Guardano le normative che regolano questi segni d'onore ho notato che hanno criteri di conferimento molto rigorosi, la “commendation” addirittura richiede atti di “quasi” valore o atti di valore di grado inferiore a quello richiesto per il conferimento della Bronze Star.
Mi son posto una domanda: com'è possibile che qualcuno senza aver mai lasciato il suolo patrio abbia posto in essere cotanta condotta?
Per togliermi il dubbio ho fatto delle ricerche e ho intenzione di scrivere all'ambasciata statunitense (all'ufficio dell'addetto militare) per chiedere spiegazioni su come siano stati possibili questi conferimenti, in palese – a mio giudizio – contrasto con le normative che regolano i segni d'onore.
Vedremo se e cosa mi risponderanno.
Nelle more, per cercare di far capire a chi ci legge il peso di queste medaglie e la stranezza di certi conferimenti, pubblico i criteri di conferimento, magari mi può aiutare a dipanare questo ulteriore italico mistero.
Army commendation medal
Code of Federal Regulations
Title 32 - National Defense
Volume: 3
Date: 2008-07-01
Original Date: 2008-07-01
Title: Section 578.20 - Army Commendation Medal.
Context: Title 32 - National Defense. Subtitle A - Department of Defense (Continued). CHAPTER V - DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY. SUBCHAPTER F - PERSONNEL. PART 578 - DECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES. - General.
§ 578.20Army Commendation Medal.
(a) Criteria. The Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) was established by War Department (WD) Circular 377, on December 18, 1945 (amended in DAGO 10, March 31, 1960). It is awarded to any members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after December 6, 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service. Award may be made to a member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation who, after June 1, 1962, distinguishes himself or herself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement, or meritorious service, which has been of mutual benefit to a friendly nation and the United States.
(1) Awards of the ARCOM may be made for acts of valor performed under circumstances described above which are of lesser degree than required for award of the Bronze Star Medal. These acts may involve aerial flight.
(2) An award of the ARCOM may be made for acts of non-combat related heroism, which do not meet the requirements for an award of the Soldier's Medal.
(3) The ARCOM will not be awarded to general officers.
(4) Awards of the ARCOM may be made on letter application to NPRC (see § 578.16(a)(3) for address), to any individual commended after December 6, 1941 and before January 1, 1946 in a letter, certificate, or order of commendation, as distinguished from letter of appreciation, signed by an officer in the grade or position of a major general or higher. Awards of the Army Commendation Ribbon and of the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant are re-designated by DAGO 10, March 31, 1960, as awards of the ARCOM, without amendments of certificates or of orders previously issued.
(5) The Commander, Eighth U.S. Army is authorized to award the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service to Korean Augmentation to U.S. Army (KATUSA) personnel.
(b) Description. On a 13/8-inch bronze hexagon, one point up, an American bald eagle with wings displayed horizontally grasping three crossed arrows and bearing on its breast a shield paly of 13 pieces and a chief. On the reverse between the words “For Military” and “Merit” a panel, all above a sprig of laurel. A moired silk ribbon 13/8 inches in length and 13/8 inches in width, composed of stripes of white (3/32-inch), green (25/64-inch), white (1/32-inch), green (1/16-inch), white (1/32-inch), green (1/16-inch), white (1/32-inch), green (1/16-inch), white (1/32-inch), green (1/16-inch), white (1/32-inch), green (25/64-inch), and white (3/32-inch).
Army Achievement Medal
Code of Federal Regulations
Title 32 - National Defense
Volume: 3
Date: 2008-07-01
Original Date: 2008-07-01
Title: Section 578.21 - Army Achievement Medal.
Context: Title 32 - National Defense. Subtitle A - Department of Defense (Continued). CHAPTER V - DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY. SUBCHAPTER F - PERSONNEL. PART 578 - DECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES. - General.
§ 578.21Army Achievement Medal.
(a) Criteria. The Army Achievement Medal (AAM) was established by the Secretary of the Army, April 10, 1981. It is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or to any member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation, who while serving in any capacity with the Army distinguished himself or herself by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for award of the Army Commendation Medal under the following circumstances:
(1) After August 1, 1981, for meritorious service or achievement while serving in a non-combat area.
(2) On or after September 11, 2001, for non-combat meritorious achievement or service.
(b) The AAM will not be awarded to general officers.
(c) Description. A Bronze octagonal medal, 11/2 inches in diameter, with one angle at the top centered. On the obverse is a design consisting of the elements of the DA plaque and the date “1775” at the bottom. On the reverse, in three lines, are the words “FOR MILITARY ACHIEVEMENT” above a space for inscription and below there are two slips of laurel. The moired ribbon is 13/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 1/8 inch Green 67129; 1/16 inch White 67101; 1/8 inch Green; 1/16 inch White; 9/32 inch Ultramarine Blue 67118; center 1/16 inch White; 9/32 inch Ultramarine Blue; 1/16 inch White; 1/8 inch Green; 1/16 inch White; and 1/8 inch Green.