Silver Star Service Banner Day in the United States Date in the current year: May 1, 2024

Silver Star Service Banner Day was initiated by the Silver Star Families of America (SSFOA). Founded in 2004 by the Newton family, SSFOA is a non-profit dedicated to assisting and supporting ill, wounded, injured and dying active duty service members and veterans and their families, as well as to raising awareness of their plight.

The history of the Silver Star Banner dates back to 1917 or 1918. It was Women’s Committee of the Council of Natural Defenses that suggested that a service banner with a blue star covered with silver threads be used to represent wounded service personnel. However, the banner faded from use sometime during the inter-war period.

Service banners came back into use during Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm). The Department of Defense formally adopted the Blue Star Service Banner, representing a family member serving in the United States Armed Forces, and the Gold Star Service Banner, representing a family member who died during military operations. However, the Silver Star Service Banner was overlooked.

The Silver Star Families of America was created to encourage the United States Congress to make the Silver Star Service Banner an official service banner representing those who were injured or wounded, or contracted a serious illness in a war zone. The organization also petitioned to declare May 1 Silver Star Service Banner Day.

In April 2010, the United States House of Representative recognized the Silver Star Service Banner and supported the designation of May 1 as Silver Star Service Banner Day. The United States Senate soon followed suit. Since then, the observance has been recognized by 50 states, the District of Columbia, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, the Chickasaw Nation, and almost 3,000 cities and counties. In the State of Missouri, it has been made into law.

The main aim of Silver Star Service Banner Day is to honor the sacrifices made by service members of the U. S. Armed Forces and military veterans who were injured or wounded in a war zone. You can observe it by displaying the Silver Star Service Banner on your window or flowing the Silver Star Service Flag, which may be flown by anyone, donating to SSFOA or any organization that supports wounded and injured service personnel and veterans, and spreading the word on social media.

Although the Silver Star Service Banner is not related to the Silver Star Medal, Silver Star Service Banner Day has evolved to celebrate the recipients of this military decoration. The Silver Star Medal is the third-highest military decoration for valor in combat in the U. S. Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry displayed in action against an enemy of the U. S. The medal was established in 1932 to replace the Citation Star, which, in turn, was established in 1918.