§ 8294. Silver star medal

Statutory 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—

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.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1956
Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389, § 6244 · 70A Stat. 389
Enacted · 10 U.S.C. § 8294
Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389, § 6244
Source evidence
Code source credit
Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389, § 6244
1963
Pub. L. 88–77 § 2(3) · 77 Stat. 93
Changed · 10 U.S.C. § 8294
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
Source evidence
Code amendment note
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.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(3) Section 6244 is amended to read as follows: “§ 6244. Silver star medal “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.”
2018
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
Pub. L. 115–232 div. A title VIII § 807(b)(13) · 132 Stat. 1636
Changed · 10 U.S.C. § 8294
Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 6244 of this title as this section
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 6244 of this title as this section.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(13) Chapter 567.— Each section in chapter 567 10 USC 8291–8308. is redesignated so that the number of the section, as redesignated, is the number equal to the previous number plus 2,050.
Effective date note
Amendment 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.

2 of 3 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial

Notes

historicalAndRevision

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
6244	34 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 Provisions

A 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.

Amendments1963–2018 · 2 rounds

2018

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 Amendment

Amendment 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.

Credits

1956–2018 · 3 acts

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

Show as published

(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.)