Poor choice of words on my part, googled and found what I couldn't bring to mind - "meritorious achievement or service". Doesn't require actual combat. My brother got a Bronze in the first Gulf War, around '91, ran an intelligence operation that didn't involve any combat for him, other than the risk of a scud, something everyone there was at risk for, although had the Iraqis (and probably some others) known what he was doing and where he was, would have wanted to kill him. I'm not saying a badge or medal (and pardon me for mixing up the terms, I know there's a difference) isn't important because it doesn't involve combat, lot's of non combat activity is vital. Met a female soldier that didn't carry a weapon and still got a Purple Heart from scud shrapnel in Riyadh; I'd never say she didn't deserve it.