Silver Star

SS - SILVER STAR 8455-00-269-5758

Eligibility Requirements

T he Silver Star, 6244 of reference (lll), United States Code (10 USC 6244 ), was established by Act of Congress August 7, 1942 (Public Law 702). Silver Star is awarded to a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who distinguishes himself/herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding service. For U.S. Military Personnel. To justify this decoration, the service rendered must have been comparable to that required for the Distinguished Service Medal but in a duty of lesser though considerable responsibility. In general, the Legion of Merit will be awarded to officers in lesser commands at sea or principal commands on shore who have performed such exceptionally meritorious service as to justify the award of the Distinguished Service Medal except as to degree of merit. However, this should not be interpreted to preclude the award of the Legion of Merit to any individual, regardless of grade or rate, whose acts or services meet the requirements. When the degree of achievement or service rendered, although meritorious, is not sufficient to warrant the award of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal or the Meritorious Service Medal should be considered.

Medal

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Precedence

The Silver Star Medal shall be placed in precedence after Distinguished Service Medal and before Defense Superior Service Medal .

Sample Citation

silver star medal citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

SILVER STAR MEDAL

FIRST LIEUTENANT JOHN L. DOE

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

F or conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as the Heavy Machine-Gun Platoon Commander and as the Officer in Charge of the Wolf Universal Fire Support Vehicle with 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 1st Marine Division from 24 to 27 February 1991. First Lieutenant Doe led his platoon, navigated for the Battalion, and controlled supporting arms well forward of the lead elements throughout Operation DESERT STORM. On 24 February 1991 at the second breach site, he maintained his forward exposed position, marking targets, suppressing the enemy with direct fire, and controlling artillery fires in spite of heavy in-direct fire which caused shrapnel damage to his vehicle. First Lieutenant Doe's superior actions reduced the enemies resistance to fight and allowed the breaching forces to move forward. During an Iraqi counter-attack on 25 February 1991, he exposed himself to enemy direct fire while providing suppressive fires to cover an anti-tank team, which was maneuvering to destroy an Iraqi T-62 tank. On the night of 26 February 1991, during an attack on Iraqi defenses around the Kuwait International Airport, First Lieutenant Doe returned through enemy positions, totally disregarding his personal safety, to guide separated elements of the unit back to the battalion position. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, First Lieutenant Doe reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions to the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

For the President, Secretary of the Navy