and not all Bronze Stars are for “v”alor...
That is true. BS can be awarded for valorous acts short of the requirement for a Silver Star, or meritorious acts short of a Legion of Merit. Pursuant to a study conducted in 1947 all soldiers who received the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) or Combat Medical Badge during WWII were retroactively issued the Bronze Star without the ‘V’. Because of USAF shenanigans, since 2001 to get a Bronze Star you have to actually be in the combat zone.