Silver Star

Silver Star. It is the third-highest military decoration exclusively for combat valor in the United States Armed Forces, ranking just below the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the Air Force Cross. Authorized by an act of the United States Congress and established by the War Department in 1932, it recognizes acts of gallantry performed against an enemy force. The award is presented by all branches of service and has been awarded for actions from the Spanish–American War to contemporary conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

History

The award's origins trace back to a 1918 General Order from the United States Army which authorized a small silver citation star to be worn on the campaign ribbon of the World War I Victory Medal for those cited for gallantry. This practice was formalized by the United States Congress under the authority of the United States Department of War on July 9, 1918. The modern medal was created by an Act of Congress on July 19, 1932, retroactive to include citations from actions as early as the Spanish–American War. Subsequent executive orders from presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy have refined its statutes, and it has been awarded for valor in every major conflict involving the United States since its inception, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terrorism.

Design and specifications

The medal is a gold-colored five-pointed star, one and a half inches in diameter, with a laurel wreath encircling a smaller silver star at its center. The central silver star contains a raised, smaller gold-colored star, which is surrounded by a golden laurel wreath symbolizing achievement. The reverse is plain and is engraved with the inscription "FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION". The ribbon is primarily a field of red, white, and blue, with a central vertical stripe of white flanked by thin blue stripes, wider red stripes on the edges, and a thin white stripe separating the blue and red. The design was created by the United States Army Institute of Heraldry and is manufactured under the authority of the United States Department of Defense.

Award criteria and notable recipients

The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States that is of a lesser degree than that required for the Medal of Honor or the service crosses. The act must be performed in connection with military operations and involve risk of life. Notable recipients include famed Marine and actor Audie Murphy, who also received the Medal of Honor; General of the Army Douglas MacArthur; and Senator and former presidential candidate John McCain, who was honored for his actions as a naval aviator during the Vietnam War. Other distinguished recipients include General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., Colonel David Hackworth, and numerous unsung heroes from battles like the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Mogadishu (1993).

Order of precedence and wear

Within the precedence of United States military awards, it is positioned below the service-specific crosses (the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross) and above the Defense Superior Service Medal. When worn with other personal decorations, it follows this order on the uniform. Regulations for wear are governed by the respective service branches, including the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, and United States Space Force, as detailed in manuals like Army Regulation 670-1. Multiple awards are denoted by oak leaf cluster devices or service stars.

Related awards and variants

The Silver Star is part of a family of awards for combat heroism, sitting directly above the Bronze Star Medal, which can also be awarded for valor or meritorious service. While not a variant, the Citation Star from which it evolved is a direct predecessor. No distinct service variants exist, unlike the Legion of Merit, but it is analogous to the Distinguished Service Cross in the United States Army. Foreign awards of similar stature include the British Distinguished Service Order and the French Croix de Guerre.