Posted on Feb 20, 2015
How should Vietnam War recipients of the Bronze Star Medal interpret more recent liberal awarding of the Bronze Star?
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I know this has been covered ad nauseum on this site before, but I'd like specific advice from the Rally Point community regarding a deeply personal slant to the issue.
My uncle is a Vietnam veteran (Army airborne draftee ca. 1967). He has severe PTSD and for him, the war rages on. Almost every conversation, no matter how benign, somehow turns to his time in Nam.
During his tour in Vietnam, he earned a Bronze Star with V device. It is a source of immense pride for him. He is a man of few possessions, but his citation has always been a framed and displayed proudly in his home. The short synopsis of his citation is that in the midst of a heavy firefight, he exposed himself to enemy fire to drag a wounded Soldier from his platoon to safety--saving his life.
Unfortunately, he recently discovered that folks in Iraq and Afghanistan are earning Bronze Stars for meritorious service in theater (i.e. simply being there). This made him question the prestige of his award. I explained to him that, yes, the basic award is being issued more liberally but his V device is the discriminator. His award is indeed special and continues to garner high respect.
For the record, he is being treated by VA mental health professionals for his PTSD. This damn medal thing just wounded him pretty deeply (logically or not). The sum of my 20 years don't approach the intensity of his single year in Vietnam, but since I'm his nephew and I served, he confides in me often. He seems to have accepted my explanation, but I can tell it still bothers him. It's as though he feels like a fool for being so proud of his medal all these years. Any advice from the community is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
My uncle is a Vietnam veteran (Army airborne draftee ca. 1967). He has severe PTSD and for him, the war rages on. Almost every conversation, no matter how benign, somehow turns to his time in Nam.
During his tour in Vietnam, he earned a Bronze Star with V device. It is a source of immense pride for him. He is a man of few possessions, but his citation has always been a framed and displayed proudly in his home. The short synopsis of his citation is that in the midst of a heavy firefight, he exposed himself to enemy fire to drag a wounded Soldier from his platoon to safety--saving his life.
Unfortunately, he recently discovered that folks in Iraq and Afghanistan are earning Bronze Stars for meritorious service in theater (i.e. simply being there). This made him question the prestige of his award. I explained to him that, yes, the basic award is being issued more liberally but his V device is the discriminator. His award is indeed special and continues to garner high respect.
For the record, he is being treated by VA mental health professionals for his PTSD. This damn medal thing just wounded him pretty deeply (logically or not). The sum of my 20 years don't approach the intensity of his single year in Vietnam, but since I'm his nephew and I served, he confides in me often. He seems to have accepted my explanation, but I can tell it still bothers him. It's as though he feels like a fool for being so proud of his medal all these years. Any advice from the community is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Posted in these groups: 
PTSD
PTSD
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 30
I wrote a command post on this. It was something that is very contested in the military. The fact is still that the Bronze Star started out as a service award. Then the V device came out. The Bronze Star was blanked in WWII in mass to any infantryman with a CIB. Initially it was issued in bulk. That is why you will see some veterans get their Bronze Star now a days. They had no clue they got it on their record and a family member will found out. The Purple Heart was even given out as a service Award for a short period of time until the Meritorious Service Medal was introduced. It is not so much the medal that is of value. It was the Act that was worthy of such an award that is important. You could find MoH winners who go it for some questionable acts. I really wonder if "Running down an Indian and Killed him" is worth the Medal of Honor compared to some of our modern day awardees. But I doubt John Comfort really cared. But when you get into the game of comparing your service to others you are going to venture into a dangerous area. I served as an infantryman in combat. I part fourth a substantial sacrifice, maybe more than others but that doesn't make my service any better or worse than others. It is about service and doing the best you can. It is about his commander thinking he act of Valor was worth the Medal as apposed to being a S1 in Iraq.
http://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/military-misconceptions-the-bronze-star-medal
http://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/military-misconceptions-the-bronze-star-medal
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CPT (Join to see)
Capt Jeff S. I have seen awards given out merely for effort. I sent 4 years in the army and never got an achievement medal. I know of a guy that got one just for getting medically disqualified from a deployment. It is mine blowing. The regulation even says that you shouldn't just hand them out but they do it anyway.
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CPT William Jones
Cpl Mark McMiller - yes they can award it right after they court martial her for having her personnel weaponing such poor condition it would not function.
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CPT (Join to see)
Capt Jeff S. - As you are already aware some branches overvalue awards and decorations while others do the exact opposite. We cannot go back to the time when we only had the MOH and it was awarded in large numbers to deserving people.
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A Bronze Star Medal with no "V" on an officer . . . about as impressive as a Good Conduct Medal on an enlisted person. No offense intended.
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CPT William Jones
You are about right and I have One. I did not even think of shooting the Battalion Commander.
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CPT (Join to see)
You cannot make an inflammatory or rude statement and then at the end of it all say "no offense intended". Offense was intended and I am duly offended. It seems that even a senior Marine NCO can be tainted by what passes for courtesy today.
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CSM Thomas Ray
I agree that the BS was given out by rank, but I think the problem is there is no other medal above the ACM to be given to non combat units. I turned down a BS on my last tour in Iraq, and told command I would not accept any medal higher than any of my senior NCO's. As an enlisted soldier I was awarded 3 Bronze stars, one for valor, and die not think I deserved another for doing my job.
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Not that my opinion or say in the topic should mean much, but the Bronze Star with a Valor "V" or Combat "V" will always and always has been regarded with higher respect and virtue to the recipient - even above those who earned the same medal for "meritorious achievement". Those who are awarded the medal for heroism should be proud of what they did! There is no shame in earning any award if it is for valor.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
I totally agree --- I think it is absolute nonsense to be handing out a Bronze Star for "meritorious service" or any thing else less than valor. Nothing irritates me more than to see a Marine wearing a Navy Commendation with a "V" while another is sporting a Bronze Star without a "V" ... of course, you can pretty much guess the ranks of the two Marines mentioned.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
Cpl (Join to see) - I value your opinion and it means just as much as that of anybody else. Semper fi!
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PV2 (Join to see)
I value your opinion and agree Cpl (Join to see). MSgt Jim Pollock please thank your Uncle for his service and valor and courage under fire. He should be proud of his medal and service to his country.
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CPT William Jones
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad - The major difference is the V. They had to have something to put it on and so decided to use the Bronze Star.I don't know why but that is the only reason I can think of. When I talk with folks and tell them I receive a bronze star i make sure they know the difference between my "He did a good Job" to the hero with V.
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