The
Silver Star is a
military award which is awarded "for distinguished
gallantry in action against an enemy of the
United States or while
serving with friendly forces against an opposing enemy force." It is the third highest award in the US military forces, and is awarded in all branches. The Silver Star is designated only for
heroism in
combat.
Established in
1918 as the
Citation Star, it was later redesignated in
1932 and was then allowed to be awarded
retroactively back to the
Spanish-American War for gallant actions.
The
ribbon is 1 3/8 inches wide, and is
symmetrical, with (in from the sides) 1/16 in. ultramarine stripe, 3/64 in. of white, 7/32 in. ultramarine stripe, 7/32 in. white stripe, and a center 7/32 in. stripe of red. The medal itself is shaped like a gold five-pointed. In the center of a wreath on that star is a 3/16 in.
diameter silver star. On the reverse are the words, "FOR GALLANTRY IN ACTION" in all caps.
Depending upon the
branch of the recipient, the awardee of multiple silver stars will not receive an extra
medal, but a bronze
cluster or star, or wears a silver cluster or star in lieu of five of the
bronze variant if so many should be attained.