Valor device
| "V" device | |
|---|---|
  
The bronze-colored "V" (valor) device for first award, silver for second award, and gold for third award.
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| Awarded by United States | |
| Type | Ribbon device |
| Awarded for | To denote valor (after 2 February 2017) To denote valor or combat service (before 2 February 2017) |
| Status | In use |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1944 (U.S. Army) |
| First awarded | 1945 (U.S. Army) 13 February 1946 (U.S. Navy) |
| Last awarded | Current |
| Precedence | |
| Next (lower) | "C" device |
The "V" Device is normally a bronze a bronze 1⁄4-inch letter "V" (6.4 mm) with serifs that is authorized by the United States Armed Forces as a ribbon and medal device for a defined set of decorations.
The Army and Air Force version is referred to as the "V" Device. The Coast Guard version is referred to as the Valor Device. The Navy and Marine Corps version is referred to as the Combat Distinguishing Device or Combat "V". The criteria for and wear of the "V" device differs among the services.
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), officially refers to the "V" device in its technical specifications as "ribbon attachment, letter 'V'".
In 1944, the Army authorized a brass "V", for valor, as an attachment to be worn on the Bronze Star Medal. The "V" ("V" Device) was first worn by Army personnel to denote an award for valor in 1945. The Secretary of the Navy authorized the "V" (Combat "V") for the Bronze Star Medal and the Legion of Merit on 13 February 1946.
In 1996, the "V" device garnered public attention after the suicide of Admiral Jeremy Boorda, who was the Chief of Naval Operations. The news media reported that his death by suicide may have been caused by a Navy investigation (following a media story) into whether he was wearing this device on the service ribbons of his uniform without authorization. Boorda had been wearing a Combat "V" on two decorations he was awarded during the Vietnam War as a weapons officer and executive officer aboard two naval ships off the coast of Vietnam. Although there were indications these devices were authorized to be worn on his Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals, the Department of the Navy Board For Correction of Naval Records determined after his death that both of the devices were not authorized to be worn.
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