10 U.S.C. § 8294

Silver star medal

The President may award a silver star medal of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, is cited for gallantry in action that does not warrant a medal of honor or Navy cross—

(1)

while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;

(2)

while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

(3)

while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

( Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041 , 70A Stat. 389 , § 6244; Pub. L. 88–77, § 2(3) , July 25, 1963 , 77 Stat. 94 ; renumbered § 8294, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(b)(13) , Aug. 13, 2018 , 132 Stat. 1836 .)