What do Bronze Stars on a World War 2 theater ribbon mean?

Answer 1

Bronze Stars on a World War II Campaign RibbonEach bronze star on the ribbon of a campaign medal or ribbon bar represents a campaign that the wearer served in. When the wearer has been in five campaigns they turn in the four bronze stars & replace it with a silver star, silver represents five campaigns.

For example, three stars on an ETO ribbon would mean the veteran served in three campaigns in the European Theater of Operations.

The EAME or E.A.M.E. (European, African, Middle Eastern) Theater Ribbon was a way for the U.S. Military to recogize where a person served during WW 2. It was given to all who participated in the European, African and Mediterranean theatres.

As for the EAME ribbon itself, The colors of the ribbon have their own significance: the brown stripes on the outer edges represent the sands of the North African desert. The wide green stripes in the middle represent the forests of Europe. The narrow green white and red stripes on one side represent Italy and the narrow black and white stripes on the other side represent Germany. The narrow red white and blue stripes in the center represent the United States.

Bronze Stars worn upon it are Campaign Stars, NOT to be confused with the Bronze Star Award for Valour. The two CAMPAIGNS mentioned here are:

Rhineland: Sept. 14, 1944 - Mar. 21, 1945

Central Europe: Mar. 22 - May 8, 1945

For one example, a pilot might have these for piloting a B-17G based at Deenethorpe, England, on strategic bombing missions over Europe, Sept. 14, 1944 to V-E Day.

Campaign Medals (theater ribbons) are on page 3 of United States Army Service Medals

Note that you need to be careful on the internet. I just read that EAME stands for European/African/Mediteranean theater, but the ME really stands for Middle Eastern.

More input:

• My late husband, a Chief Gunners Mate, had 13 stars on this ribbon, and he told me that each star stood for a different campaign. In addition he had the following: American Defense; 1 star. Philippine Lib. 2 stars; World War II Victory Medal; American Area (Good Conduct Medal); Commendation Ribbons.

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Here is a quote from the US Army website.

A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service medals, ribbon awards, and certain military badges. Service stars are different from award stars, which are issued for multiple awards of meritorious and combat decorations. The United States military issues bronze and silver and gold service stars, with a silver service star issued "in lieu" of five bronze. For instance, six campaigns, served on a campaign medal, would be annotated by one silver and one bronze service star. In some situations, service stars are only issued after the second award of a decoration. For instance, three awards of a Sea Service Ribbon would be annotated by the ribbon with two bronze service stars. The United States Army also occasionally issues award numerals, instead of service stars, to denote multiple awards of certain ribbon decorations. In addition to award numerals, the United States Army uses the same Gold award star that is worn on many Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard decorations to denote the tenth and final award of the Army Sea Duty Ribbon. Service stars issued for actions in which a United States Navy vessel participated are also placed on campaign streamers, which are affixed to the U.S. Navy flag. The regulations for this originated in 1942, which defined naval campaign areas and designated engagements. Participation in such engagements, by ships and by individuals, was then denoted by service stars. The United States Army followed a very similar practice with ground campaigns and battle engagements. A common point of confusion is to confuse bronze and silver service stars with the Silver Star Medal and Bronze Star Medal. The main difference between the two is that the Bronze and Silver Star Medals are individual decorations while service stars are worn on awards and are not individual decorations or medals.

Answer 2

In general, the Bronze Star Medal was given for bravery in combat. However, many were issued to soldiers for their service even though they were not directly in combat. It was also issued to one civilian, Joe E. Brown, for entertaining the troops.

In 1947, the criteria was changed that awarded the BSM to any infantryman(excluding soldiers not classified as such) who fought in combat and earned the Combat Infantryman Badge. This was retroactive to service duing WW2.

Criteria:

a. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign 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.

b. Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.

c. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or meritorious service. The required achievement or service while of lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction.

Answer 3

The campaign ribbon for service in Europe is the European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. The ribbon for this medal is BROWN & GREEN with three sets of thin, tri-color stripes that represent each of the Axis countries in Europe. One: Green/White/Red is for Italy Two: Black/White/Black is for Germany Three: (Forgot what this is for)

Answer 4

The "tiny bronze stars" were awarded for battle participation.

Answer 5

Fought in 2 campaigns Italy and France