Introduction

Understanding the insignia and decorations awarded to naval service members can offer insight into their achievements, duty, and honor. Today, we delve into the specifics of how stars are used on naval ribbons and medals to denote multiple awards or campaigns. This guide is perfect for those seeking to understand the nuances of naval recognitions.

Which Navy Ribbons Get Stars?

Navy ribbons and medals come in various forms, each with its own purpose and significance. Two primary types of awards in the Navy—decorations and service medals—use stars to indicate special criteria. We will explore each type in detail to help you decode the intricate language of naval honors.

Decorations (Medals) That Use Stars

Decorations that are awarded individually and recognize individual achievements often include stars to indicate future awards of the same decoration. Here's a closer look at how these stars function:

1. Bronze Star

The Bronze Star Medal is conferred to recognize military merit, heroic achievement, or meritorious service under hazardous conditions. A star indicates that the recipient has been awarded a subsequent Bronze Star. The pattern is as follows:

First award: No star Second award: Single bronze star Third award: Single bronze star Fourth award: Single bronze star Fifth award onward: The star changes to gold (indicating a significant milestone)

This system ensures that each new award is recognized, but the progression of the star's value helps in distinguishing higher honors.

2. Navy Commendation Medal

The Navy Commendation Medal is given to personnel who perform meritorious acts of service in any situation that does not risk their lives. Similar to the Bronze Star, this medal also uses stars to denote multiple awards:

First award: No star Second award: Single bronze star Third award: Single bronze star Fourth award: Single bronze star Fifth award onward: Gold star

The use of stars here is straightforward, denoting successive honors and milestones.

Service Medals That Use Stars

Service medals differ from individual decorations as they recognize broader service or campaigns. Specifically, stars on these medals indicate the number of campaigns the recipient has served in for a particular conflict. Each campaign has a unique name and dates, and the units involved are recorded as well:

1. Vietnam Service Medal

As an example, the Vietnam Service Medal incorporates stars to denote the number of campaigns a naval officer or crew member participated in during the Vietnam War. Each starred ribbon corresponds to a different campaign, with the specific names and timelines indicated on the service record:

First campaign: No star Second campaign: Single star on the ribbon Third campaign: Single star on the ribbon Fourth campaign: Single star on the ribbon Fourth and beyond: Additional stars are added to the ribbon

Each star helps record the complexity and breadth of a sailor's service, providing a visual and numerical representation of their duty and sacrifice.

Visualizing the Nuances

To help visualize the differences, consider the following examples:

Bronze Star Example: A sailor who has received the Bronze Star twice would have a Bronze Star with a single bronze star. If they receive a third award, the star remains bronze. Upon the fourth award, the star changes to gold, indicating a significant milestone or recognition.

Vietnam Service Medal Example: A sailor involved in the Vietnam War who served in four different campaigns would have a Vietnam Service Medal with three stars. Additional stars would be added as the sailor participates in more campaigns.

Conclusion

Understanding the nuances of naval ribbons and their stars is essential for recognizing the achievements and sacrifices of our nation's heroes. Whether it's an individual's commendation for bravery or the considerable service in multiple campaigns, the stars on these ribbons hold a profound meaning and provide a clear, visual representation of their contributions.

Key Takeaways:

Stars on decorations like the Bronze Star and Navy Commendation Medal indicate multiple awards. Stars on service medals like the Vietnam Service Medal indicate the number of campaigns served in a conflict. The progression of star colors (bronze to gold) signifies the significance and milestones of each award.

By recognizing these subtle but meaningful details, we honor those who have served our nation with distinction and dedication.