Awards of the United States Army
From Left to Right: The Distinguished Service Cross, The Silver Star, The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star, The Purple Heart and The Air Medal
The Distinguished Service Cross
Second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross was instituted in July 1918 to recognize extraordinary heroism in combat. Per regulations, introduced in 1918 and amended in 1963, “It is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his comrades”. According to The Call of Duty, Military Awards and Decorations of the United States of America by LTC. John E. Strandberg and Roger James Bender, 6,481 Distinguished Service Cross awards were made in World War I, but only 4,696 in World War II.
The Silver Star
The Silver Star began as “Citation Star” for bravery in the First World War. A soldier had to be cited in General Orders where he was honored with the wearing of a small citation star on a ribbon device. The award was also typically represented an award document, rather than an actual, wearable award. It became an official medal in 1932 when it was essentially replaced by the Silver Star. The new medal was rendered to men, retroactively, who had distinguished themselves in World War I. Both the “Citation Star” and the Silver Star were awards for gallantry, but for actions less significant than for the award of the Distinguished Service Cross. The award was next awarded in significant numbers in World War II, where nearly 75,000 awards were made to the US Army.
The Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross was established in 1926 and, until World War II, was generally awarded to recognize aviation pioneers. During the Second World War, it was awarded in recognition of heroism or outstanding achievement in the air.
The Bronze Star
The Bronze Star was introduced in February 1944 for soldiers who distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement of service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. It held less significance than the Silver Star but in the context of valor, intended to recognize the constant danger and service of the front line soldier. In 1947, in recognition of the infantryman’s time on the ground and at the front, the Bronze Star was also awarded retroactively to all recipients of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge or Combat Medical Badge during the war.
The Purple Heart
The Purple Heart was first awarded in Newburgh, New York by George Washington in 1782 for Merit to a select handful of NCOs. It was reintroduced in 1932 to recognize those who had been wounded in the First World War. It was also made available veterans of pervious wars and, in all cases, was distributed only after application by veteran or family. Its awarding continued in the Second World War and, in 1942, it was specifically expanded to be rendered on a posthumous basis, and retroactive to all US Army personal killed since December 7, 1941. In most cases, awards made during the war to the wounded were issued unnamed, and additional awards were also unnamed but denoted by an oak leaf (an oak leaf for each additional wound) on the Purple Heart Ribbon. Posthumous awards, however, were typically government engraved. They were forwarded to the soldier’s next-of-kin along with an award document signed by the Secretary of War, along with a letter of condolence, or accolade, from the President of the United States.
The Air Medal
Established on May 11, 1942, the Air Medal was essentially created to protect the reputation and prestige of the Distinguished Flying Cross as the American airman saw increased levels of enemy action. The medal was awarded in recognition of repeated service or merit among air crews that saw regular time in the air. The medal could be awarded for meeting a minimum number of sorties or could be awarded repeatedly for continued meeting of its criteria of numerous sorties and/or service or merit in the air.
Second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross was instituted in July 1918 to recognize extraordinary heroism in combat. Per regulations, introduced in 1918 and amended in 1963, “It is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing Armed Force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his comrades”. According to The Call of Duty, Military Awards and Decorations of the United States of America by LTC. John E. Strandberg and Roger James Bender, 6,481 Distinguished Service Cross awards were made in World War I, but only 4,696 in World War II.
The Silver Star
The Silver Star began as “Citation Star” for bravery in the First World War. A soldier had to be cited in General Orders where he was honored with the wearing of a small citation star on a ribbon device. The award was also typically represented an award document, rather than an actual, wearable award. It became an official medal in 1932 when it was essentially replaced by the Silver Star. The new medal was rendered to men, retroactively, who had distinguished themselves in World War I. Both the “Citation Star” and the Silver Star were awards for gallantry, but for actions less significant than for the award of the Distinguished Service Cross. The award was next awarded in significant numbers in World War II, where nearly 75,000 awards were made to the US Army.
The Distinguished Flying Cross
The Distinguished Flying Cross was established in 1926 and, until World War II, was generally awarded to recognize aviation pioneers. During the Second World War, it was awarded in recognition of heroism or outstanding achievement in the air.
The Bronze Star
The Bronze Star was introduced in February 1944 for soldiers who distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement of service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. It held less significance than the Silver Star but in the context of valor, intended to recognize the constant danger and service of the front line soldier. In 1947, in recognition of the infantryman’s time on the ground and at the front, the Bronze Star was also awarded retroactively to all recipients of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge or Combat Medical Badge during the war.
The Purple Heart
The Purple Heart was first awarded in Newburgh, New York by George Washington in 1782 for Merit to a select handful of NCOs. It was reintroduced in 1932 to recognize those who had been wounded in the First World War. It was also made available veterans of pervious wars and, in all cases, was distributed only after application by veteran or family. Its awarding continued in the Second World War and, in 1942, it was specifically expanded to be rendered on a posthumous basis, and retroactive to all US Army personal killed since December 7, 1941. In most cases, awards made during the war to the wounded were issued unnamed, and additional awards were also unnamed but denoted by an oak leaf (an oak leaf for each additional wound) on the Purple Heart Ribbon. Posthumous awards, however, were typically government engraved. They were forwarded to the soldier’s next-of-kin along with an award document signed by the Secretary of War, along with a letter of condolence, or accolade, from the President of the United States.
The Air Medal
Established on May 11, 1942, the Air Medal was essentially created to protect the reputation and prestige of the Distinguished Flying Cross as the American airman saw increased levels of enemy action. The medal was awarded in recognition of repeated service or merit among air crews that saw regular time in the air. The medal could be awarded for meeting a minimum number of sorties or could be awarded repeatedly for continued meeting of its criteria of numerous sorties and/or service or merit in the air.
Major General Robert W. Grow was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, per General Orders dated March 18, 1945, in recognition of his command of 6th Armored Division during the push through eastern France in late 1944.
His citation reads…. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major General Robert W. Grow (ASN: 0-4621), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding General of the 6th Armored Division, in action against enemy forces in France, from 10 November 1944 to 22 November 1944. General Grow, while commanding the 6th Armored Division in the Nied and Saar River operations, repeatedly demonstrated a superior degree of personal courage and leadership which inspired his troops to press successfully and relentlessly against the enemy. In the vicinity of Han-sur-Nied, Gros-Tenquin and St. Jean-Rohrdach, with utter disregard for his own safety, he personally directed difficult operations which resulted in the reduction of those strong points. Many times when his troops encountered exceptionally strong enemy resistance, General Grow personally led forward elements under heavy fire to the successful completion of their missions. General Grow's conspicuous heroism, fearless leadership, and loyal, courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 6th Armored Division, and the United States Army.
He is shown here in an international press photo (US Army Signal Corps), with Major General Walton H. Walker, commander of XX Corps (3rd Army) in Germany, April 1945.
He is shown here in an international press photo (US Army Signal Corps), with Major General Walton H. Walker, commander of XX Corps (3rd Army) in Germany, April 1945.
