Did You Know?
We design Docy for the readers, optimizing not for page views or engagement
We design Docy for the readers, optimizing not for page views or engagement
| “V” device | |
|---|---|
| Awarded byUnited States | |
| Type | Ribbon device |
| Awarded for | Heroism in combat[1] |
| Status | In use |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 22 December 1945 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (lower) | “C” device[2][3][4] |
A“V” deviceis a metal 1⁄4-inch (6.4 mm)capitalletter “V” with serifs which, when worn on certain decorations awarded by theUnited States Armed Forces, distinguishes an award for heroism or valor in combat instead of for meritorious service or achievement.[5]
| “V” device | |
|---|---|
| Awarded byUnited States | |
| Type | Ribbon device |
| Awarded for | Heroism in combat[1] |
| Status | In use |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 22 December 1945 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (lower) | “C” device[2][3][4] |
Etymology
TheDepartment of Defense,Army, andAir Forcerefer to the “V” as the “V” Device.[7][8]TheCoast Guardrefers to it as theValor Device,[9]while theNavyandMarine Corpsrefer to it as theCombat Distinguishing DeviceorCombat “V”.[10]When referring to a medal that has been awarded with the “V” device, it is often referred to as having been awarded “with valor”.
History
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps ribbon of the Achievement Medal with “V” device denoting combat bravery; the “V” device ceased being awarded with Achievement Medals in late 2016.
On 22 December 1945, in War Department Circular 383, the United States Army decided to introduce the “V” device to distinguish the award of aBronze Star Medalfor acts of valor and heroism rather than meritorious service.[11]Soldiers, includingArmy airmen, who were awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism in combat were now authorized to wear a bronze “V” on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal. Only one “V” was allowed to be worn on a ribbon. The Department of the Navy introduced the “V” as the “Combat Distinguishing Device”, and on 15 February 1946, authorized the “V” device to be worn on the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal for services or acts performed in actual combat with the enemy; in February 1947, this was changed to acts or services involving direct participation in combat operations. MostWorld War IIveterans who were entitled to the “V” probably did not know about or apply for the device, since large scale separations from the services were taking place after the war ended. Stocks of the device also were not available for issue for at least a year since the Army circular.[11]
To be worn on a decoration, the “V” device must have been specifically authorized in the written award citation issued with the medal. In 1996, the “V” device garnered public attention after thesuicideof Admiral Jeremy Boorda, who was the Chief of Naval Operations. The news media reported that his death by suicide may have been caused by a Navy investigation following a story byNewsweekabout Boorda wearing two “combat valor pins” on the service ribbons of his uniform, which he received for duty as a weapons officer and executive officer aboard two naval ships off the coast of Indochina during theVietnam War.[12]Although there were indications these “combat distinguishing devices” were authorized to be worn on hisNavy Commendation MedalandNavy Achievement Medal, the Department of the Navy Board For Correction of Naval Records determined after his death that both of the devices were not authorized to be worn on the two decorations.[13]
In 2011, the Department of Defense changed its awards manual regulations concerning the Medal of Honor, specifying that the “V” device instead of the oak leaf cluster and 5⁄16 inch star would be used to denote additional citations in the rare event of a service member being awarded a second MoH. By May 2015, the Department of Defense changed its awards manual again concerning the Medal of Honor, specifying that a separate MOH is presented to an individual for each succeeding act that justifies an award. There has not been a living repeat Medal of Honor recipient since theWorld War Iera, so the “V” device was never actually worn in this fashion.
Until 2017, the criteria and conditions under which the “V” device could be awarded differed among the services. For the Army, the “V” was worn solely to denote “participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy”.[7]For the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, the “V” could be worn to denote combat heroism, or to recognize individuals who were “exposed to personal hazard during direct participation in combat operations”.[14][10]For the Air Force, the “V” could be worn on theBronze Star Medalto denote heroism in combat, but also on the Commendation Medal and Achievement Medal to denote heroism or for being “placed in harm’s way” during contingency deployment operations.
Prior to 1 January 2014, the device was also authorized on Outstanding Unit Awards and Organizational Excellence Awards to indicate the unit participated in direct combat support actions.[8]The “V” device is also authorized for the Air Medal by all the services where heroism in aerial combat was involved on an individual mission. On 15 August 2016, the Coast Guard changed their criteria such that new awards of the “V” would be for valor only, to denote a heroic act or acts while participating in conflict or combat with an armed enemy.[9]On 6 January 2016, the Department of Defense announced that it was revising its military decorations and awards program to include a “V” device change to its original 1940s use of denoting heroism in combat only on specific decorations for the military services.[3][15]Two new “C” and “R” devices will also be used on relevant awards.[3][15]
Device changes
On 2 February 2017, new silver plated and gold plated “V” devices were introduced, followed by wreathed versions in September[5]which led to speculation that the various versions of the “V” device would now indicate how many times a specific medal was awarded with the “V.”[15]The U.S. Air Force uniform regulations update of 15 April 2019, was the first to describe and depict the new “V” devices as follows:[16]
Decorations eligible for the “V” device
Army and Air Force
|
Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for valor |
|
Bronze Star Medal, two awards, of which at least one was for valor |
|
|
Air Medal (Army), three awards, of which at least one was for valor (Army uses bronze award numerals) |
|
|
Air Medal (Air Force), three awards, of which at least one was for valor (Air Force uses oak leaf clusters) |
|
|
Air Force Commendation Medal, four awards, of which at least one was for valor |
|
Army Commendation Medal, nine awards, of which at least one was for valor |
|
|
Army Commendation Medal, ten awards, of which at least one was for valor |
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard
For the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, the “V” is always worn in the center of the service ribbon, while any gold or silver 5⁄16 Inch Stars are added in balance to the right and left of the “V” starting with the right side from the wearer’s perspective.[31][32][33]The Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard continue to award and issue the bronze version. The Marine Corps allows anodized medals and anodized Combat “V”s to be worn on the dress blues uniform.
 |
Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for valor |
  |
Bronze Star Medal, two awards, of which at least one was for valor |
  |
Air Medal, three awards, of which at least one was for valor (The gold award numeral 3 on the left denotes three individual awards of the Air Medal (only for Navy and Marine Corps)) |
|
Air Medal, three awards, of which at least one was for valor (Coast Guard uses award stars) |
  |
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, eight awards, of which at least one was for valor |
 |
Coast Guard Commendation Medal, five awards, of which at least one was for valor |
Combined with Arabic numerals
Golden or brass Arabic numerals may be used to indicate the total number of times the medal was awarded if the total number of devices, of any types, exceed 4 total devices and would thus not fit on a single ribbon.[34]
 |
Total of four awards, of which at least one was for valor |
 |
Total of five awards, of which at least one was for valor |
 |
Total of nine awards, of which at least one was for valor |
Notable recipients
See also
Citation Linkopenlibrary.orgFrom 1945 until 2 February 2017, criteria varied among the services for the award of a medal with the “V” device. While the Army awarded the “V” solely to denote “participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy,” the Navy and Marine Corps also awarded the “V” to recognize individuals who are “exposed to personal hazard during direct participation in combat operations”, and the Air Force included provisions for awarding the “V” to members who were “placed in harm’s way” during contingency deployment operations.
Citation Linkwww.defense.gov“DoD Military Decorations and Awards Review Results (1-36)” (PDF). Retrieved 10 January 2016.
Citation Linkwww.defense.govFerdinando, Lisa (7 January 2016). “Pentagon Announces Changes to Military Decorations and Awards Program”.DoD News. U.S. Department of Defense.
Citation Linkwww.dtic.mil“DOD MANUAL 1348.33, VOLUME 4 MANUAL OF MILITARY DECORATIONS AND AWARDS: DOD JOINT DECORATIONS AND AWARDS” (PDF). United States Department of Defense. 21 December 2016. p. 39. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
Citation Linkquicksearch.dla.mil“Ribbon Attachment, Letter ‘V'”.MIL-DTL-41819/3J. Defense Logistics Agency. Defense Logistics Agency. 2 February 2017.
Citation Linkwww.stripes.comBurgess, Lisa (26 October 2006). “Pentagon reviewing ‘V’ device for consistency”. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
Citation Linkwww.apd.army.mil“Army Regulation 600–8–22 Military Awards” (PDF). United States Army. 24 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
Citation Linkstatic.e-publishing.af.mil“AFI 36-2803 Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program” (PDF). 18 December 2013. p. 218. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
Citation Linkmedia.defense.gov“COMDTINST M1650.25E Medals and Awards Manual” (PDF). 15 August 2016. pp. 1–23. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
Citation Linkawards.navy.mil“SECNAVINST 1650.1H” (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
Citation Linkwww.omsa.org“The “V” Device” (PDF).
Citation Linkwww.newsweek.comNewsweek, “Beneath the Waves”, 5/26/96
Citation Linkboards.law.af.mil“Board for Correction of Naval Records” (PDF).
Citation Linkwww.dtic.mil“Department of Defense Manual 1348.33, Volume 3” (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. 23 November 2010. p. 53. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
Citation Linkblog.medalsofamerica.comDizzle, Kirk (16 March 2016). “New V, C and R devices”.DD214 Blog. Medals of America. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
Citation Linkstatic.e-publishing.af.milAFI36-2903: Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, dated 23 April 2019, last accessed 21 May 2019
Citation Linkwww.stripes.comDickstein, Corey (31 March 2017). “Pentagon implements ‘C’ and ‘R’ awards devices, removes ‘V’ from 2 awards”.Stars and Stripes. Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
Citation Linkwww.dtic.milLevine, Peter (21 December 2016). “Section 3: Award Requirements and Restrictions” (PDF).DoD Instruction 1348.33: DoD Military Decorations and Awards Program. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017. Includes Army Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Air Force Achievement Medal.
Citation Linkwww.stripes.comdeGrandpre, Andrew; Panzino, Charlsy (30 March 2017). “12 military awards now eligible for new ‘C’ and ‘R’ devices, and 2 no longer rate a ‘V'”.Military Times. Virginia. Retrieved 17 March 2018.Dickstein, Corey (31 March 2017). “Pentagon implements ‘C’ and ‘R’ awards devices, removes ‘V’ from 2 awards”.Stars and Stripes. Washington, D.C. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
Citation Linkwww.army.mil“New combat-related devices authorized for decorations”. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
Citation Linkwww.militarytimes.comPanzino, Andrew deGrandpre, Charlsy (8 August 2017). “12 military awards now eligible for new ‘C’ and ‘R’ devices, and 2 no longer rate a ‘V'”. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
Citation Linkwww.armytimes.comPanzino, Charlsy (7 August 2017). “Soldiers may be eligible for the new ‘C’ or ‘R’ devices on 12 awards. Here’s how to apply”. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
Citation Linkwww.hrc.army.mil“HRC Homepage”. 1 January 2018. Archived from the original on 1 January 2018.
Citation Linkwww.af.mil“AF releases criteria for new valor “V”, combat “C” and remote “R” devi”. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
Citation Linkwww.arpc.afrc.af.mil“Award Devices – Valor “V,” Combat “C” and Remote “R””. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
Citation Linkwww.armywtfmoments.comT6. “Army announces “C” and “R” medal devices because everybody needs a trophy – U.S Army WTF Moments!”.www.armywtfmoments.com.
Citation Linkwww.military.com“Sailors, Marines Now Eligible for New Award Devices”. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
Citation Linkwww.airforcetimes.comPanzino, Charlsy (7 August 2017). “Air Force releases awards criteria for new ‘C’ and ‘R’ devices”. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
Citation Linkwww.dtic.mil“DOD MANUAL 1348.33, VOLUME 4 MANUAL OF MILITARY DECORATIONS AND AWARDS: DOD JOINT DECORATIONS AND AWARDS” (PDF). United States Department of Defense. 21 December 2016. p. 23&27. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
Citation Linkwww.apd.army.mil“Department of the Army Pamphlet 670–1 Uniform and Insignia Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia” (PDF). United States Department of the Army. 25 May 2017. §20–11; p. 253; PDF p. 271. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
Citation Linkwww.med.navy.mil“CHAPTER FIVE IDENTIFICATION BADGES/AWARDS/INSIGNIA” (PDF).United States Navy Uniform Regulations. United States Navy, Bureau of Personnel. pp. 5–48. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
Citation Linkwww.uscg.mil“Uniform Regulations COMDTINST M1020.6G” (PDF). United States Coast Guard. March 2012. pp. 3–100, 3–104. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
Citation Linkwww.public.navy.mil“5. Bronze Letter “V” (Combat Distinguishing Device)”.Navy Personnel Command > Support & Services > US Navy Uniforms > Uniform Regulations > Chapter 5 > 5301 – 5319 Awards. January 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2017. The bronze letter “V” may be worn on the following ribbons if the citation specifically authorizes the “V” for valor (heroism): Decorations awarded prior to 1974: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal. Decorations awarded after 1974: Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal. Wear only one “V”. Arrange gold, bronze or silver stars, or the oak leaf cluster indicating subsequent awards of the medal (except Air Medal <(see article 5319.7)>, in a horizontal line beside the “V” symmetrically in the center of the suspension ribbons of large and miniature medals (position as detailed below). Arrange them in a horizontal line on the ribbon bar with the “V” in the center and the first star to the wearer’s right, the second to the wearer’s left, and so on.
Citation Linkwww.dtic.mil“DOD MANUAL 1348.33, VOLUME 4 MANUAL OF MILITARY DECORATIONS AND AWARDS: DOD JOINT DECORATIONS AND AWARDS” (PDF). United States Department of Defense. 21 December 2016. p. 39. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
Citation Linkwww.defense.gov“DoD Military Decorations and Awards Review Results (1-36)”
Citation Linkwww.defense.gov“Pentagon Announces Changes to Military Decorations and Awards Program”
Citation Linkwww.dtic.mil“DOD MANUAL 1348.33, VOLUME 4 MANUAL OF MILITARY DECORATIONS AND AWARDS: DOD JOINT DECORATIONS AND AWARDS”
Citation Linkquicksearch.dla.mil“Ribbon Attachment, Letter ‘V'”
Citation Linkwww.stripes.com“Pentagon reviewing ‘V’ device for consistency”
Citation Linkweb.archive.org“Army Regulation 600–8–22 Military Awards”
Citation Linkwww.apd.army.milthe original
Citation Linkweb.archive.org“AFI 36-2803 Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program”
Citation Linkstatic.e-publishing.af.milthe original
Citation Linkmedia.defense.gov“COMDTINST M1650.25E Medals and Awards Manual”
Citation Linkweb.archive.org“SECNAVINST 1650.1H”
Citation Linkawards.navy.milthe original
Citation Linkwww.omsa.org“The “V” Device”
Citation Linkwww.newsweek.comNewsweek, “Beneath the Waves”, 5/26/96
Citation Linkboards.law.af.mil“Board for Correction of Naval Records”
Citation Linkwww.webcitation.org“Department of Defense Manual 1348.33, Volume 3”
Citation Linkwww.dtic.milthe original
Citation Linkblog.medalsofamerica.com“New V, C and R devices”
Citation Linkstatic.e-publishing.af.milAFI36-2903: Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel
Citation Linkweb.archive.org“Pentagon implements ‘C’ and ‘R’ awards devices, removes ‘V’ from 2 awards”
Citation Linkwww.stripes.comthe original
Citation Linkweb.archive.org“Section 3: Award Requirements and Restrictions”
Citation Linkwww.dtic.milthe original
Citation Linkwww.militarytimes.com“12 military awards now eligible for new ‘C’ and ‘R’ devices, and 2 no longer rate a ‘V'”
Citation Linkwww.stripes.com“Pentagon implements ‘C’ and ‘R’ awards devices, removes ‘V’ from 2 awards”
Citation Linkwww.army.mil“New combat-related devices authorized for decorations”
Citation Linkwww.militarytimes.com“12 military awards now eligible for new ‘C’ and ‘R’ devices, and 2 no longer rate a ‘V'”
Citation Linkwww.armytimes.com“Soldiers may be eligible for the new ‘C’ or ‘R’ devices on 12 awards. Here’s how to apply”
Citation Linkarchive.is“HRC Homepage”
Citation Linkwww.hrc.army.milthe original
Citation Linkwww.af.mil“AF releases criteria for new valor “V”, combat “C” and remote “R” devi”
Citation Linkwww.arpc.afrc.af.mil“Award Devices – Valor “V,” Combat “C” and Remote “R””
Citation Linkwww.armywtfmoments.com“Army announces “C” and “R” medal devices because everybody needs a trophy – U.S Army WTF Moments!”
Citation Linkwww.military.com“Sailors, Marines Now Eligible for New Award Devices”
Citation Linkwww.airforcetimes.com“Air Force releases awards criteria for new ‘C’ and ‘R’ devices”
Citation Linkwww.dtic.mil“DOD MANUAL 1348.33, VOLUME 4 MANUAL OF MILITARY DECORATIONS AND AWARDS: DOD JOINT DECORATIONS AND AWARDS”
Citation Linkweb.archive.org“Department of the Army Pamphlet 670–1 Uniform and Insignia Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia”
Citation Linkwww.apd.army.milthe original
Citation Linkweb.archive.org“CHAPTER FIVE IDENTIFICATION BADGES/AWARDS/INSIGNIA”
Citation Linkwww.med.navy.milthe original
Citation Linkwww.uscg.mil“Uniform Regulations COMDTINST M1020.6G”
Citation Linkwww.public.navy.mil“5. Bronze Letter “V” (Combat Distinguishing Device)”
Citation Linkwww.dtic.mil“DOD MANUAL 1348.33, VOLUME 4 MANUAL OF MILITARY DECORATIONS AND AWARDS: DOD JOINT DECORATIONS AND AWARDS”
Citation Linkupload.wikimedia.orgBronze “V” device for first award (standard device for the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force before December 2016)
Citation Linkupload.wikimedia.orgSilver “V” device for second award
Citation Linkupload.wikimedia.orgGold “V” device for third award (standard device for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps before December 2016)
Citation Linkupload.wikimedia.orgBronze “V” with wreath device for fourth award
Citation Linkupload.wikimedia.orgSilver “V” with wreath device for fifth award
Citation Linkupload.wikimedia.orgGold “V” with wreath device for sixth award
Citation Linken.wikipedia.orgThe original version of this page is from Wikipedia, you can edit the page right here on Everipedia.Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Additional terms may apply.See everipedia.org/everipedia-termsfor further details.Images/media credited individually (click the icon for details).
