decorated veteran
Medaled military hero
A decorated veteran is a former military service member who has received medals, ribbons, or other official honors for distinguished service, bravery, or achievement.
The term emphasizes recognition beyond ordinary duty: a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.
Politicians and public figures often invoke their status as decorated veterans to establish credibility on matters of defense or patriotism.
- war heroOne honored for combat bravery
- heroOne admired for courage
- Medal of HonorPeak military valor recognition
- medalMetal honor token
- Silver StarCombat gallantry decoration
combat · service · valor · courage · Purple Heart · military · soldier · honorable · wounded · battlefield · bravery · distinguished · commendation · ribbons · dress uniform · uniform · sacrifice · patriot
- Veteransvets, VA, retired soldier, ex-serviceman, combat vet
- winnerswinner, winners, champion, champions, victors
- military statusactive duty, enlisted, retired, deployed, reservist
- honoreeshonoree, honorees, award winner, awardee, awardees
- honorificssir, madam, Mr, Mrs, Ms
decorated veteranraw recruit
Untrained new soldier
cadet · new recruit · enlistee · greenhorn · conscript
decorated veterancivilian
Non-military person
draft dodger · noncombatant · conscientious objector · pacifist · non-combatant
decorated, veteran, decorate, decorates, decorating, decoration, decorations, decorative, decorator