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The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military
decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious
service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for
valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat
award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award
(including both combat and non-combat awards) in the order of precedence of
U.S. military decorations. Officers from the other federal uniformed
services are also eligible to receive the award if they are militarized or
detailed to serve with a service branch of the armed forces.[1]
The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded by the Secretary of a military
department 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 December 6, 1941, distinguishes, or has distinguished, 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.
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
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