Valor device
Encyclopedia
The Valor device is an award
of the United States military
which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor. The device serves as a clarification for medals that are awarded for both valor (bravery in the face of the enemy), and merit (an extraordinary job under noncombat conditions).
An example of medals which are authorized the Valor device are the Bronze Star
, Commendation Medal
s, the Air Medal
, and certain unit awards. The "V" device is also awarded under certain circumstances to the Legion of Merit
and the military Achievement Medal
s depending on the branch of military service making the award.
Awards which are regularly bestowed for valor, such as the Medal of Honor
, Distinguished Service Cross
, Navy Cross
, Air Force Cross
and Silver Star
are never awarded with the Valor device since valor is indicated by the award itself.
The Valor device is worn as a single, one-time decoration only. While a service member may be cited for valor several times in a career, and be awarded numerous citations authorizing the valor device, no more than one valor device may be worn on the same decoration at any one time. Valor devices awarded for different decorations may be worn simultaneously so long as no more than one device is displayed on each particular award.
The Valor device may be worn on a decoration alongside other devices, particularly oak leaf clusters or stars indicating multiple awards. As an example, a serviceman who earns Bronze Star Medal
for service on two different occasions, and a BSM with Valor device on a third occasion, would wear the BSM with two oak leaf clusters and a "V." In such a case, the V is in the position of honor, on the viewer's left, its own right. (That is, inboard for awards on the left breast)
In 1996, the Valor device gained public attention after Admiral
Jeremy Boorda committed suicide
, media reports stated that the suicide was caused by an investigation into whether he had worn the Valor device without authority. Boorda had placed the Valor device on his Navy Commendation
and Navy Achievement Medal
s for services rendered during the Vietnam War
as an afloat Commanding Officer. Although some indications were that Boorda was authorized to wear them, the Board For Correction Of Naval Records ultimately determined that he was not.
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
of the United States military
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor. The device serves as a clarification for medals that are awarded for both valor (bravery in the face of the enemy), and merit (an extraordinary job under noncombat conditions).
Criteria
The Valor device denotes those individuals who were awarded a decoration in recognition of valorous act performed during direct combat with an enemy force. It may also denote an accomplishment of a heroic nature in direct support of operations against an enemy force. Generally, the Valor device is for specific heroic acts during or supporting direct combat with the enemy. The award must also be personally recommended by a superior and is not an automatic decoration or upgrade.An example of medals which are authorized the Valor device are the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, Commendation Medal
Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
s, the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, and certain unit awards. The "V" device is also awarded under certain circumstances to the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
and the military Achievement Medal
Achievement Medal
The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
s depending on the branch of military service making the award.
Awards which are regularly bestowed for valor, such as the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
, Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross (United States)
The Air Force Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. The Air Force Cross is the Air Force decoration equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross .The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism...
and Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
are never awarded with the Valor device since valor is indicated by the award itself.
The Valor device is worn as a single, one-time decoration only. While a service member may be cited for valor several times in a career, and be awarded numerous citations authorizing the valor device, no more than one valor device may be worn on the same decoration at any one time. Valor devices awarded for different decorations may be worn simultaneously so long as no more than one device is displayed on each particular award.
The Valor device may be worn on a decoration alongside other devices, particularly oak leaf clusters or stars indicating multiple awards. As an example, a serviceman who earns Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
for service on two different occasions, and a BSM with Valor device on a third occasion, would wear the BSM with two oak leaf clusters and a "V." In such a case, the V is in the position of honor, on the viewer's left, its own right. (That is, inboard for awards on the left breast)
History
The first Valor devices were authorized in 1944 as an attachment to the Bronze Star. Since then, the Valor device is authorized to medals which are awarded both for combat and non-combat actions. This is to distinguish those who were awarded a decoration through combat, compared to those who were awarded a medal for support roles or meritorious service.In 1996, the Valor device gained public attention after Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Jeremy Boorda committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
, media reports stated that the suicide was caused by an investigation into whether he had worn the Valor device without authority. Boorda had placed the Valor device on his Navy Commendation
Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
and Navy Achievement Medal
Achievement Medal
The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
s for services rendered during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
as an afloat Commanding Officer. Although some indications were that Boorda was authorized to wear them, the Board For Correction Of Naval Records ultimately determined that he was not.
Notable recipients
See also
- Awards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
- United States military award devicesUnited States military award devicesUnited States military award devices are attachments which may be worn on various awards and decorations of the United States military. Such attachments denote special upgrades to include bravery in combat, participation in a particular operation or service in a geographical area, or multiple...