Bronze star (campaign) versus the Bronze Star medal

[Walt's Daughter]

Well, even though these topics are interspersed throughout the forum, thought is was time I touched on this topic and compared the two, for this is a constant point of contention and confusion. I can't tell you how many letters I get from people telling me that their father received four Bronze Stars during the war, etc. Well...

 

 

Leave it to the Army to confuse the hell out of ya! Couldn't we have come up with another name, etc. for these? C'mon now!!!

 

There are two different types of Bronze/bronze stars.

 

• The first one is actually an awarded MEDAL -
  
  For heroic or meritorious achievement of service, not involving aerial flight in connection with operations against an opposing armed force.
  Authorized on February 4, 1944 the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to members of all branches of military service and may be awarded either for combat heroism or for meritorious service.

It looks like this -

• The 2nd kind were worn on the ribbon bar. For example if you see three bronze stars:
  They are "ribbon devices" for participation in major campaigns
  The three stars on an ETO ribbon means a veteran served in 3 campaigns in the European Theater of Operations. If a vet was in more than 5 campaigns - the bronze stars would've been replaced by one silver star.
  
  

 

 

Hope that helps clarify the confusion.