Hey, wanted to see if anyone might be able to help me with the following. We recently discovered that a relative of ours (he passed away in 2001) served in WWII and was awarded the Bronze Star during his service. We're trying to find out the circumstances around his being awarded this citation (i.e. what did he do to earn this medal?). Does anyone know where we can find this info? Here is the info that we have on him...

Calvin August Winn
S. Sgt. US Army
WWII
Birth: March 14, 1922
Death: June 4, 2001

Thanks.

You can try contacting the Military Personnel Records Center. Unfortunately, there was a huge fire in 1973 that destroyed a lot of records, so the citation probably no longer exists, but it's worth a shot.

www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/about-ompfs.html

This is very helpful, thanks so much for the great suggestions, much appreciated.

Unfortunately, there is no list. At the end of WWII the Bronze Star was handed out to soldiers like candy with no qualifications other than they were getting on the boat to come home. It was also retroactivly awarded to all infantrymen who earned the CIB several years after the war was over.

I am not saying this is the case of your relative, but the only place that you will be able to get the information you are looking for is his military service record. Lots of personel records from WWII were destroyed by fire in St. Louis in the 70's.

Thanks. I'm beginning to learn, as you stated, that this particular citation was awarded in significant numbers and there might not be any particular "event" behind it in our relative's case.

Of course, this does not diminish his, or any other veteran's experience and the significant sacrifice that each gave during their service, it's just nice to know the full story.

Thanks to you and everyone here who has contributed info and suggestions, we really appreciate it.

BS about Bronze Stars being handed out like candy !

quote:

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BS about Bronze Stars being handed out like candy !

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My Grandfather earned one. He was a company clerk in the 242nd infantry, 42nd ID. in WWII and never fired a shot. He was the one that told me that they were handed out like candy. I didn't make that up.

In recent years I have witnessed multiple Army/AirForce Officers being awarded Bronze Stars at the end of their deployments to Iraq and Afghansitan just for managing construction contracts. Some never even left the wire.

The Bronze Star I pay attention to is the one with "V" device. A young Lt. that grew up next door to my parents earned one 4 Sept 2009 in Afghanistan. He is buried in the State Cemetary in Austin.

I apologize if I have offended. I do not wish to denigrate anyone's service to the country.

[This message has been edited by Rabid Cougar (edited 4/10/2014 2:08p).]

CC, sorry you may not be able to secure a citation. Perhaps the following will assist in determining some of the circumstances of the award (GOOGLE).

The Bronze Star Medal was established by Executive Order 9419, 4 February 1944 (superseded by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, as amended by Executive Order 13286, 28 February 2003).[3]

The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded by the Secretary of a military department or the Secretary of Homeland Security with regard to the Coast Guard when not operating as a service in the Navy, or by such military commanders, or other appropriate officers as the Secretary concerned may designate, to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard of the United States, after 6 December 1941, distinguishes, or has distinguished, herself or himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight—

(a) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(b) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
(c) 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 acts of heroism are of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star. The acts of merit or acts of valor must be less than that required for the Legion of Merit but must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded only to service members in combat who are receiving imminent danger pay.

The Bronze Star Medal (without the "V" device) may be awarded to each member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 6 December 1941, was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat against an armed enemy between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. For this purpose, the US Army's Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge award is considered as a citation in orders. Documents executed since 4 August 1944 in connection with recommendations for the award of decorations of higher degree than the Bronze Star Medal cannot be used as the basis for an award under this paragraph.

Currently, I believe the differing services currently have other criteria for the 'V' device award or the meritorious award.

I suspect many of the discharged CIB recipients never applied for the award, I know of one who would have gotten an OLC in the deal.