A tiny metal letter distinguishes life-threatening valor from meritorious service

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the hierarchy of military honors, a 1/4-inch capital letter "V" serves as a profound gatekeeper. It separates those who performed well from those who faced the fire. While many medals recognize achievement, the "V" device specifically marks the threshold of combat heroism.

Introduced by the U.S. Army on December 22, 1945, the "V" device was designed to distinguish the Bronze Star Medal awarded for acts of valor from those given for meritorious service. On 15 February 1946, the Navy Department adopted the name "Combat Distinguishing Device." Although the "V" device title is used by the Air Force, Army, and Department of Defense, the Coast Guard calls it the "Valor Device," whereas the Marine Corps and Navy employ the "Combat" label.

The criteria for the device have shifted significantly over decades. For the Army, it denotes participation in acts of heroism involving an armed enemy. For the Navy and Marine Corps, it can recognize individuals exposed to personal hazard during direct participation in combat. The Air Force additionally permits its use to signify being "placed in harm's way" throughout contingency deployment missions. In 2016, the Department of Defense began a move to revert the device to its original 1940s use: denoting heroism in combat only on specific decorations.

The device's history is marked by strict regulations and occasional controversy. In 1996, the suicide of Admiral Jeremy Boorda drew national attention when it was discovered he wore two "combat valor pins" on medals that the Navy Board for Correction of Naval Records later determined were not authorized for such devices. Furthermore, the rules for the Medal of Honor were updated in 2011 and 2015; while the "V" was briefly considered to denote a second award, the DoD now specifies that a separate medal is presented for each succeeding act of heroism.

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