The Bronze Star medal in its original case

An original and quite rare medal in excellent collector's condition. Bronze, stamping, patination. Without brands. The medal is equipped with an original leather case of an early type and two straps. The medal is a bronze five-pointed star with a diameter of 1.5 inches (38 mm). The size of each of the beams is 3/16 inches (4.8 mm). At the point of alignment of all five rays, there is another 1 star of a smaller diameter. The reverse has a circular inscription "HEROIC OR A COMMENDABLE ACT" ("HEROIC OR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT"). The center of the resulting circle is provided to indicate the name of the recipient, which is applied by engraving. The star is attached to the ribbon by a metal rectangular loop with rounded corners. Early issue medals are extremely rare even in the USA, a guarantee of authenticity.

The Bronze Star is the fourth most important military award in the US Armed Forces, if the award was made with a cluster "V" ("Valor") for heroism on the battlefield, and the ninth in the order of precedence in the usual version among all US awards.

It was established on February 4, 1944 by President Franklin Roosevelt and was intended to reward military personnel whose feat was not sufficient to be awarded the Silver Star for heroism in battle, or medals of the relevant branches of the armed forces for merit in other cases. Its effect was also extended to the merits and exploits committed since December 7, 1941.

By Government Decree No. 11046 of 08/24/1962, it was allowed to present military personnel of friendly Armed Forces to this award, although it was awarded to foreigners during the Second World War. If a serviceman was awarded for heroism on the battlefield, and not just for military merit, then in this case a cluster in the form of a bronze letter "V" was attached to the ribbon of the medal and on the bar, from "Valor" — valor. Among the Soviet servicemen, the commanders of some divisions stationed in 1945 in Austria, their deputies, commanders of some regiments, as well as individual military personnel were awarded. In particular, Pyotr Artemyevich Malyakshin was awarded it, as well as the commander of the 49th Guards Rifle Division, the future commander of the Soviet Airborne Forces, V. F. Margelov.