Silver Star facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silver Star Medal |
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| Type | Personal Valor Decoration |
| Eligibility | United States Armed Forces personnel, foreign allied personnel and civilians serving alongside U.S. military personnel in combat |
| Awarded for | Gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States |
| Status | Currently awarded |
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| Established |
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| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Army: Distinguished Service Medal (Army) Naval Service: Navy Distinguished Service Medal Air and Space Forces: Distinguished Service Medal (Air and Space Forces) Coast Guard: Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal |
| Next (lower) | Defense Superior Service Medal |
 Service ribbon |
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The Silver Star Medal (often called SSM) is a very important military award in the United States Armed Forces. It is the third-highest award given for incredible bravery in battle. This medal is mostly given to members of the U.S. military for showing great courage when fighting against an enemy.
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History of the Silver Star Medal
The Silver Star Medal started as an award called the "Citation Star." This older award was created during World War I in 1918. It was a small silver star, about 3⁄16 of an inch wide.
In 1932, the "Citation Star" was changed into the Silver Star Medal. The original small silver star was placed right in the middle of the new medal.
Later, in 1942, laws were passed to officially create the Silver Star Medal for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. Today, all parts of the U.S. military, like the Air Force and Marine Corps, award this medal. Since 2016, the Department of Defense calls it the "Silver Star Medal."
What It Takes to Earn the Silver Star
The Silver Star Medal is given for acts of great bravery. This bravery must happen during a fight against an enemy of the United States. It can also be given during military operations where U.S. forces are fighting another country. Sometimes, it's awarded when U.S. forces help friendly foreign forces in a conflict.
The medal is for single acts of courage or heroism. This means brave actions that happen over a short time, like during one or two days of a battle.
Air Force and Navy pilots who become "aces" (meaning they shoot down five or more enemy aircraft) are often considered for this award. Becoming an ace means a pilot has risked their life many times in combat and won.
Team Awards for Bravery
Sometimes, entire military units are recognized for their bravery. These awards are similar to the Silver Star but are given to a group instead of one person:
- Air Force: Gallant Unit Citation
- Army: Valorous Unit Award
- Coast Guard: Coast Guard Unit Commendation
- Navy-Marine Corps: Navy Unit Commendation
How the Silver Star Looks
The Silver Star Medal is a gold five-pointed star. It is about 1+1⁄2 inches (38 mm) wide. Around the star, there is a laurel wreath with rays coming from the center. A smaller silver star, about 3⁄16 inch (4.8 mm) wide, is placed in the middle of the gold star.
On the back of the medal, it says FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION. This means "For Bravery in Action."
The ribbon for the medal is 1+3⁄8 inches (35 mm) wide. It has stripes of red, white, and blue colors.
More Awards for More Bravery
If someone earns the Silver Star Medal more than once, they don't get a new medal. Instead, they get small symbols to put on their ribbon.
- The Army and Air Force use bronze or silver oak leaf clusters.
- The Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard use gold or silver 5⁄16 inch stars.
Who Has Received the Silver Star?
It's hard to know the exact number, but experts believe that between 100,000 and 150,000 Silver Star Medals have been given out.
Some people have received the Silver Star many times. For example, Colonel David Hackworth earned ten Silver Stars during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur received seven Silver Stars for his service in World War I.
The Silver Star has also been awarded to civilians and even people from other countries who helped the U.S. military. For instance, Donald H. Russell, a civilian engineer, received it for his brave actions on a U.S. Navy ship during World War II. A Soviet Red Army officer, Alexei Voloshin, also received the award.
Brave Women Who Earned the Silver Star
Women have also shown incredible bravery and earned the Silver Star.
- In World War I, three Army nurses were recognized for their courage. They helped wounded soldiers while under heavy enemy fire in 1918. Their awards were officially given to them after they had passed away.
- During World War II, four Army nurses became the first women to officially receive the Silver Star. They were honored for bravely helping to evacuate a hospital in Italy in 1944.
- Later, Corporal Maggie Leones, a Filipino woman, received the medal for her secret activities during the war.
- More recently, in 2005, Army National Guard Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester earned the Silver Star for her bravery during an ambush in Iraq.
- In 2008, Army Specialist Monica Lin Brown received the medal for her amazing heroism as a combat medic in Afghanistan.
See also
In Spanish: Estrella de Plata para niños
- List of Australian Silver Star recipients
