Nevada offering special plates to recipients of Silver and Bronze medals for valor

(Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles)

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles released this image Monday, June 27, 2016, of a special license plate for veterans who have received a Bronze Star Medal for valor. (Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles)

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles released this image Monday, June 27, 2016, of a special valor license plate for veterans who have received a Silver Star Medal. (Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles)

Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles began offering special license plates Monday to combat veterans who received Silver Star or Bronze Star medals for valor.

Department Director Terri Albertson said the recipients are heroes who “earned the distinction and are truly deserving of these special license plates.”

The Silver Star Medal is the third-highest U.S. military decoration for valor. Only the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross rank higher.

“The Bronze Star Medal is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement or service. Bronze Star Medals awarded for heroism include a ‘V’ device, Combat V or Combat Distinguishing Device for valor and must have this designation to qualify for the plates,” according to a news release announcing the special plates.

The special plates were authorized in an Assembly bill that was approved by the 2015 Legislature.