A medal ribbon , service ribbon or ribbon bar is a small ribbon , mounted on a small metal bar equipped with an attaching device, which is generally issued for wear in place of a medal when it is not appropriate to wear the actual medal. Each country's government has its own rules on what ribbons can be worn in what circumstances and in which order. This is usually defined in an official document and is called "the order of precedence" or "the order of wearing." In some countries (particularly in North America and in Israel), some awards are "ribbon only," having no associated medal.
30-537: The Bronze Star Medal ( BSM ) is a United States Armed Forces 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 , Air Force , or Space Force for acts of valor in combat, the "V" device is authorized for wear on the medal. When
60-743: A case-by-case basis to maintain the integrity of the award. This is not the first time that the USAF has been criticized for offering this award. The Department of Defense investigated the award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) by the USAF to some 246 individuals after operations in Kosovo in 1999. All but 60 were awarded to officers, and only 16 of those awarded were actually in the combat zone. At least five were awarded to officers who never left Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. During this campaign,
90-511: A dead relative on the right side of the chest. Medals and ribbons not specifically mentioned in the "Order of wear" are also generally worn on the right side of the chest. Sequencing of the ribbons depends on each country's regulations. In the United States, for example, those with the highest status—typically awarded for heroism or distinguished service—are placed at the top of the display, while foreign decorations (when allowed) are last in
120-535: A debate as to whether or not the Air Force was awarding too many medals to its members, and whether the Bronze Star should be awarded for non-combat service. This prompted the Air Force to take down stories of the two posted to the internet, and to clarify its criteria for awarding medals. The Air Force contended that meritorious service awards of the Bronze Star outnumber valor awards, and that it views awards on
150-401: A larger impact on the battlefield. In times of war, it is not uncommon for commanders and other high value individuals to wear no markings on their uniforms and wear clothing and insignia of a lower ranking soldier. Service medals and ribbons are generally worn in rows on the left side of the chest. In certain commemorative or memorial circumstances, a relative may wear the medals or ribbons of
180-818: A number of Allied soldiers received the Bronze Star Medal in World War II , as well as UN soldiers in the Korean War , Vietnamese and allied forces in the Vietnam War , and coalition forces in recent military operations such as the Persian Gulf War , War in Afghanistan , and the Iraq War . A number of Bronze Star Medals with the "V" device were awarded to veterans of the Battle of Mogadishu . As
210-638: A result of a study conducted in 1947, a policy was implemented that authorized the retroactive award of the Bronze Star Medal (without the "V" device) to all soldiers who had received the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical Badge during World War II . The basis for this decision was that these badges were awarded only to soldiers who had borne the hardships which resulted in General Marshall's support of
240-634: A space for the name of the recipient to be engraved. The star hangs from its ribbon by a rectangular metal loop with rounded corners. The suspension ribbon is 1 + 3 ⁄ 8 inches (35 mm) wide and consists of the following stripes: 1 ⁄ 32 inch (0.79 mm) white 67101; 9 ⁄ 16 inch (14 mm) scarlet 67111; 1 ⁄ 32 inch (0.79 mm) white; center stripe 1 ⁄ 8 inch (3.2 mm) ultramarine blue 67118; 1 ⁄ 32 inch (0.79 mm) white; 9 ⁄ 16 inch (14 mm) scarlet; and 1 ⁄ 32 inch (0.79 mm) white. The Bronze Star Medal with
270-456: A standard practice of wearing full service ribbons on combat utility clothing. Others strictly prohibit this. These regulations are generally similar to the regulations regarding display of rank insignia and regulations regarding saluting of more senior ranks. The reasoning for such regulations is to prevent these displays from enabling opposing forces to easily identify persons of higher rank and therefore aid them in choosing targets which will have
300-481: A variety of colors. In the case of the U.S. government, it maintains a specific list of colors used on its ribbons, based on the Pantone Matching System and Federal Standard 595 color systems: There is a variety of constructions of service ribbons. In some countries, service ribbons are mounted on a "pin backing", which can be pushed through the fabric of a uniform and secured, with fasteners, on
330-451: Is purple with a white vertical stripe at each end (see photo). However, there are some military awards that do not have a suspension ribbon, but have an authorized ribbon and unit award emblem. The Soviet Order of Victory is a badge that was worn on the military parade uniform. However, a ribbon bar representing the Order of Victory was worn on a military field uniform. Ribbon bars come in
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#1732764824883360-3297: The U.S. Armed Forces . Such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a service member's career. The precedence of particular awards will vary slightly among the different branches of service. All awards and decorations may be awarded to any service member unless otherwise designated by name or notation. [REDACTED] Medal of Honor [REDACTED] Distinguished Service Cross (Army) [REDACTED] Navy Cross [REDACTED] Air Force Cross [REDACTED] Coast Guard Cross [REDACTED] Defense Distinguished Service Medal [REDACTED] Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal [REDACTED] Navy Distinguished Service Medal [REDACTED] Distinguished Service Medal (Air and Space Forces) [REDACTED] Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal [REDACTED] Silver Star Medal [REDACTED] Defense Superior Service Medal [REDACTED] Distinguished Flying Cross [REDACTED] Soldier's Medal [REDACTED] Navy and Marine Corps Medal [REDACTED] Airman's Medal [REDACTED] Coast Guard Medal [REDACTED] Bronze Star Medal [REDACTED] Purple Heart [REDACTED] Defense Meritorious Service Medal [REDACTED] Joint Service Commendation Medal [REDACTED] Army Commendation Medal [REDACTED] Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal [REDACTED] Air and Space Commendation Medal [REDACTED] Coast Guard Commendation Medal [REDACTED] Joint Service Achievement Medal [REDACTED] Army Achievement Medal [REDACTED] Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal [REDACTED] Air and Space Achievement Medal [REDACTED] Coast Guard Achievement Medal [REDACTED] Navy Combat Action Ribbon [REDACTED] Combat Action Medal (Air and Space Forces) [REDACTED] Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon Also see: Army combat badges [REDACTED] Presidential Unit Citation (Army) [REDACTED] Presidential Unit Citation (Navy and Marine Corps) [REDACTED] Presidential Unit Citation (Air and Space Forces) [REDACTED] Presidential Unit Citation (Coast Guard) [REDACTED] DHS Outstanding Unit Award [REDACTED] Valorous Unit Award (Army) [REDACTED] Navy Unit Commendation [REDACTED] Gallant Unit Citation (Air and Space Forces) [REDACTED] Coast Guard Unit Commendation [REDACTED] Army Meritorious Unit Commendation [REDACTED] Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation [REDACTED] Meritorious Unit Award (Air and Space Forces) [REDACTED] Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Service ribbon According to
390-400: The "V" device to denote heroism is the fourth highest military decoration for valor. Although a service member may be cited for heroism in combat and be awarded more than one Bronze Star authorizing the "V" device, only one "V" may be worn on each suspension and service ribbon of the medal. The following ribbon devices must be specifically authorized in the award citation in order to be worn on
420-591: The "V" device) may be awarded to each member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 6 December 1941, was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat against an armed enemy between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. For this purpose, the US Army's Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge award is considered as a citation in orders. Documents executed since 4 August 1944 in connection with recommendations for
450-471: The Bronze Star Medal, the criteria for and wear of the devices vary between the services: Colonel Russell P. "Red" Reeder conceived the idea of the Bronze Star Medal in 1943; he believed it would aid morale if captains of companies or of batteries could award a medal to deserving people serving under them. Reeder felt another medal was needed as a ground equivalent of the Air Medal , and suggested calling
480-725: The Executive Order, for example, the US was not a belligerent in Vietnam, so US advisers serving with the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces would not have been eligible for the award. Since the award criteria state that the Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to "any person ... while serving in any capacity in or with" the US Armed Forces, awards to members of foreign armed services serving with the United States are permitted. Thus,
510-689: The Navy had awarded 69 BSMs, and the Army with 5,000 troops in neighboring Albania (considered part of the combat zone) awarded none. In the end, there was a Pentagon review and decision by Congress in 2001 to stop the awarding of Bronze Stars to personnel outside the combat zone. Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces Various medals, service ribbons , ribbon devices , and specific badges recognize military service and personal accomplishments of members of
540-598: 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 Department of 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 , Coast Guard , or Space Force of
570-415: The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the U.S. military's standard size for a ribbon bar is 1 + 3 ⁄ 8 inches (35 mm) wide, 3 ⁄ 8 inch (9.5 mm) tall, with a thickness of 0.8 mm. The service ribbon for a specific medal is usually identical to the suspension ribbon on the medal. For example, the suspension and service ribbon for the U.S. government's Purple Heart medal
600-603: 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— The acts of heroism are of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star . The acts of merit or acts of valor must be less than that required for the Legion of Merit but must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction. The Bronze Star Medal (without
630-483: The award of decorations of higher degree than the Bronze Star Medal cannot be used as the basis for an award under this paragraph. Effective 11 September 2001, the Meritorious Service Medal may also be bestowed in lieu of the Bronze Star Medal (without Combat "V" device) for meritorious achievement in a designated combat theater. The Bronze Star Medal was designed by Rudolf Freund (1878–1960) of
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#1732764824883660-528: The award. For example, UPI reporter Joe Galloway was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" device for actions during the Vietnam War , specifically rescuing a badly wounded soldier under fire in the Battle of Ia Drang Valley, in 1965. Another civilian recipient was writer Ernest Hemingway . The Bronze Star Medal was established by Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (superseded by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, as amended by Executive Order 13286, 28 February 2003). The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded by
690-1994: The bottom rows. When medals are worn (typically on the left side of a shirt or jacket), ribbons with no corresponding medals are worn on the right side. The study, history and collection of ribbons, among other military decorations, is known as phaleristics (sometimes spelled faleristics by users of U.S. English). [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] In
720-526: The establishment of the Bronze Star Medal. Both badges required a recommendation by the commander and a citation in orders. In 2012, two U.S. airmen were allegedly subjected to cyber-bullying after receiving Bronze Star Medals for meritorious non-combat service. The two airmen, who had received the medals in March 2012, had been finance NCOICs in medical units deployed to the War in Afghanistan . The awards sparked
750-763: The inside edge. These ribbons can be individually secured and then lined up, or they can be all mounted on to a single fastener. After the Second World War, it was common for all ribbons to be mounted on a single metal bar and worn in a manner similar to a brooch. Other methods of wearing have included physically sewing each service ribbon onto the uniform garments. "Orders of wearing" define which ribbons may be worn on which types of uniform in which positions under which circumstances. For example, miniature medals on dinner dress, full medals on parade dress, ribbons on dress shirts, but no decorations on combat dress and working clothing. Some countries (such as Cuba ) maintain
780-414: The jewelry firm Bailey, Banks & Biddle . (Freund also designed the Silver Star .) The medal is a bronze star 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 inches (38 mm) in circumscribing diameter. In the center is a 3 ⁄ 16 inch (4.8 mm) diameter superimposed bronze star, the center line of all rays of both stars coinciding. The reverse bears the inscription " HEROIC OR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT " with
810-626: The maintenance of their morale of great importance. The award of the Air Medal has had an adverse reaction on the ground troops, particularly the Infantry Riflemen who are now suffering the heaviest losses, air or ground, in the Army, and enduring the greatest hardships. The Air Medal had been adopted two years earlier to raise airmen's morale. President Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star Medal by Executive Order 9419 dated 4 February 1944, retroactive to 7 December 1941. This authorization
840-648: The medal is awarded by the Navy , Marine Corps , or Coast Guard for acts of valor or meritorious service in combat, the Combat "V" is authorized for wear on the medal. Officers from the other Uniformed Services of the United States are eligible to receive this award, as are foreign soldiers who have served with or alongside a service branch of the United States Armed Forces. Civilians serving with U.S. military forces in combat are also eligible for
870-413: The proposed new award the "Ground Medal". The idea eventually rose through the military bureaucracy and gained supporters. General George C. Marshall , in a memorandum to President Franklin D. Roosevelt dated 3 February 1944, wrote The fact that the ground troops, Infantry in particular, lead miserable lives of extreme discomfort and are the ones who must close in personal combat with the enemy, makes
900-480: Was announced in War Department Bulletin No. 3, dated 10 February 1944. President John F. Kennedy amended Executive Order 9419 per Executive Order 11046 dated 24 August 1962 to expand the authorization to include those serving with friendly forces. This allowed for awards where US service members become involved in an armed conflict where the United States was not a belligerent. At the time of
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