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They award the Bronze Star V for receiving the Bronze Star in a combat zone. The tell is they have no citation of specific action.

That's just not so.

The Bronze Star without V is an award for leadership in the combat zone (and only in a combat zone) won by mid-level officers and warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers. More senior officers and the most senior NCOs get the Legion of Merit or (for joint duties) the Defense Superior Service Medal with "C" Device. More junior officers and NCOs get their service's Commendation Medal or the Joint Commendation Medal with "C" Device

The Bronze Star with "V" Device is (essentially) a different award. It's the fourth-ranked ground and sea combat valor decoration, below the Silver Star and above the Commendation Medal with "V" Device. (Compared to the awards for aerial combat valor, it ranks junior to the Silver Star when awarded for aerial combat valor, equally with the Distinguished Flying Cross with "V" Device, and senior to the Air Medal with "V" Device).