Quote:
Originally Posted by keith A
This is weird. 13 campaigns is impossible isn't it?
K
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Thirteen is a big number, but I suppose it could be possible. Air Group 10 was one of about 10 air groups that had four or more deployments, any one of which could result in one or more campaign stars depending on when and where they were doing their business and for how long.
The regulation states
Stars authorized for actual combat in operations and engagements, as authorized by the Chief of Naval Operations, will be worn on the ribbon bar and suspension ribbon of the respective Area Campaign medals and will be known as engagement stars. For the purpose of this order the following definitions are applicable:
An "Operation" is a series of connected military actions occupying a specific area and time and may involve many clashes with the enemy.
An "Engagement" is an action with the enemy taking place within a restricted time and area, and of sufficient intensity and significance to justify recognition.
An "Area" is one of the three geographical areas, viz: American Area, European-African-Middle Eastern Area, Asiatic-Pacific Area.
The prerequisite to the wearing of a star on an area service ribbon shall be honorable service in a ship, aircraft unit or shore-based force at the time it participated in actual combat with the enemy. In instances in which the duty performed did not result in actual combat with the enemy but is considered equally hazardous, the Chief of Naval Operations may award an operation or engagement star to the units concerned. Not more that one star will be awarded for a single operation or engagement. Units supporting an engagement or operation, but subject only to the ordinary hazards of war, do not merit an award. (NOTE:--Any ship which has been awarded a Presidential Unit Citation or Navy Unit Commendation for meritorious participation in an action or campaign for which a combat star has been authorized is entitled to that combat start.)
For example, my father had campaign stars, one silver, four bronze, for nine qualifying campaigns, and that was all outside 9 months working up with VF-11 before going back into combat, and then 14 months at ComFAirWest before going back out with the TF-38 staff in November 1944 to the end of the war, so almost two years on the west coast or in Hawaii.
Ultimately, if one were in enough places at the right times . . .
Remember, you don't have to get shot at to get a campaign star device, just being where your presence, right unit/ship, right place, right time, means you get the device.