Bronze star

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Could someone tell me if this is a US NAVY
bronse star?

[dannyd]

That is not a Bronze Star it's a Navy Achievement Metal. Common Navy metal for usually not Non Combat activities, started being issued in the 1960's.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

Thanks dannyd.

[Dinny]

The Bronze Star Medal is not branch specific.

[Larry Gibson]

"The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal may be awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service (but not of sufficient nature to warrant a higher decoration)."

If awarded for heroism a "V" device will be on the ribbon portion of the medal.

This is a Bronze Star Medal;

316289

[dannyd]

Thanks dannyd.

No problem, somewhere in the a box I have 3 of those and 3 Navy commendation medals too. :)

[dale2242]

Larry, is that your Bronze Star???

[WILCO]

My Uncle earned the Bronze Star in Vietnam.
Nobody in the family knew it, until after he passed away.
He only spoke to me of the war once.
Didn't mention anything about it after that.

[porthos]

i have a navy achievement medal; it dosen't really mean much. just a decoration.

[dannyd]

i have a navy achievement medal; it dosen't really mean much. just a decoration.

When it first came out almost 60 years ago it did, but starting in the 1990's it became as common as a good conduct ribbon. ;)

[Larry Gibson]

Larry, is that your Bronze Star???

No, but mine looks just like that picture.

[Larry Gibson]

Unfortunate you feell it's just a decoration. Someone must have thought you deserved the award.

[Dinny]

I lost my BSM ribbon in my last move. Luckily I still have the orders, certificate, and it's on my DD214. I hope to find it someday in a random cardboard box in the garage or attic.

[skeettx]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achievement_Medal

[dale2242]

"No, but mine looks just like that picture."
Thanks to you and all veterans for your service.
I am not a veteran, but I don`t see how you could take receiving one lightly.
I had an uncle that received a Bronze Star and a Silver Star during WWII

[LAH]

There are 3 Silver Stars here local.

[jonp]

My Uncle earned the Bronze Star in Vietnam.
Nobody in the family knew it, until after he passed away.
He only spoke to me of the war once.
Didn't mention anything about it after that.

Grandfather earned one on WW2. Never knew it until his funeral almost 40yrs later. He told me, I think, 3 stories and none involved him being Kilroy. Two had nothing to do with combat. Many like that.

[Larry Gibson]

The Achievement Medal, the Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star may be awarded for achievement and/or commendation. The Commendation Medal and the Branze Star may also be awarded for "valor" in which case a "V" device is affixed to the ribbon portion of the medal.

The Silver Star is award only for "gallantry in action" against a foreign enemy. The Silver Star is the third highest award of heroism or bravery.

[nicholst55]

I lost my BSM ribbon in my last move. Luckily I still have the orders, certificate, and it's on my DD214. I hope to find it someday in a random cardboard box in the garage or attic.

Although it won't be quite the same as having the original, the National Archives will issue replacement awards.

[Larry Gibson]

You can also buy the medal from various vendors.

[Idaho45guy]

I was awarded the Southwest Asia Service medal with one Bronze Star. During Desert Storm. No idea what the Bronze star is for.

316333

[Larry Gibson]

I was awarded the Southwest Asia Service medal with one Bronze Star. During Desert Storm. No idea what the Bronze star is for.

316333

The star on the ribbon denotes you served there during 2 campaigns or served 2 separate tours. That bronze star is not the same as the Bronze Star Medal.

[Idaho45guy]

The star on the ribbon denotes you served there during 2 campaigns or served 2 separate tours. That bronze star is not the same as the Bronze Star Medal.

Thanks for explaining!

After I was active duty Navy, I then joined the Army National Guard for a few more years and received a few more awards. I wonder why I never received an updated DD214?

[Larry Gibson]

DD 214s only reflect active duty awards, official recognized foreign awards and decorations. The awards shown on DD 214s are those of active and Reserve duty. The Reserve forces, not National Guard forces, award active duty awards and do not have separate awards as does the NG. The NG can award active duty awards and most states have their own comparable state awards, a hold over from when personal on NG duty were not authorized AD awards. Thus, DD 214s do not contain any NG awards. The NG uses the NGB Form 22 for separation from the Army and Air Force National Guard. It is essentially the equivalent of the DD 214 and it should contain all authorized awards both AD and NG.

You probably should have gotten an NGB Form 22 on separation from the NG?

I might add that many, if not most, people put too much faith in DD 214s as being the last word on service, service related qualifications, length of service and awards/decorations. My last few years as an AGR in a personnel service battalion HQ many of our personnel service detachment personnel were full time technicians at the State personnel department. They produced DD 214s and NGB Form 22s. They also reviewed the personnel records of all personnel. The number of errors and or omissions in previously issued DD 214s of AC discharged Soldiers was dismaying to say the least. Those technicians spent an enormous amount of time correcting Soldiers records. The DEERS computerized records system has greatly reduced the number of errors/omissions. However, the forms are still filled out by humans, so mistakes are still made. I could tell you the horror story about the run in I had with a specialist filling out my DD 214 on my return from Iraq [I had to be discharged from Title 10 and then re-enlist under Title 32] but that would take too long.

I advised all Soldiers for years to keep their own record file (even if it was just a cardboard box) with all orders, course completions and other paper work in it.

The most common award omission in DD 214s and/or NGB Form 22s is pending awards. End of service awards, unit awards, schools or courses completed and campaign awards are the most common omissions these days. Any awards or decorations pending will not be on either form. When the award/decoration or documentation is received a request for an amended DD 214/NGB Form 22 can be submitted. Also, some awards and decorations do not require "orders". Proof of service meeting the criteria for the award/decoration are all that is needed.