[Clyde]

I just came back from the funeral of a good friend. He spent 28 years in the Army Air Corps and the Air Force. Sometime in that 28 years he earned the Bronze Star. We think that it was during Vietnam. No one including his wife or kids has any idea what he received the award for. He would never talk about it. Is there any way to find out why the commendation was issued?

Yes, his wife as the surviving NOK can request his records and it should be possible to get a copy of trhe commendation as well if it isn't included in what she gets. Has to contact the National Personnel Records Facility in writing - can use the web-site to get the request form, but that has to be sent in phsyically, signed by the requesto.

 

[Clyde]

Most of the records that were destroyed were Army. Most Air Force (includng Army Air Force) records survived as i understand it. If he got Bronze Star in the Vietnam years, those records will have survived, and since his service apaprently didn't have a break, even earlier ones should be there. The records didn't go to the Personnel Center until a service memeber left active duty.

Occupation duty in Germany lasted much longer than many realize (I tried to get a transfer to Berlin while i was in Germany ion themid060s so I could qualify for the Army of Occuppation Medal, but i couldn't manage it). Service periods for that medal (clasps to indicate whoch occuppied nation):

Germany (May 9, 1945 to May 5, 1955)
Austria (May 9, 1945 to July 7, 1955)
Italy (May 9, 1945 to September 15, 1947)
West Berlin (May 9, 1945 to October 3, 1990)
Because of the legal status of West Berlin, as an occupied territory until the unification of Germany, the Army of Occupation Medal was issued for forty five years making it one of the longest active military awards of both the Second World War and the Cold War.

 

[Clyde]

Yeah, I found out about it after i got to Germany, and tried to get reassigned to the Berlin Brigade as a maintenance officer. Couldn't work it for reasons that had to do with stuff I had access to in my initial unit assignment (things we really didn't have a need to know, but were told anyway). A reorganization caused me to be reassigned, and i thought it would be neat to come home with another medal ribbon beyond the National Defense Service Medal, but....

 

[Clyde]

It is formally the Medal for Humane Action - this should link you to a picture and information:

http://www.history.navy.mil/medals/mha.htm