republic-os/legal/us/code/title-10/chapter-837/section-8294.md

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LegalText	10 U.S.C. § 8294	Silver star medal	us	united_states_code	code_section	10	ARMED FORCES	837	DECORATIONS AND AWARDS	8294	10 U.S.C. § 8294	current	119-100	2026-06-26	official	https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc10@119-100.zip	/us/usc/t10/s8294	data/legal/raw/us/code/title-10/usc10.xml	eacaeb6b55182fe279acc2a05d9143d8fc609942a207b2cee9967a6ed013d76a	06a2679d38355c44f4219c983fdad34009233205d6ba271593a4c1b17a739ec1	67da81805735d0ec4fb0b3b6614a4f0d94ec0e2e7c06891cfab6c43046c6023f	2026-07-04	official	legal us-code

10 U.S.C. § 8294 - Silver star medal

Text

The President may award a silver star medal of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, is cited for gallantry in action that does not warrant a medal of honor or Navy cross—

(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;

(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

(3) 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.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389, § 6244; Pub. L. 88–77, § 2(3), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 94; renumbered § 8294, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(b)(13), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1836.)

Notes

Historical and Revision Notes Revised sectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 624434 U.S.C. 356a.Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, § 4; added Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, § 1, 56 Stat. 743. The word “award” is substituted for the word “present” to cover the determination of the recipient as well as the actual presenting of the decoration. The words “but not in the name of Congress” are omitted as surplusage, since a decoration is presented in the name of Congress only if the law so directs. The words “Navy or the Marine Corps” are substituted for the words “Navy of the United States” because the provision is interpreted as authorizing the award of the medal to persons serving with the Marine Corps. The words “since December 6, 1941, has distinguished himself” are omitted as executed.

Editorial Notes

Prior ProvisionsA prior section 8294, acts Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 509; Sept. 2, 1958, Pub. L. 85–861, § 1(173), 72 Stat. 1518, provided that original appointments in Regular Air Force be made in grades of first lieutenant through colonel for medical and dental officers as Air Force requires, from qualified doctors of medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry who are citizens of the United States and have such other qualifications as Secretary of Air Force prescribes, with specific additional eligibility requirements for a doctor of osteopathy, and that officers so appointed receive service credit for determining grade, position on a promotion list, seniority in grade in Regular Air Force, and eligibility for promotion, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 96–513, title II, § 204, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2880, effective Sept. 15, 1981. See section 532 of this title.

Amendments2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 6244 of this title as this section. 1963—Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged the authority to award a silver star medal, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in action, to permit its award for gallantry 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.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.