The Bronze Star Medal.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The U.S. Army Human Resources Command reminds World War II infantrymen who served in ground combat against an armed enemy between Dec. 7, 1941 and Sept. 2, 1945 that they are eligible to apply for a Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

Approval is virtually certain for recipients of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB) or Combat Medic’s Badge (CMB). The Army regulations which govern this award may be found in AR 600-8-22, Military Awards.

Next of kin may apply for a posthumous award. Also, if a veteran previously received a BSM during the war for a specific act of bravery, he or his next of kin is still eligible to apply for a BSM under this program.

Only those attached to an infantry unit of brigade or smaller size with the correct military occupation specialty (MOS) of infantryman are qualified for the BSM under the regulations. Any member of Merrill’s Marauders who was awarded a CIB is also eligible, in addition to the BSM, to receive the Ranger Tab.

When the CIB was established by the War Department in October 1943, Secretary of War Henry Stinson said, “It is high time we recognize in a personal way the skill and heroism of the American infantry.”

It was acknowledged that, overall, infantrymen continuously operated under the worst conditions and performed the most hazardous missions of a nature not assigned to other soldiers or units. The infantryman was the only soldier whose daily mission was to get close with and destroy the enemy and to seize and hold terrain, and thus the infantry suffered the most casualties.

Individuals meeting the above criteria should send a letter requesting the BSM, including the veteran’s full name, authority to access his file, the veteran’s service (or serial) number and the veteran’s Social Security number, to: Ms. Kathleen E. Miller, Army Human Resources Command, 200 Stovall St., Suite 3567, Hoffman II, Alexandria, VA 22332-0474.

Alternatively, contact Terry Shima of the Japanese American Veterans Association, 415 Russell Ave., #1005, Gaithersburg, MD 20877; (301) 987-6746; ttshima@worldnet.att.net.