Bronze Star Medal

The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service.

History

General George C. Marshall, in a memorandum to President Franklin D. Roosevelt dated February 3, 1944, wrote:

Related Topics:
George C. Marshall - President - Franklin D. Roosevelt - February 3 - 1944

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: “The fact that the ground troops, Infantry in particular, lead miserable lives of extreme discomfort and are the ones who must close in personal combat with the enemy, makes the maintenance of their morale of great importance. The award of the Air Medal have had an adverse reaction on the ground troops, particularly the Infantry Riflemen who are now suffering the heaviest losses, air or ground, in the Army, and enduring the greatest hardships.”

Related Topics:
Infantry - Personal combat - Air Medal - Infantry Riflemen

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The Air Medal had been adopted two years earlier to raise airmen's morale. President Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star Medal by Executive Order 9419 dated February 4, 1944, retroactive to December 7, 1941. This authorization was announced in War Department Bulletin No. 3, dated February 10, 1944.

Related Topics:
Air Medal - Executive Order - February 4 - 1944 - December 7 - 1941 - February 10

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The Executive Order was amended by President John F. Kennedy, per Executive Order 11046 dated August 24, 1962, to expand the authorization to include those serving with friendly forces. Such an honor has been presented but three times:

Related Topics:
John F. Kennedy - August 24 - 1962

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• To the 2nd Battalion of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry for their fight in the Medak Pocket in the former Yugoslavia;
• To the 1st Battalion of the Royal 22^e Régiment for its defense of the airport at Sarajevo;
• To 26 members of 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group, including posthumously to four killed when a U.S. F-16 fighter-bomber mistakenly attacked them as they conducted a night firing exercise on the outskirts of Kandahar, Afghanistan.