(Via Milinet)
European Stars and Stripes
June 18, 2000
Bronze Stars Awarded Correctly
Your series on the Bronze Star medals (June 4-5) grossly misled
your
readers. These medals were awarded according to established
guidelines to people who deserved them.
The Air Force used a fair and equitable process with standards
established by Executive Order 11046 and Department of Defense
directives. These standards - which do not limit award of the
Bronze
Star to a specific geographic area - were applied consistently
by a
board comprised of combat leaders.
The executive order and regulation governing the award of the
Bronze
Star have always allowed us the flexibility to recognize heroic
or
meritorious service regardless of geographic location. The
executive
order says the Bronze Star may be awarded to any person serving
with
the armed forces who "distinguishes, or has distinguished,
himself by
heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving
participation in aerial flight - while engaged in action against
an
enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations
involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while
serving
with foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an
opposing
armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent
party."
In fact, awarding the Bronze Start medal without a combat "V"
device
to deserving warriors outside the immediate combat zone is not
unprecedented. During the Korean War, personnel stationed on
Okinawa
were awarded the Bronze Star for "meritorious service in
connection
with military operations against Northern Korea."
As the Air Force developed a global reach during the Cold War,
an
ever-increasing number of airmen were called upon to "engage in
military operations involving combat," even though they were
located
thousands of miles from the shooting. During the Vietnam War, a
number of airmen stationed on Guam were awarded the Bronze Star
for
their role in supporting B-52 operations over Southeast Asia.
What is most important is not the servicemember's location, it
is his
or her meritorious service in direct support of combat
operations.
For Kosovo operations, air power missions originated from as far
away
as Whiteman AFB, Mo., Germany, Spain and England.
Servicemen and women, regardless of their location, who provided
direct support to Kosovo combat operations, were eligible for
and
deserving of recognition for their valuable contributions to the
war-fighting effort. The Bronze Star has always been one of the
awards authorized for such personnel. The Air Force carefully
followed all Bronze Star award guidance and our decisions to
present
it to Operation Allied Force participants were completely
consistent
with how this medal has been awarded throughout history.
Lt. Gen. Michael C. Short, Commander, 16th Air Force
Editor's Note: The series referred to appeared in the Current
News
Early Bird, June 6, 2000.
--------------------
European Stars and Stripes
June 18, 2000
<bold><bigger>Bronze Stars Awarded Correctly
</bigger></bold>Your series on the Bronze Star medals (June 4-5)
grossly misled your readers. These medals were awarded according
to
established guidelines to people who deserved them.
The Air Force used a fair and equitable process with standards
established by Executive Order 11046 and Department of Defense
directives. These standards - which do not limit award of the
Bronze
Star to a specific geographic area - were applied consistently
by a
board comprised of combat leaders.
The executive order and regulation governing the award of the
Bronze
Star have always allowed us the flexibility to recognize heroic
or
meritorious service regardless of geographic location. The
executive
order says the Bronze Star may be awarded to any person serving
with
the armed forces who "distinguishes, or has distinguished,
himself by
heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving
participation in aerial flight - while engaged in action against
an
enemy of the United States; while engaged in military operations
involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while
serving
with foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an
opposing
armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent
party."
In fact, awarding the Bronze Start medal without a combat "V"
device to
deserving warriors outside the immediate combat zone is not
unprecedented. During the Korean War, personnel stationed on
Okinawa
were awarded the Bronze Star for "meritorious service in
connection
with military operations against Northern Korea."
As the Air Force developed a global reach during the Cold War,
an
ever-increasing number of airmen were called upon to "engage in
military operations involving combat," even though they were
located
thousands of miles from the shooting. During the Vietnam War, a
number
of airmen stationed on Guam were awarded the Bronze Star for
their role
in supporting B-52 operations over Southeast Asia.
What is most important is not the servicemember's location, it
is his
or her meritorious service in direct support of combat
operations. For
Kosovo operations, air power missions originated from as far
away as
Whiteman AFB, Mo., Germany, Spain and England.
Servicemen and women, regardless of their location, who provided
direct
support to Kosovo combat operations, were eligible for and
deserving of
recognition for their valuable contributions to the war-fighting
effort. The Bronze Star has always been one of the awards
authorized
for such personnel. The Air Force carefully followed all Bronze
Star
award guidance and our decisions to present it to Operation
Allied
Force participants were completely consistent with how this
medal has
been awarded throughout history.
Lt. Gen. Michael C. Short, Commander, 16th Air Force
Editor's Note: The series referred to appeared in the Current
News
Early Bird, June 6, 2000.
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