Bronze Star Medal woes cause problems

SSG Cox: since 1964, the ARCOM has been an authorized combat decoration. If an individual received an ARCOM in Vietnam (or in the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Panama, Iraq, or Afghanistan), they in fact received a combat decoration. It might be informally called the “green weenie”, but it’s a authorized combat decoration informally called the green weenie.

Since the individuals were (presumably) infantry, the risk they faced in combat was recognized appropriately via their receipt of a CIB. If they were infantry and participated in at least one firefight as you describe, they rated one – and presumably received it.

“Equal risk” is not the basis for award of military decorations. Decorations are based on performance/contribution/impact of the individual’s actions – not on merely being at risk. If the latter were the case, by your logic the guy who stayed in his foxhole during every attack to stay safe would be entitled to the same decoration as one who moved about the battlefield checking on his troops and directing their actions every time. That’s nonsensical.

You really would IMO be best advised to simply let this one go. Your arguments here aren’t convincing anyone, and are frankly somewhat lacking in substance.

Life is not always fair.

DA decided long ago that the World War II BSM should be so awarded to all Infantrymen with a CIB. They didn’t ask my opinion before doing it. Bluntly: I’d have said no.

I’ve never been a fan of that decision. Blanket awards cheapen the meaning of an award. In particular, that action grossly cheapened the smaller number of BSMs that actually were awarded during World War II. When everybody gets something just for being there, it’s simply not worth as much.

Yeah, that made a number of World War II veterans happy. But IMO that was a case of DA “screwing the pooch”. By doing that, DA screwed over the smaller number of World War II veterans who had done something exceptional or meritorious and been recognized for same with a BSM sans-“V” device.

Decorations are designed to recognize outstanding performance, not participation or qualifications. We have campaign/expeditionary/service medals and badges to do the latter.

In any case, the CIB/BSM conversion was a one-time exception to policy. For over 60 years (e.g., since Korea), the BSM has been awarded independently from the CIB; the two are no longer connected. The CIB is a qualification badge showing service as an infantryman in an infantry unit during actual ground combat. The BSM is a personal decoration awarded for either heroism less than that required for the Silver Star, or for MSM-level performance of duties in a combat zone. They are thus two different items, designed to recognize two distinct and separate kinds of laudable effort.

For what it’s worth: an uncle of mine was awarded the Silver Star as an infantryman in Italy with the 82nd. He’d have rated the CIB, too. I don’t believe he ever applied for his BSM. Best I can recall, the only letters for decorations on his tombstone at Arlington are “SS” and “PH”.

SSG Cox: you are absolutely incorrect. And there’s no need to be rude by shouting (e.g. using ALL CAPS), either. The only Army personal decorations that are “peacetime only” are the AAM and the MSM. And since 2004, even those can now be awarded in a combat zone for service that can legitimately be characterized as “noncombat service”. See the latest edition of AR 600-8-22 and MILPER Awards Message 181 dated 2 Dec 2007. Conversely, the only Army personal decorations that are combat-specific are the BSM, Silver Star, DFC, and MOH. (I’m omitting discussion of the PH as it is a rather special case, as one is entitled to a PH for meeting certain criteria vice a decoration awarded by one’s chain-of-command; however, the PH is also combat-specific.) And of those, only the BSM may be awarded for either service, achievement, or specific act of valor. The other three (Silver Star, DFC, MOH) are awarded only for specific acts of combat valor. The ARCOM, Air Medal, DFC, Soldier’s Medal, LOM, and DSM are all dual-purpose decorations (e.g., wartime/peacetime). Each can be awarded for either wartime or peacetime actions (award of the Air Medal and DFC in peacetime is rare, but it is authorized). The ARCOM, Air Medal, and DFC can be awarded for either meritorious performance of duty or for acts of valor in either wartime or peacetime. The Soldier’s Medal is awarded in either peacetime or wartime for significant acts of noncombat heroism. While theoretically the LOM can theoretically be awarded for valor, it is generally awarded for exceptional service over a period of time in duties of great responsibility – either in combat, or during peacetime – or as a retirement award. The latter is true for the DSM as well. No later than 1964, the ARCOM became a dual peacetime/wartime decoration. Since that time (if not earlier, when it was broadened to allow award to members of foreign military for valor), it has been authorized for award to personnel for combat-zone service, achievement, or heroism. It is thus today a combat decoration as well as a peacetime… Read more »

SSG Cox: bull. The Soldier’s Medal is also awarded for heroism – but only for noncombat heroism.

It’s a free country, so you can consider whatever you like a “combat decoration”. You’ll be incorrect, but that’s your business.

However, the Army sees things very differently than you do. And it’s the Army’s opinion that matters – not yours or mine, or whether we agree. Because barring an Act of Congress, the Army – and DoD – are the ones who have final say.

I can only tell you what the Army regs and policy say on the matter; I can’t make you accept reality when you wish to remain in denial. So I’m done wasting my time here. Out.

Twist, MCPO: your call, gents – but I recommend you (and others) simply ignore future comments here. When someone’s mind is closed and they’re not willing to listen to fact, continuing to engage them in discussion is rather pointless.