For service in the US Armed Forces within the European-African-Middle
Eastern
Theater of Operations from 07 Dec 1941 to 08 Nov 1945.
For service in the US Armed Forces within the European-African-Middle
Eastern
Theater of Operations from 07 Dec 1941 to 08 Nov 1945.
One bronze service star may be worn for each campaign;
one silver service star in lieu of five bronze:
Designed by Thomas Hudson Jones,
Reverse by A.A. Weinman
For service in the US Armed Forces within the American Theater of
Operations
from 07 Dec 1941 to 02 Mar 1946.
One bronze service star may be worn for each campaign:
Antisubmarine -- 7 Dec 1941-2 Sep 1945
Ground Combat -- 7 Dec 1941-2 Sep 1945
Air Combat -- 7 Dec 1941-2 Sep 1945
Ribbon colors decoded:
Background; blue represents the United States
Center Grouping; red/white/blue represents the United States
Left and Right Groupings; black/white represents Germany, red/whiterepresentsJapan
Designed by Thomas Hudson Jones,
Reverse by A.A. Weinman
Established by Congress on 09 Jul 1945, and awarded to members of the US
Armed Forces
for service between 07 Dec 1941 and 31 Dec 1946.
Designed by Thomas Hudson Jones
Established by the War Department in 1946 and awarded to members of the US
Army and Air Force
for thirty days or more consecutive service in the Occupation
Forces.
Occupation Zone limits:
The Japan Clasp , the Germany Clasp , and the Berlin Airlift Device are
all authorized for wear on the suspension ribbon.
Designed by Thomas Hudson Jones
Established by order of the President 28 Jun 1941;
"For enlisted personnel who, on or after 27 Aug 1940, had or shall
have honorably completed three years
of active federal military service,
or who, after 7 Dec 1941, have or shall have honorably served
one year of
federal military service while the United States is at war."
A metal clasp;
1/8-inch by 1 3/8-inches; of bronze, silver, or gold; indicates second and
subsequent award.
Established by order of the President on 04 FEB 1944, awarded to personnel of
the US Armed Forces,
who on or after 07 DEC 1941, distinguished themselves:
"For Heroic or Meritorious Achievement of Service, not involving
aerial flight,
in connection with Operations Against an Opposing Armed Force."
|
Special
Circumstances for WW II Combat Veterans:
AR 600-8-22,
Chapter 3, Section 13. Bronze Star Medal |
Bronze "V" device worn to denote Valor/Heroism. Second and subsequent awards are denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze.
Designed by Bailey, Banks, and Biddle
Originally established by Commander-in-Chief George Washington on 07 AUG 1782, at Newburgh on the Hudson, New York, as an award for outstanding military merit, or the 'Badge of Merit'. The decoration was in the form of an embroidered, heart-shaped badge of purple cloth and only three non-commissioned officers received the Order at that time. Though never officially abolished it was not again awarded for almost one hundred and fifty years.
Upon its revival in 1932, as the Purple Heart, the decoration was to be awarded to members of the US Army in two categories:
"For being wounded in action in any war or campaign under conditions which entitle the wearing of a wound chevron."
"For those persons who perform any singularly meritorious act of extraordinary fidelity or essential service."
In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an Executive Order which provided that the Purple Heart would be made available to members of all the US Armed Services who were wounded in action. Since then the Purple Heart has become one of the most highly respected decorations of the US Armed Forces. The decoration holds a very unique position in that it can be earned in only one way, by being wounded. An attendant requirement is that the wound must have been received as a direct result of enemy actions.
Second and subsequent awards are
denoted by bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze.
Designed by Elizabeth Will; Sculpted by John Sinnock
Effective 03 NOV 1966, the Distinguished Unit Citation was redesignated the Presidential Unit Citation (Army). The PUC is awarded to units of the United States Armed Forces and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occuring on or after 07 DEC 1941. The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of a Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. Extended periods of combat duty or participation in a large number of operational missions, either ground or air, is not sufficient.
The PUC is authorized for purchase and wear as a permanent part of the uniform by those individuals who served with the unit during the cited period. It may be worn temporarily by those persons serving in the unit subsequent to the cited period.
Second and subsequent awards are denoted by wear of the bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; a silver Oak Leaf Cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze.
When awarded for combat or direct combat support, a bronze "V" device is worn. (AR 670-1)
A silver and enamel badge 1 inch in height and 3 inches in width, consisting of an infantry musket on a light blue bar with a silver border, on and over an elliptical oak wreath. Stars are added at the top of the wreath to indicate subsequent awards; one star for the second award, two stars for the third award and three stars for the fourth award.
The bar is blue, the color associated with the Infantry branch. The musket is adapted from the Infantry insignia of branch and represents the first official U.S. shoulder arm, the 1795 model Springfield Arsenal musket. It was adopted as the official Infantry branch insignia in 1924. The oak symbolizes steadfastness, strength and loyalty.
Awarded to personnel in the grade of Colonel or below with an infantry military occupational specialty who have satisfactorily performed duty while assigned as a member of an infantry unit, brigade or smaller size, during any period subsequent to 6 December 1941 when the unit was engaged in active ground combat. The policy was expanded to permit award to Command Sergeants Major of infantry battalions or brigades, effective 1 January 1967. Specific criteria for each conflict was also established. Only one award is authorized for service in Vietnam, Laos, Dominican Republic, Korea (subsequent to 27 July 1954), Grenada, Panama, and Southwest Asia.