Bronze Star Medal

Bronze Star Medal. The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, and United States Coast Guard for heroic or meritorious achievement while engaged in combat with an enemy of the United States. Established on February 4, 1944, by Executive Order 9419, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Bronze Star Medal is the fourth-highest combat decoration awarded by the United States Armed Forces, after the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross. The medal is also related to the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal, which are also awarded for various achievements and service.

● History

The Bronze Star Medal was established during World War II, with the first awards being made in 1944 to Allied Forces personnel, including those from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The medal was designed by Rudolf Freund, a United States Army artist, and was initially intended to be awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement in ground combat against an enemy of the United States. Over time, the eligibility criteria for the medal have been expanded to include United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, and United States Coast Guard personnel, as well as CIA operatives, such as William Francis Buckley, who was awarded the medal posthumously for his service during the Lebanon hostage crisis. The Bronze Star Medal has been awarded to numerous notable recipients, including George S. Patton, Omar Bradley, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Douglas MacArthur, who all received the medal for their service during World War II.

● Eligibility

The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement while engaged in combat with an enemy of the United States. Eligibility for the medal is not limited to United States Army personnel, but also includes members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, and United States Coast Guard. The medal may also be awarded to CIA operatives, such as those who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq, and to personnel from other NATO countries, such as Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia, who have served alongside United States Armed Forces personnel in combat. Notable recipients of the medal include John F. Kennedy, who received the medal for his service during World War II, and Chuck Hagel, who received the medal for his service during the Vietnam War.

● Criteria

The criteria for awarding the Bronze Star Medal are established by the United States Armed Forces, and include heroic or meritorious achievement while engaged in combat with an enemy of the United States. The medal may be awarded for a single act of heroism or for sustained meritorious service over a period of time. The criteria for the medal are similar to those for the Purple Heart, which is awarded for wounds or injuries sustained in combat, and the Meritorious Service Medal, which is awarded for non-combat meritorious service. The Bronze Star Medal may also be awarded with a Valor device, which is a V device that is attached to the medal to indicate that it was awarded for heroism in combat. Notable recipients of the medal with a Valor device include Audie Murphy, who received the medal for his service during World War II, and Sal Giunta, who received the medal for his service during the War in Afghanistan.

● Appearance

The Bronze Star Medal is a bronze star with a Laurel wreath in the center, surrounded by a circle with the inscription "HEROIC OR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT" at the top and "UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES" at the bottom. The medal is suspended from a ribbon with a broad central stripe of purple, flanked by narrower stripes of white, and with a bronze star at the center of the ribbon. The medal is similar in appearance to the Purple Heart, which has a purple ribbon with a silver profile of George Washington in the center, and the Meritorious Service Medal, which has a ribbon with a broad central stripe of blue, flanked by narrower stripes of white. The Bronze Star Medal is also related to the Air Medal, which is awarded for meritorious achievement in flight, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, which is awarded for meritorious service.

● Notable_recipients

The Bronze Star Medal has been awarded to numerous notable recipients, including George S. Patton, Omar Bradley, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Douglas MacArthur, who all received the medal for their service during World War II. Other notable recipients include John F. Kennedy, who received the medal for his service during World War II, and Chuck Hagel, who received the medal for his service during the Vietnam War. The medal has also been awarded to CIA operatives, such as William Francis Buckley, who was awarded the medal posthumously for his service during the Lebanon hostage crisis. Other notable recipients include Audie Murphy, who received the medal for his service during World War II, and Sal Giunta, who received the medal for his service during the War in Afghanistan. The medal has also been awarded to personnel from other NATO countries, such as Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia, who have served alongside United States Armed Forces personnel in combat.

● Awards_and_decorations

The Bronze Star Medal is one of the most prestigious awards and decorations in the United States Armed Forces, and is considered to be a high honor. The medal is ranked fourth in the order of precedence for combat decorations, after the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross. The medal is also related to the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal, which are also awarded for various achievements and service. The Bronze Star Medal has been awarded to over 1.6 million personnel since its establishment in 1944, and continues to be awarded to this day for heroic or meritorious achievement in combat. Notable recipients of the medal include Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., who received the medal for his service during the Gulf War, and David Petraeus, who received the medal for his service during the War in Afghanistan. The medal is also awarded to personnel who have served in other conflicts, such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and is considered to be a symbol of bravery and sacrifice. Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States