homicide, suicide or accidents outside combat areas [including training and manuever deaths]. "
DOW = "Died of Wounds . Persons who were wounded and later died."
FOD = "Finding of Death . Those with this designation were "determined to be dead under Public Law 490." [Finding of death under Public Law 490 and it's amendments are made in the case of persons when--and only when--there is either conclusive proof that the person is dead or equally overwhelming evidence that under the circumstances the person could not have remained alive. These findings are made only after review and after a lapse of at least one year from the time of disappearance.]
KIA = "Killed in Action . An individual who was killed in action, whether at the front or by enemy action in the rear areas, or if a prisoner of war, whether by air bombardment of his prison camp or by being shot while escaping."
MIA= "Missing In Action , also those known to be killed or dead but are unlocated."
POW = "Prisoner Of War. "

Note: For FOD, POW and MIA visit Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency↗

BS = "Bronze Star. Awarded for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone." Bronze Star Details↗.
DFC = "Distinguished Flying Cross. Awarded to any persons who, after April 6, 1917, distinguish themselves by single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight." Distinguished Flying Cross Details↗.
DSC = "Distinguished Service Cross. The United States Army's second highest military decoration for soldiers who display extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force." Distinguished Service Cross Details↗.
MOH = "Medal of Honor. The United States Armed Forces highest and most prestigious military decoration that may be awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor." Medal of Honor Details↗.
NC = "Navy Cross. The United States Navy and United States Marine Corps' second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force." Navy Cross Details↗.
OLC = "Oak Leaf Cluster. The bronze oak leaf cluster represents one additional award, while the silver oak leaf cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze oak leaf clusters." Oak Leaf Cluster Details↗.
PH = "Purple Heart. Awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military." Purple Heart Details↗.
POW = "Prisoner Of War Medal. Awarded to any person who was taken prisoner or held captive while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States." Prisoner Of War Medal Details↗.
SS = "The Silver Star Medal is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. Awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States." Silver Star Details↗.

GRADE: This is synonymous with the misnomer "rank", and the abbreviations which may be found in these tables are as follows:
GEN, General (four star);
LT G, Lieutenant General, (three star);
M G, Major General, (two star);
B G, Brigadier General (one star);
COL, Colonel;
LT C, Lieutenant Colonel;
MAJ, Major;
CAPT, Captain;
1LT, First Lieutenant;
2LT, Second Lieutenant;
CWO, Chief Warrant Officer;
WOJG, Warrant Officer, Junior Grade;
FLO, Flight Officer;
AvC, Aviation Cadet;
AvI, Aviation Instructor;
MSGT, Master Sergeant;
1SGT, First Sergeant;
TSGT, Technical Sergeant;
SSGT, Staff Sergeant;
TEC3, Technician Third Grade;
SGT, Sergeant;
TEC4, Technician Fourth Grade;
CPL, Corporal;
TEC5, Technician Fifth Grade;
PFC, Private First Class, and
PVT, Private.
(MediC), Medical Corps.

Army Ranks Complete Abbreviation List↗.
Air Force Ranks Complete Abbreviation List↗.
Marine Corps Ranks Complete Abbreviation List↗.

RATING: This is synonymous with the misnomer "rank", and the abbreviations which may be found in these tables are as follows:
Capt, Captain;
Lt Comdr, Lieutenant Commander;
Lt, Lieutenant;
Lt (jg), Lieutenant Junior Grade;
Ens, Ensign;
Chf Bosn, Chief Boatswain;
Mach, Machinist;
ACad, Aviation Cadet;
AMM, Aviation Machinist's Mate;
AMsmth, Aviation Metalsmith;
AOM, Aviation Ordnanceman;
ART, Aviation Radio Technician;
AS, Apprentice Seaman; Able Seaman;
BM, Boatswain's Mate;
CCM, Chief Carpenter's Mate;
COX, Coxswain;
EM, Electrician's Mate;
F, Fireman;
GM, Gunner's Mate;
HA, Hospital Apprentice;
MM, Machinist's Mate;
PhM, Pharmacist's Mate;
RM, Radioman;
Sea, Seaman;
SC, Ship's Cook;
SF, Shipfitter;
SK, Storekeeper;
SM, Signalman;
SSM, Ship's Serviceman;
StdM, Steward's Mate;
WT, Watertender, and
Y, Yeoman. And
1c, 2c, 3c, 1st class, 2nd class, 3rd class, resp.
(MediC), Medical Corps.
1c, 2c, 3c, 1st Class Petty Officer, 2nd Class Petty Officer, 3rd Class Petty Officer, resp.

Navy Ranks Complete Abbreviation List↗.

The Purple Heart medal ribbon can legally be authorized to only three groups of personnel: (details↗)
    First, those wounded or injured as a direct result of hostile enemy action.

    Second, those wounded or injured as a direct result of friendly fire (FF). (Broadly speaking, FF occurs only during a hostile encounter or initiative with, or in response to, an enemy when someone on your side mistakes you for the enemy.) Or when injured by your own non-projectile weapon (bayonet, sword, blunt instrument, etc.) or projectile weapons fire (bullet, explosive device, etc) while engaging, responding to or attacking an enemy.

    Third, POWs injured or wounded as a result of individually directed conflict or punishment with their captor in violation of any article of the Geneva Convention Rules of Warfare Concerning the Treatment of Prisoners of War whether or not the captor's government is a signatory to the Convention.


The World War Two Victory medal can legally be authorized to personnel serving in any military branch in dates 7 Dec 1941 to 31 Dec 1946, even one day.

Note: The US Army's Complete List of Abbreviations Used in World War 2 here↗.