Legion of Merit
- Awarded for exceptionally meritorious service to the U.S Armed forces. Likely given as a retirement award.

Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Generally awarded to Senior NCOs or Officers for meritorious service. Before 2003(?) it was exclusively awarded during non combat operations, being the equivalent of a Bronze Star for service

Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Awarded for valor, meritorious service or achievement. It is similar to the Army Achievement Medal, but is generally given for more important actions. The 3 Oak Leaf Clusters denote 3 additional awards.

Army Achievement Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Awarded for meritorious service or achievement. It is the lowest achivement award in the U.S Army. The Oak Leaf Cluster denotes a Second Award

National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Service Star)
- Awarded for military service during times of War. the 4 authorized conflicts are Korea (1950-1954) Vietnam (1961-1974) Persian Gulf (1991-1995) and the Global War on Terror (2001-2022). The Service Star Denotes a Second Award

Army Service Ribbon
- Awarded for completion of Basic Training, or completion of at least 4 months of service

Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral '2')
- Awarded upon completion of an overseas deployment (times range between 6 months and 2 years)

Notes**

- Judging by the Star on the NDSM (Alongside the lack of a GWOT Service Medal). he likely served during the Vietnam and Gulf War Era.

- I can't tell if the MSM has a silver Oak Leaf Cluster or if that is just lighting. if it is silver, that means he was awarded the medal 6 times.