3/16" Four Gold Star Device
Criteria: Gold Star Devices, known generally as award stars, are decoration attachments issued by U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel to represent multiple bestowals of the same award. For instance, if a service member received three Achievement Medals, their service record would reflect the Achievement Medal with two gold award stars. An award star is similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the Army and Air Force.
Award stars are issued in two degrees, gold and silver, with silver considered the higher degree as is the tradition in the U.S. military. Silver award stars are issued in lieu of five gold, meaning that a silver star is provided for the 6th, 11th, 16th and so on, for subsequent awards of a decoration. There are no higher degrees of award stars authorized in lieu of five silver award stars.
Award stars are only issued for individual medals which are awarded for combat or meritorious actions. They are not issued for service medals, which receive service stars.