Silver Star Medal

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Silver Star Medal

The Silver Star (SS) medal is the third highest military valor decoration that can be awarded to a person serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces. It is the highest U.S. Military valor decoration that may be awarded to members of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations.

The Silver Star may be awarded to any individual -- military, civilian, or foreign -- who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States, distinguishes himself or herself by gallantry in action under any of the following circumstances:
1. While engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.
2. While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.
3. While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action that does not warrant the Medal of Honor or the Air Force Cross. Gallantry in action means heroism of high degrees including risk of life.

The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Army Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. The Silver Star medal may be awarded posthumously.

Description: The Medal has a small silver star within a wreath centered on a larger star of gold-colored metal. The Ribbon has a center band of red flanked by equal bands of white; the white bands are flanked by equal blue bands having borders of white lines with blue edgings.

Category of Award: Personal/Individual Performance Award.

Devices: Bronze/Silver Oak Leaf Clusters, Gold/Silver 5/16 Inch Stars, (if applicable)

References:
AFI 36-2803, 18 Dec 18 2013,, The Air Force Awards and Decorations Program, Pages 74 and 75.
AR 600-8-22, Army Regulation, Military Awards, Page 41.
SECNAVINST 1650.1H, Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual, Page 2-23.
COMDTINST M1650.25E, Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual, Page 2-4.
DoD Manual 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards, Page 99.
DoD Manual 1348.33, Volume 3, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD-Wide Performance and Valor Awards, Pages 13 and 14.