Can a person be awarded a Meritorious Service Medal if they've recieved a Bronze Star? (same time frame)?

imthevoiceofgod

Yes you can, but only if the BSM is given for a single act.
Example: You could receive the MSM for a deployment, while on the deployment you pull a fellow soldier out of a burning vehicle and fight off a group of insurgents. For that act you could receive the BSM with a V device.

This would all be covered in AR 600-8-22 Chapter 1-19

1â€“19. Duplication of awards
a. Only one decoration will be awarded to an individual or unit for the same act, achievement, or period of meritorious service.
b. The award of a decoration in recognition of a single act of heroism or meritorious achievement does not preclude an award for meritorious service at the termination of an assignment. Recommendations for award of a decoration for meritorious service will not refer to acts of heroism or meritorious achievements which have been previously recognized by award of a decoration.
c. Continuation of the same or similar type service already recognized by an award for meritorious service or achievement will not be the basis for a second award. If appropriate, an award may be made to include the extended period of service by superseding the earlier award, or the award previously made may be amended to incorporate the extended period of service.
d. Awards authorities may not recommend a duplicate award for the same act or service from another service component. That is, if a Soldier is assigned to a joint command, he or she may not receive a joint award and a Service award for the same period; moreover, a Soldier who is retiring may only be recommended for a Service or Defense retirement award, but not both.

I hope this helps.

SFC_Ollie

Yes, I do not recall the regulation but as long as the two awards are not for the same action then there is no conflict

RTO Trainer

Same time frame, yes, but not for the same action(s).

It's just a matter of writing up the award recomendation so that different aspects of his actions in that time period are highlighted in the citations, narratives, and justifications.

From AR 600-8-22:

1â€“19. Duplication of awards
a. Only one decoration will be awarded to an individual or unit for the same act, achievement, or period of meritorious service.
b. The award of a decoration in recognition of a single act of heroism or meritorious achievement does not preclude an award for meritorious service at the termination of an assignment. Recommendations for award of a decoration for meritorious service will not refer to acts of heroism or meritorious achievements which have been previously recognized by award of a decoration.
c. Continuation of the same or similar type service already recognized by an award for meritorious service or achievement will not be the basis for a second award. If appropriate, an award may be made to include the extended period of service by superseding the earlier award, or the award previously made may be amended to incorporate the extended period of service.
d. Awards authorities may not recommend a duplicate award for the same act or service from another service component. That is, if a Soldier is assigned to a joint command, he or she may not receive a joint award and a Service award for the same period; moreover, a Soldier who is retiring may only be recommended for a Service or Defense retirement award, but not both.

N. Cognito

I can't give you a regulation, but it shouldn't be a problem. Each award is given for specific reasons, and the two you mention do not conflict.

madpunter

Unfortunately, I don't think the answer is that clear. The key, you say, is the same time frame. If it is exactly the same time frame (i.e. the heroic event that led to the Bronze Star was dated from Day X to Day Y and the MSM is also from Day X to Day Y) then two awards should not be given for the same act or period.

But, it is sometimes appropriate to award a meritorious achievement medal for a period of time that may include a specific award of the Bronze Star for a specific event or act. In other words, if the MSM encompasses a full of tour of duty, for example, while the Bronze Star refers specifically to a particular event during that tour then it may be justifiable.

The key is the period of service the award refers to. The dates cannot be exactly the same. One can emcompass the other but they have to, essentially, be for two different things within that time frame. The Bronze Star for heroism in a combat zone, the MSM for services performed in or out of combat.

"As a general rule, only one award will be made for
the same act, achievement, or period of meritorious
service. It is inappropriate to duplicate awards, however,
an award for heroism or specific achievement within the
period of meritorious service is not considered
duplication. Neither the summary of action nor the
citation issued for the meritorious service should mention
the heroic service or the specific achievement previously
recognized." (Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual)

My source was the Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual but I assume it relates closely to other services. Further, it is likely individual commands or higher-echelon commands have already established local rules regarding the dual award of such medals. I would check with your ISIC.

jeeper_peeper321

Well actually a bronze star is not, just for a single event.

A bronze star can also be awarded for Meritorious service during an armed conflict.

Generally you wouldn't recieve both for the exact same time period.

But you could recieve both, for a period of time, that overlapped.

IE:

You were stationed at Fort Campbell in Janurary 2005. Deployed to Iraq in Nov 2005, then came back from the deployment in Janurary 2007. Then recieved orders to Fort Bragg.

You could be awarded the Bronze star for the Iraq deployment, and a Meritorious Service Medal for your time at Fort Campbell that included the deployment.

Victor Bout

The BSM can be awarded for a single valorous act, or it can be awarded as a service award given for a prolonged period of service in a combat zone, typically at the end of a combat tour.

Typically, MSM's are awarded as PCS awards for a specific time period served in that unit, not in combat.

Technically, I do not believe you can be given service awards which overlap in their time period.

Lousy commanders will use whatever excuse they can find to downgrade awards...

Here is the AR:
http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600_8_22.pdf

ckamk1995

Yes, my husband was just informed that he will be awarded both a MSM and Bronze Star for his actions and duty this time. So yes you can receive both. I will ask him if there is a regulation stating that both can be earned but again he just earned both.

I am so proud of him.

cheechalini

Yes, but i dont think it can be for the same action. No reg though, sry.

cordeliabrainiac

Beckajo

Are you a 3A or a 3S?

granddad1070@sbcglobal.net

No regulation against it.

sapper_12b4h

is it for the same event and or timeframe?

If the Bronze Star is for a valorous event and the MSM is for the timeperiod covered, there is no problem at all.

Thank you for you and your hubby's service.

Tom M

No... The Bronze Star is for actions during a conflict. A MSM is awarded only during peace time... Also you can not be awarded more than one medal for the same action. Medal can be upgraded Silver Star to CMH ect but the SS is gone.

jack of all trades

A Bronze Star is for one particular event. The MSM is for prolonged service, not for just one act of bravery.

matt m

Jeeper peeper is correct. I deployed to Afghan. , received the BSM for my actions during that Deployment (deployed billet)and when i returned and retired from the Corps, I recv'd the MSM from my unit for my 4 years at that command. I also recieved the DMSM for my Iraq Deployment during the 4 years i spent at that command (from a separate Army command I was attached to).

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