Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal , unofficially also Bronze Star , is an award given by the US armed forces for outstanding performance in combat or particularly deserved fulfillment of duties. Aviation missions are excluded, for which the Distinguished Flying Cross of roughly equal rank is awarded. The medal was first awarded in 1944 and can also be awarded to members of allied nations if they fight alongside US Americans.
The Bronze Star Medal can also be awarded posthumously to soldiers if they earn it by doing an act that kills them.
On the back, the Bronze Star Medal shows the words HEROIC OR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT and the name of the recipient .
The so-called Combat Distinguishing Device , also known as Combat V for short , is a small bronze V that is worn on the ribbon to distinguish whether the Bronze Star Medal was awarded for bravery in a combat mission or for special fulfillment of duties unrelated to a combat mission.
In addition to the Combat V , the Bronze Star Medal can also be awarded with oak leaves by the Army and Air Force. A 5/16 inch star , a silver or gold star is awarded by the Navy, the Marines and the Coast Guard . The color of the star occasionally leads to confusion with the silver star .
The Bronze Star Medal is the highest military distinction in the United States that can be bestowed directly by division commanders and commanders in comparable positions. All higher awards must be awarded by the minister of the respective armed forces (for example the Silver Star or the Distinguished Service Cross ).
