United States Medals and Decorations Database

1- The Silver Star Medal

The Silver Star was approved by the Secretary of War on July 16, 1932, although it was made retroactive for those who had received the Citation Star approved by Congress on July 9, 1918, both were granted. for valor in combat.

Large numbers of WW1 veterans applied to receive the Silver Star after this date, as they had received the Star Citation at the time, as well as other citations that made them eligible to receive the Silver Star in 1932.

On December 15, 1942, Congress included civilians who served in the Armed Forces as eligible for this award.

In any case, the degree of heroism required for the Silver Star, although it did not reach that required for the Congressional Medal of Honor or the Distinguished Service Cross, should be remarkable.

During World War II, 73,651 were delivered

During the Korean War 10,061 were delivered

During the Vietnam War, 21,630

During Operation Desert Storm, 75

The Silver Star

This Silver Star is a beautiful numbered specimen from World War II, note the enamelled miniature buttonhole, journal pin and box.

Not all the Silver Stars were numbered, since only the first ones to be manufactured were numbered, many have the name engraved on the reverse and many others were left without engraving, in the following image you can see the Silver Star of Sergeant K. Rickie (WWII).