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10 U.S. Code § 1133 - Bronze Star: limitation on persons eligible to receive

The decoration known as the “Bronze Star” may only be awarded to a member of a military force who—
(1)
at the time of the events for which the decoration is to be awarded, was serving in a geographic area in which special pay is authorized under section 310 or paragraph (1) or (3) of section 351(a) of title 37; or
(2)
receives special pay under section 310 or paragraph (1) or (3) of section 351(a) of title 37 as a result of those events.
(Added Pub. L. 106–398, § 1 [[div. A], title V, § 541(a)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–114; amended Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title V, § 571(a), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4222.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments

2011—Pub. L. 111–383 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The decoration known as the ‘Bronze Star’ may only be awarded to a member of the armed forces who is in receipt of special pay under section 310 of title 37 at the time of the events for which the decoration is to be awarded or who receives such pay as a result of those events.”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2011 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title V, § 571(c), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4223, provided that:

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] applies to the award of the Bronze Star after October 30, 2000.”