Combat "V"

"V" Device
Bronze "V" device
Awarded by United States
Type	Ribbon device
Awarded for	Heroism in combat
Status	In use
Statistics
Established	22 December 1945 (22 December 1945)
Precedence
Next (lower)	"C" device

A "V" device is a metal ¹⁄₄-inch (6.4 mm) capital letter "V" with serifs which, when worn on certain decorations awarded by the United States Armed Forces, distinguishes an award for heroism or valor in combat instead of for meritorious service or achievement.

The decorations with which a "V" may be authorized differ between the military services, as well as the manner in which the "V" is worn and the name by which it is referred to. The Department of Defense, Army, and Air Force refer to the "V" as the "V" Device. The Coast Guard refers to it as the Valor Device, while the Navy and Marine Corps refer to it as the Combat Distinguishing Device or Combat "V". Until 2 February 2017, the services also used different criteria in determining whether a "V" could be authorized.

On 22 December 1945, in War Department Circular 383, the United States Army decided to introduce the "V" device to distinguish the award of a Bronze Star Medal for acts of valor and heroism rather than meritorious service. Soldiers including Army airmen who were awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism in combat, were now authorized to wear a bronze "V" on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal. Only one "V" was allowed to be worn on a ribbon. The Department of the Navy introduced the "V" as the "Combat Distinguishing Device", and on 15 February 1946, authorized the "V" device to be worn on the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal for services or acts performed in actual combat with the enemy; in February 1947, this was changed to acts or services involving direct participation in combat operations. Most World War II veterans who were entitled to the "V" probably did not know about or apply for the device, since large scale separations from the services were taking place after the war ended. Stocks of the device also were not available for issue for at least a year since the Army circular.