Valor device
| Valor device | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Military ribbon and medal device |
| Status | Authorized |
The "V" or "valor" device (also known and used as the Combat Distinguishing Device and Combat "V") is one of the tiny devices attached to certain ribbons and medals of the United States Armed Forces to give a military award extra meaning.
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[edit] Criteria
The "V" (valor) Device is worn to denote personal valor (combat heroism) in combat with an armed enemy of the United States. The Department of the Navy also uses the "V" device as a "combat distinguishing device" to recognize individuals who are exposed to personal hazard involving direct participation in combat operations.
It may also denote an accomplishment of a heroic nature in direct support of operations against an enemy force.[1]In all cases, the "V" device may be worn if specifically authorized in the citation. In the case of multiple "V" devices for the same award, only one "V" device is worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal. When worn with oak-leaf clusters, the "V" device is worn to the wearer's right of the clusters. The "V" device is authorized for wear on the following:
- Legion of Merit (LOM) (Navy and Marine Corps only)
- Distinguished Flying Cross (Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force only)
- Bronze Star Medal (BSM)
- Air Medal (AM)
- Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM)
- Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM)
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Coast Guard Commendation Medal
- Army Achievement Medal (AAM)
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- Coast Guard Achievement Medal
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- Air Force Organizational Excellance Award
Note: Devices are not authorized on Legion of Merit medals to foreign military personnel.
[edit] History
The "V" Device is a bronze block letter, V, 1/4 inch high with serifs at the top of the two sides of the V. It was authorized in 1944 and first worn starting in 1945 on only on the suspension and service ribbon of the Bronze Star Medal ("Bronze Star") to denote an award for valor.
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 an unauthorized "valor" device. Boorda had placed "valor" devices on his uniform's Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal ribbon bars for his service during the Vietnam War as an afloat Commanding Officer. Although some indications were that Boorda was authorized to wear the the 'V', the Board For Correction Of Naval Records ultimately determined that he was not.[2]
[edit] Notable recipients
- Daniel Brandenstein
- William B. Caldwell, III
- Ray Davis
- Michael Fahey
- Tommy Franks
- William J. Gainey
- Joseph L. Galloway
- William Guarnere
- David H. Hackworth
- Michael Hagee
- Alexander Haig
- Ira Hayes
- Joseph P. Hoar
- Robert L. Howard
- Richard Jadick
- Charles C. Krulak
- Douglas MacArthur
- John McCain
- Richard Marcinko
- Michael A. Monsoor
- Audie Murphy
- John P. Murtha
- Raymond L. Murray
- Peter Pace
- Chance Phelps
- Chesty Puller
- Charles B. Rangel
- L. Scott Rice
- Matthew Ridgway
- John Ripley
- Norman Schwarzkopf
- Sidney Shachnow
- Hugh Shelton
- Jamie Smith
- Robert L. Stewart
- Jeff Struecker
- Oliver Stone
- Strom Thurmond
- Allen West
- Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
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