The Noble History of the Bronze Star Medal

​Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based Duke Ligon currently serves as a board member of Blueknight Energy Partners L.P., Emerald Oil Inc., and numerous other corporations in the oil, gas, and natural resources fields. In addition, he is a decorated United States military veteran. Duke Ligon served on active duty in the Vietnam War and as an intelligence briefer for several of the war’s commanders. He is the recipient of a Bronze Star for his service.

The Bronze Star Medal, as it is officially known, is an award presented to United States military personnel who have distinguished themselves in any capacity involving ground combat operations against an enemy during their service in the Armed Forces.

Authorized in February of 1944 by Executive Order 9419, the Bronze Star was one of several military medals designed by the renowned jewelry firm of Bailey, Banks & Biddle - the Purple Heart is another. The sculpted design of the medal depicts a star with five points, with a smaller star placed in the center of the arrangement. Beneath the central star are additional points extending to the outer star’s edges. On the star are the words “Heroic or Meritorious Achievement.”

Famous Bronze Star recipients include actor Henry Fonda, whose service took place in the Navy during World War II; author Ernest Hemingway, who earned the honor in 1947 for his work as a war reporter; and big band leader Glenn Miller, a posthumous recipient after his transport plane was lost en route to Europe in 1944.                             

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