Bronze Star Medal
Overview
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. When the medal is awarded by the Army and Air Force for acts of valor in combat, the "V" device is authorized for wear on the medal. When the medal is awarded by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard for acts of valor or meritorious service in combat, the Combat "V" is authorized for wear on the medal.
History
The Bronze Star Medal was established by Executive Order 9419, dated 4 February 1944, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Executive Order was retroactive to 7 December 1941. This decoration was created so that captains, lieutenants, warrant officers, and enlisted men, who were cited for gallantry in action could receive a fitting decoration. The Bronze Star Medal is the fourth-highest individual military award and the ninth-highest by order of precedence in the US Military.
Criteria
The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded by the Secretary of a military department or the Secretary of Homeland Security with regard to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy, or by such military commanders, or other appropriate officers as the Secretary concerned may designate, to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard of the United States, after 6 December 1941, distinguishes, or has distinguished, herself or himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight— (a) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; (b) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or (c) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Design
The Bronze Star Medal is a bronze star 1 1⁄2 inches (38 mm) in circumscribing diameter. On the obverse, the medal depicts a raised star in the center of a pentagon. The pentagon is surrounded by a wreath, while a replica of the President's seal is superimposed in the center of the star. On the reverse, the center of the star contains space for engraving the recipient's name and the words "HEROIC OR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT", and the ribbon is 1 3⁄8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1⁄32 inch white 67101; 9⁄16 inch scarlet 67111; 1⁄32 inch white; center stripe 1⁄8 inch ultramarine blue 67118; 1⁄32 inch white; 9⁄16 inch scarlet; and 1⁄32 inch white.
Notable Recipients
There have been numerous notable recipients of the Bronze Star Medal. These include individuals from all branches of the military and from all ranks. Some of the most notable recipients include Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II, and Senator Daniel Inouye, a World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient.