The celebration of Silver Star Service Banner Day occurs on May 1. The day honours the sacrifices of U.S. military personnel and recipients of the Silver Star.
The background of Silver Star Service Banner Day
The Citation Star was bestowed for “gallantry in action” in the early 1800s. The Citation Star was eventually superseded by the Silver Star Medal. The Silver Star is awarded to combatants who display exceptional valour. It is the third-highest award in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Silver Star Service Banner Day honours the sacrifices of the ailing, wounded, and dying members of the military. Additionally, the day honours Silver Star Medal recipients and their families. During World War I, the tradition of the service banner with blue stars covered in silver strands, which represented wounded service members, began. However, it fell out of use when the United States officially adopted gold and blue star service banners between the wars. The colour silver represents the valour of service members, while blue represents faith. These two hues reinforce the Silver Star Service Banner Day message.
Although the Silver Star Families of America (SSFOA) organisation established the day in 2004, it was not declared official until 2010. The House of Representatives also designated May 1 as Silver Star Service Banner Day. The primary objective of Silver Star Families of America (SSFOA) is to inspire gratitude and reverence for the sacrifices made by military veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces through the display of a Silver Star Service Banner and/or a Silver Star Flag. Numerous organisations and groups have devoted themselves to assisting ailing, disabled, and injured war veterans and recognising their sacrifices as well as those of their families.
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5 FACTS ABOUT SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER DAY THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
One in ten U.S. military personnel sustains a critical injury during combat.
Between 100,000 and 150,000 Silver Star Medals have been issued by the U.S. government.
In addition to the 50 states, Saipan, Guam, the Chickasaw Nation, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia have issued proclamations honouring the Silver Star families.
For his valour in Vietnam and Korea, Colonel Davis Hackworth received the highest number of Silver Star Medals ever bestowed to an individual: ten.
Cordelia Cook was the first woman to be awarded the Silver Star for her service during World War II.
SILVER STAR SERVICE BANNER DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 1 | Monday |
| 2024 | May 1 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | May 1 | Thursday |
| 2026 | May 1 | Friday |
| 2027 | May 1 | Saturday |
