Question on Bronze star medal

[Martin G]

I have come across a Bronze star medal with an oakleave device attached to the ribbon and two oakleave devices and a "V" device on the service ribbon bar. I ahve never seen something like that before. I wonder if the ribbon bar corresponds to the medal or not. The medal belongs to the Vietnam war. Thanks in advance.

[Martin G]

No comments, no thoughts on this Bronze Star medal? Nothing to say?

[Allan H.]

OK, I will play. Your medal appears to be WWII vintage, as it looks like it has a slot brooch. The army ordered thousands of these prior to the end of WWII and they were still issuing them well into Vietnam. I received a Bronze Star in Desert Storm that was newly made, and the pendant wouldn't stay on the ribbon because the top bar of the pendant wasn't long enough. My supply sergeant ordered a box of 50 bronze stars- he thought he was ordering campaign stars, what he got was WWII vintage medals in the Swank manufacturer's cardboard boxes. I traded mine out for one of those.

 

Moving on to the devices- an oak leaf cluster denotes a second award. The ribbon bar in the case shows a V for valor and a second oakleaf denoting a third award. Officially, the V is supposed to appear to the left of the oakleaves, but it is VERY common to see the V centered on the ribbons and oakleaves flanking the V like you see in your case.

 

Finally, the case that the medal is in is undoubtedly well post Vietnam. These dark grey pads came out in the early 1990's. The "pocket" on the pad was an even later addition that was put there to help keep the medal from sliding around in shipping.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Allan

[Martin G]

Thanks a lot, Allan, for your detailed explanation. Really appreciated.