- Established
- 1918 (as the Citation Star); medal from 1932
- Awarded by
- All services
- Criteria
- Gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
- Precedence
- #8 of 18 in this guide · below Distinguished Service Medals (Army, Navy, Air & Space Forces, Coast Guard) · above Defense Superior Service Medal
The Silver Star began in 1918 as a small silver “citation star” pinned to a campaign ribbon. In 1932 it was converted into a full medal, and holders of the older citation star could exchange it. It is the third-highest combat valor award for every branch.
From Wikipedia
The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
Excerpt from “Silver Star” on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Notable recipients
- Lyndon B. Johnson1908–1973 · World War II
- John McCain1936–2018 · Vietnam War
- Douglas MacArthur Medal of Honor too1880–1964 · Korean War
- John Kerry1943 · Vietnam War
- George Marshall1880–1959 · Philippine–American War
- Mohammed VI of Morocco1963
- George S. Patton1885–1945 · Mexican Border War
- Lloyd J. Austin III1953 · Iraq War
- Omar Bradley1893–1981 · Korean War
- John J. Pershing1860–1948 · Philippine–American War
- Chuck Yeager1923–2020 · World War II
- Chris Kyle1974–2013
- Charles Durning1923–2012 · World War II
- Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg1921–2019 · World War II
- Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.1934–2012 · Gulf War
Images: medal (Public domain); ribbon (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.
