DAF Form 2235A: Bronze Star Medal Certificate Download

DAF Form 2235A: Bronze Star Medal Certificate Download – The DAF Form 2235A is the official Department of the Air Force certificate template specifically designed for the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) with two signature lines. It serves as the formal award certificate presented to recipients recognizing heroic or meritorious achievement or service.

U.S. service members, veterans, and Department of the Air Force (DAF) personnel searching for the correct form to document or display a Bronze Star Medal award frequently need this version. The two-signature-line format accommodates standard approval workflows at appropriate command levels.

What Is the Bronze Star Medal?

The Bronze Star Medal, established by Executive Order 9419 on February 4, 1944, ranks as one of the U.S. military’s prestigious personal decorations. It recognizes individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States on or after December 7, 1941, distinguish themselves by:

  • Heroic or meritorious achievement or service not involving aerial flight.
  • Acts performed in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force (in which the U.S. is not necessarily a belligerent party).

Key criteria include:

  • Heroism in ground combat of a lesser degree than required for the Silver Star.
  • Meritorious service or single acts of merit that are outstanding but fall below the level required for the Legion of Merit.

The medal features a bronze star with a smaller star in the center. Its ribbon is predominantly red with a narrow white-edged blue band in the center and white stripes near the edges. Recipients may authorize a “V” device for valor in combat. The Bronze Star carries significant weight in military careers and veteran recognition.

Note: Award authorities for the BSM are strictly controlled. Higher-level approvals (such as those involving the Chief of Staff of the Air Force or Secretary of the Air Force) may use the related DAF Form 2235 instead of the two-signature version.

Purpose of DAF Form 2235A

DAF Form 2235A provides the official certificate for the Bronze Star Medal when the approval authority requires or uses two signature lines. This format appears in DAFMAN 36-2806 (Military Awards: Criteria and Procedures), which lists it explicitly alongside other award-specific forms like DAF Form 2239A for the Legion of Merit.

The two-signature-line design supports:

  • Endorsement by the immediate approving commander and a higher reviewing authority.
  • Flexibility for different command levels within the Department of the Air Force (including Air Force and Space Force members).

It ensures the certificate looks professional, standardized, and compliant with DAF awards policy for presentation to the recipient, inclusion in personnel records, or display purposes (subject to restrictions on certain high-level awards).

How to Download DAF Form 2235A?

Official direct downloads (provided by the user and hosted on the trusted Air Force e-Publishing platform):

These files come from the Department of the Air Force’s official e-Publishing system, the authoritative source for all DAF forms and publications. Always verify you are on the .mil domain when accessing Air Force documents.

For the latest forms index and related publications, visit the official Department of the Air Force e-Publishing site at https://www.e-publishing.af.mil/. Search for DAFMAN 36-2806 or DAFI 36-2803 for full policy context.

Who Needs DAF Form 2235A?

  • Active-duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard members being recommended for or receiving the Bronze Star Medal.
  • Personnel offices (Military Personnel Flights) preparing award packages.
  • Veterans or next of kin seeking to replace or frame an official certificate.
  • Units processing decorations under DAF awards programs.

Important: The form itself is the certificate. The actual award recommendation and justification process follows detailed guidance in DAFMAN 36-2806 and DAFI 36-2803, typically involving narrative justifications, chain-of-command endorsements, and submission through official channels.

Replacement of Bronze Star Medal and Certificates

If you need a replacement medal, ribbon, or certificate:

  • Active-duty or recently separated DAF members should work through their servicing Military Personnel Flight or AFPC.
  • Veterans and retirees generally request replacements through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO, using Standard Form 180 (SF-180) or the online eVetRecs system. There is no charge for one-time replacement of medals to entitled veterans or primary next of kin.

Processing times vary, but the NPRC aims to verify entitlement and forward requests appropriately. Include supporting documents such as a DD Form 214 or other proof of service.

The primary references are:

  • DAFMAN 36-2806 – Military Awards: Criteria and Procedures (details form usage and approval levels).
  • DAFI 36-2803 – Military Decorations and Awards Program (overarching policy).

These publications outline everything from recommendation checklists to approval authorities and wear instructions. Bronze Star Medal requests for certain high-visibility or sensitive awards may require submission to AFPC/DPSTTC.

Tips for Proper Use and Compliance

  • Use the exact official PDF to maintain formatting and security features.
  • Ensure signatures follow current DAF guidance on authority lines and dual signatures.
  • Do not alter the form template; it must remain standardized for official records.
  • For display purposes, note that the Bronze Star Medal has specific restrictions on public exhibition in some contexts—consult DAFMAN 36-2806.

Service members and veterans seeking accurate information on the Bronze Star Medal certificate should always rely on official .mil sources to avoid outdated or unofficial versions.

Download DAF Form 2235A today from the links above and ensure your awards documentation meets current Department of the Air Force standards.

This article is for informational purposes and reflects publicly available Department of the Air Force policy as of 2026. For official advice, contact your servicing personnel office, AFPC, or the National Personnel Records Center.