| "V" device | |
|---|---|
 Bronze "V" device | |
| Type | Ribbon device |
| Awarded for | Heroism in combat[N 1] |
| Presented by | United States |
| Status | In use |
| Established | 22 December 1945 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (lower) | "C" device[1][2][3] |
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 a decoration awarded for combat valor or heroism from the same decoration being awarded for a member's actions under circumstances other than combat.[4]
The decorations with which a "V" may be authorized differ among the military services, as well as the manner in which the "V" is worn and the name by which it is referred to. Until 2017, each service also used different criteria in determining whether a "V" could be authorized.[N 1][5]
Cite error: There are <ref group=N> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=N}} template (see the help page).
- ^ "DoD Military Decorations and Awards Review Results (1-36)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
- ^ Ferdinando, Lisa (7 January 2016). "Pentagon Announces Changes to Military Decorations and Awards Program". DoD News. U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 13 July 2016. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
- ^ DOD Manual 1348.33, Volume 4, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DOD Joint Decorations and Awards Archived 28 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine, U.S. Department of Defense, dated 20 October 2020, last accessed 25 October 2020
- ^ "Ribbon Attachment, Letter 'V'". MIL-DTL-41819/3J. Defense Logistics Agency. 2 February 2017.
- ^ Burgess, Lisa (26 October 2006). "Pentagon reviewing 'V' device for consistency". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 28 April 2014.