$245.00
Condition: Excellent
In stock
Product Description: An excellent example of a U.S. military gallantry decoration, this WWII Silver Star in Coffin Case features a World War II-era manufactured medal housed in its original hard-shell “coffin” presentation case. The medal is unnumbered and unnamed, consistent with many Silver Stars held in reserve and later issued during the Vietnam War period.
Accompanying the medal are a Vietnam-era engraving Request Form dated 1968, ribbon bar, and button bar, reflecting the common postwar distribution of surplus WWII decorations during the Vietnam conflict. The medal itself retains its original finish and crisp detailing, with both medal and case rating as excellent + in condition.
This WWII Silver Star in Coffin Case offers a compelling intersection of two major American conflicts, representing both the manufacturing standards of the Second World War and the continued legacy of valor recognized in Vietnam.
Historical Description: The Silver Star Medal is the United States Armed Forces’ third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. Awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States, it recognizes acts of heroism performed with marked distinction but of a lesser degree than those justifying the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross.
The origins of the Silver Star trace back to the Citation Star, a 3/16-inch silver star worn on the World War I Victory Medal ribbon. Established in 1918, the Citation Star was later redesigned into a full medal in 1932 by order of President Herbert Hoover. This transformation formalized the Silver Star as a standalone decoration, retroactively authorizing upgrades for acts of valor previously recognized by the Citation Star.
The Silver Star has been awarded across every major conflict involving U.S. forces since World War I, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and modern engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. In World War II, mass mobilization and intense combat operations resulted in tens of thousands of Silver Stars being awarded. Many WWII-era medals were held in reserve by the military and were later issued during the Vietnam War, a practice that explains the use of WWII-manufactured medals in later conflicts.
The design features a gilt bronze star, 1.5 inches in diameter, with a smaller silver star superimposed in the center. The reverse typically bears the inscription “For Gallantry in Action”, though some unissued or surplus examples remain blank. The medal is suspended from a ribbon of red, white, and blue stripes, symbolizing the nation’s ideals and sacrifice.
As a symbol of valor and heroism, the Silver Star Medal remains a powerful testament to the courage of American service members and is highly respected among both military personnel and collectors of U.S. militaria.
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