PLEASE FOLLOW OUR E BAY STORE. SALE SEE OUR STORE. PLEASE READ WHOLE ADD. We do not want your feed back. We want your repeat business. We get that by posting new items at a fair price. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This article is about the US military award. For the campaign attachment, see service star. For the Canadian life saving award, see Royal Life Saving Society Canada. “Bronze Star” redirects here. Not to be confused with Bronze Award. “Heroic or meritorious achievement or service”. Department of the Army. Department of the Navy. Department of the Air Force. Department of Homeland Security. Army, Air Force, and Space Force – “V” device. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard – Combat “V”. 4 February 1944 superseded by E. 4 February 1944 (retroactive through 7 December 1941). (above) – Reverse side of star (below). Army: Soldier’s Medal. Naval Service: Navy and Marine Corps Medal. Air and Space Forces: Airman’s Medal. Coast Guard: Coast Guard Medal. The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration. Awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces. For either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. When the medal is awarded by the Army. For acts of valor in combat, the “V” device. Is authorized for wear on the medal. When the medal is awarded by the Navy. For acts of valor or meritorious service in combat, the Combat “V”. Officers from the other Uniformed Services of the United States. Are eligible to receive this award, as are foreign soldiers who have served with or alongside a service branch of the United States Armed Forces. Civilians serving with U. Military forces in combat are also eligible for the award. Was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device for actions during the Vietnam War. Specifically rescuing a badly wounded soldier under fire in the Battle of Ia Drang. Another civilian recipient was writer Ernest Hemingway. The Bronze Star Medal was established by Executive Order. 9419, 4 February 1944 (superseded by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, as amended by Executive Order 13286, 28 February 2003). The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded by the Secretary of a military department or the Secretary of Homeland Security. With regard to the Coast Guard. When not operating as a service in the Department of the Navy. Or by such military commanders, or other appropriate officers as the Secretary concerned may designate, to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army. Of the United States, after 6 December 1941, distinguishes, or has distinguished, herself or himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight. (a) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. (b) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or. (c) 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 acts of heroism are of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star. The acts of merit or acts of valor must be less than that required for the Legion of Merit. But must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction. The Bronze Star Medal (without the “V” device) may be awarded to each member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 6 December 1941, was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat against an armed enemy between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. For this purpose, the US Army’s Combat Infantryman Badge. Or Combat Medical Badge. Award is considered as a citation in orders. Documents executed since 4 August 1944 in connection with recommendations for the award of decorations of higher degree than the Bronze Star Medal cannot be used as the basis for an award under this paragraph. Effective 11 September 2001, the Meritorious Service Medal. May also be bestowed in lieu of the Bronze Star Medal (without Combat “V” device) for meritorious achievement in a designated combat theater. Navy officer submarine badge in gold. Navy silver submarine badge for enlisted personnel. The Submarine Warfare Insignia (usually known as’”Dolphins”‘) are worn by qualified submariners. Officers and Enlisted Sailors wear a. To indicate that they are qualified in submarines. The Submarine Warfare Insignia is considered one of the Navy’s three major enlisted warfare pins. Along with the Surface Warfare Badge. And the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist insignia. To earn the right to wear “fish” or “dolphins”, prospective submariners complete an extensive qualification process that lasts about one year (for both enlisted and officers, though the two programs differ significantly) and covers all of the submarine’s systems. On 13 June 1923, Captain Ernest J. Commander, Submarine Division Three later Fleet Admiral. And Chief of Naval Operations. During World War II. , suggested to the Secretary of the Navy. (Bureau of Navigation) that a distinguishing device for qualified submariners be adopted. He submitted a pen-and-ink sketch of his own showing a shield mounted on the beam ends of a submarine, with dolphins forward of, and abaft, the conning tower. The suggestion was strongly endorsed by Commander Submarine Division Atlantic. Over the next several months the Bureau of Navigation now known as BUPERS. Solicited additional designs from several sources. Some combined a submarine with a shark motif. Others showed submarines and dolphins, and still others used a shield design. A Philadelphia firm, which had done work for the Navy in the field of United States Naval Academy. Class rings, was approached by the Bureau of Navigation with the request that it design a suitable badge. Two designs were submitted by the firm, but these were ultimately combined into a single design. It was a bow view of a submarine, proceeding on the surface, with bow planes rigged for diving, flanked by dolphins (in the form of artistically stylized heraldic dolphins), in a horizontal position with their heads resting on the upper edge of the bow planes. Today a similar design is used: two Mahi-mahi. Commonly known as dolphin fish, flanking the bow and conning tower of a submarine. On 20 March 1924, the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation recommended to the Secretary of the Navy that the design be adopted. The recommendation was accepted by Theodore Roosevelt Jr. Acting Secretary of the Navy. Originally, the submarine insignia was to be worn by officers and men qualified in submarine duty only when attached to submarine units or submarine command organizations. The right to wear the pin was revoked if the service member transferred to a non-submarine billet. In 1941 the Uniform Regulations were modified to permit a service member to wear the submarine insignia for the duration of his career, once so authorized. The officers’ insignia was at first a bronze, gold-plated metal pin, worn centered above the left breast pocket and above the ribbons and medals. Enlisted men wore an embroidered insignia sewn on the outside of the right sleeve, midway between the wrist and elbow. The device was two and three-quarters inches long, embroidered in white silk for blue clothing and vice versa. In 1943, the Uniform Regulations were modified to provide that. Enlisted men, who are qualified and subsequently promoted to commissioned or warrant ranks, may wear enlisted submarine insignia on the left breast until they qualify as submarine officers, at which time this insignia would be replaced by the officers’ submarine pin. In mid-1947, the embroidered device shifted from the sleeve of the enlisted men’s jumper to above the left breast pocket. A change to the Uniform Regulations dated 21 September 1950 authorized the embroidered insignia for officers (in addition to the pin-on insignia) and a bronze, silver-plated, pin-on insignia for enlisted men (in addition to the embroidered device). Over the years a number of minor design variations, particularly in the appearance of the bow waves, have occurred. Various unofficial or commemorative badges based on the device have also been made, and may have occasionally been worn with the tacit approval of local naval authorities. The 1971 diesel boats forever. Pin would be an example of this type. In the modern Navy, the submarine pin is either a silver or gold chest pin, worn above all ribbons unless a second superseding qualification has been achieved in which case the submarine pin is worn below ribbons on the breast pocket. An embroidered patch, rather than the pin, is worn above the left breast pocket of working uniforms. Basic enlisted submarine qualifications. This enlisted submarine qualification booklet-”qual card”-was completed during the Cold War. Upon reporting to their first submarine. The unqualified submarine sailor completes a few days of education and is then assigned a Qualification Card, a qualification due date, and a command sponsor (informally known as Sea Dad or Sea Mom). The assigned sponsor monitors the non-qual’s (qualifier’s) progress during the qualification process and their adaptation to life aboard the boat. No one is exempted from the qualification process and no concessions are made to rank or rate. Although submarine qualification methodology has changed throughout the decades, the basic goal has remained: 1 to provide the submarine sailor with a basic knowledge of all systems on board, their uses, operations, and interrelationships with other systems and 2 to ensure all personnel can operate effectively under pressure in shipboard situations. Submarine damage control techniques are stressed throughout the qualification process. Progress is tracked by a First Class Petty Officer. Each item on the qualification card is worth a specified number of points; unqualified sailors must obtain a predetermined number of points per week. Failure to achieve the required number results in placement on a “delinquent list” and the assignment of additional study, monitored by their sponsor. Each system signature is weighted. And each phase has a maximum number of points. The qualifications process aboard the boat uses publications, training videos, computer programs and hands-on training with qualified personnel, but the principal focus is on the actual operation of the damage control, atmosphere control, weapons, countermeasures, reactor, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic systems on that particular submarine. Once the qualifying sailor feels he or she has the requisite knowledge for the system they will ask a designated Qualification Petty Officer (QPO – an expert on the system in question) for a “checkout”. The QPO will ask prepared questions concerning the system. They can also ask the sailor to draw a line diagram. And explain the system in various states and configurations. If the QPO feels the sailor has met their expectations, they will sign the sailor’s card and those points will be included in the sailor’s weekly point count. If the QPO is not satisfied with the sailor’s knowledge level, they will be dismissed to study further and return once the required knowledge threshold has been met. The qualification structure can be broken down into phases. The example listed below is only a basic guide and is not the rule for all submarines. For most phases of qualification, knowledge of basic rather than elaborate equipment operations is required, with the exception of damage control equipment and procedures. Among the most important goals of submarine qualification is providing each member of the crew, regardless of designated specialty or task, with the training to combat emergencies anywhere on the submarine. In case of fire, flooding, or other casualty, each submarine sailor must be confident that they can trust the sailor next to them to know the purpose, location, and proper use of each item of damage control equipment, as well as the location and operation of isolations for each electrical/air/hydraulic system. Damage Control Phase: This phase emphasizes the construction and support systems for the specific submarine to which the sailor is assigned. Damage Control equipment location and proper utilization is stressed. Primary and Auxiliary Propulsion Equipment. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. Sea Water and Ballasting Systems. Chemical Holding and Treatment (sanitation and waste water). Electronic Equipment and Navigation. Electronic Sensor Monitoring Systems. Torpedo and Tactical Missile Fire Control Systems. Ballistic Missile Fire Control Systems SSBN. External Countermeasure Systems and Launchers. Block Reviews and Walkthroughs. Each phase (or “block”) of the qualification card has an overall “block review” where the qualifier ties in all the phase’s systems and is verbally tested for their level of knowledge. After completion of all blocks, the qualifier must complete compartment walkthroughs, where a senior, qualified sailor quizzes the qualifier as they walk through the submarine. If all walkthroughs are completed successfully, the qualifier’s chain of command recommends that they be examined by a qualification board. This is the most dreaded part of the new qualifier’s qualification process. The board is made up of a submarine-qualified officer, a chief petty officer. And a petty officer. Submarine damage control is the biggest factor discussed during the board. During the board, the examinee may be asked to draw and explain any of the systems they have learned about during the qualification process. After the board the examinee is dismissed and evaluated by the members of the board. If the examinee passes the board, they are then recommended for qualification to the commanding officer of the submarine. Some boats have implemented an idea requiring the qualifier to perform on their feet, called a “Snapshot Board”. Qualified personnel set simulations for the qualifier to treat as a real casualty. They have to make initial emergency report then lead the fight against the casualty. This type of board was formed to assure the qualifier has practical knowledge, not just “book smarts”. The commanding officer reviews the board’s recommendation, and, upon concurrence, the newly qualified individual is presented their “Dolphins” by the skipper and designated as “Qualified in Submarines”. The Dolphins presentation is considered an important event as it means the newly qualified submariner will be treated as a full member of the submarine crew. Although not condoned by senior supervisory personnel, the tradition of “tacking on” the decoration, whereby other qualified sailors punch the dolphin badge while worn on the newly qualified sailors breast is a time-honored tradition, done in much the same way as “tacking on” the decoration of newly promoted 3rd Class Petty Officers. Appropriate annotations are made in the new submariner’s service jacket to reflect qualification. Submarine qualified personnel are designated “SS” after the rate, such as STS1(SS) or MMN2(SS). The “SS” stands for submarine specialist. After the sailor is designated “Qualified in Submarines”, they are treated with a greater amount of respect and given more responsibility. They are required to continually qualify in areas other than their primary duty. This is to ensure in-depth cross-training is accomplished. This process continues throughout a submarine sailor’s tour. In addition to the basic submarine qualification process and their requirement to qualify in their most senior in-rate watch station. This qualification is normally completed by a walkthrough check with a senior qualified member of their chain of command or a submarine-qualified officer. In principle, the officer submarine qualifications are very similar to the enlisted submarine qualifications – they are designed to ensure that each junior officer has a basic level of knowledge of all the major systems on board the boat, and is capable of performing damage control efforts throughout the submarine. However, the Officer Qualification goes well beyond the basics of system knowledge and damage control that are required for enlisted personnel. The newly reported junior officer (JO) starts with smaller qualifications, including “Basic Engineering Qualifications”, Battery Charging Line-up Officer, Rig for Dive Officer and Periscope Operator. These initial qualifications enable the JO to support their fellow officers by performing important (but tedious and sometimes time-intensive) tasks. While the various qualification cards that compose the officer’s qualification package are usually pursued in parallel, the focus for the first few months aboard is decidedly engineering. After having completed a year of nuclear power training, the new JO will learn the engineering systems of their new submarine and qualify as Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW) and Engineering Duty Officer (EDO). These are, respectively, the underway and in-port watch stations ultimately responsible for the supervision, maintenance, and safe operation of the submarine’s nuclear power plant and associated engineering systems. With EOOW and EDO under their belt, the JO can pursue tactical (or “forward”) qualifications. First comes Contact Manager, the officer or senior enlisted who assists the Officer of the Deck. (OOD) track other vessels and maintain safe navigation surfaced or submerged. Upon completion of EOOW and DOOW, the JO has acquired most of the systems knowledge and will focus on their tactical development. The OOD qualification is actually two qualifications, one for when the submarine is surfaced and one for when it is submerged. They are at all times the direct representative of the submarine’s commanding officer, acting on their behalf whether it be tactical employment or in-port force protection. As with the enlisted qualifications, upon completion of their Qualification Card, the junior officer must complete a Qualification Board, although by this point they have already stood half a dozen qualification boards for their subordinate qualifications. In an officer’s case, the board is led by the commanding officer. If the junior officer passes their Qualification Board, the commanding officer recommends to the squadron commodore (a post-command officer) that the junior officer be qualified in submarines.
