A bronze star on a NAM usually means the ribbon has been awarded more than once, and the bronze star is the device that shows an additional award. In Navy and Marine Corps usage, small bronze stars on ribbons are wear devices, not the Bronze Star Medal itself.

On a Navy Achievement Medal (NAM) , a bronze star typically means one extra award of the NAM. If there were five extra awards, a silver star would usually replace five bronze stars.

Quick distinction

  • Bronze Star Medal = a separate military decoration for heroic or meritorious service in combat-related situations.
  • Bronze star device on a NAM = a count marker showing repeat awards of the Navy Achievement Medal.

So if someone says they have a “bronze star on their NAM,” they most likely mean they earned the Navy Achievement Medal more than once, not that they received the Bronze Star Medal.