The Bronze Star is a pretty significant medal. Check out the web site:

for a description of what it was awarded for. A partial quote:

b. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

c. Awards may be made for acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.

This medal doesn’t sound like an “I was there” kind of award.

my dad was also a vet of WWII,,also received the bronze star,,but his only had one star in the middle of the bronze star,,was in the,9th armour, 73rd Armory field artillary battalion,,also founght in the battle of the bulge,,and his commander was a Gen Harrold, under the command of a Lt.Col. SS Sogard,,,after his death was also awarded a bronze medal: Presesrving American Freedom”/”Honoring The American Veteran”,,,as for getting info about your fathers unit,,do you know of anyone who served with him that might still be alive(try asking them),,,sometimes the V.F.W. may be able to help point you the right direction,,,also try contacting a congressman from your district,,,,,,,,,,I wish all the luck to you(I know what this means to you,,,,good luck),,I’ve still got my dads papers from basic training,an old milatary book telling of the march to “save a bridge”(a movie was made about that)

You may try to find military reunions that are associated with his organization, and then try to find survivors from his unit(s) who could shed some light on his actions.

You could also contact the military branch he served in, and see if a historian could shed some light on the clusters.

In my own experience, an oak leaf cluster is awarded for the second, third, fourth, etc. award of a medal. A bronze oak leaf cluster signifies one award; a silver oak leaf cluster signifies five awards, and replaces the previous bronze oak leaf clusters. For example, I was awarded nine Air Medals, and was entitled to wear the ribbon, plus a silver oak leaf cluster, and three bronza oak leaf clusters.

Usually the units have a newsletter or website. Get in contact with men he served with and subscribe to the newsletter. It will give you a lot of information. My grandfather faught in the war and the only thing he ever told me was that a house on the travel channel in Amsterdam was like the houses he stayed in during the war. I found out from the newsletters that he had liberated concentration camps (who would want to talk about that?).

you might go to and see if they have a message board you can post in