Since 2017, Charles Akerlow has served as the managing director of Zenith Development, which originates residential and retail projects in Utah. Charles Akerlow is also the president and CEO of Akerlow Thomas Dyer and Proterra, Inc. of Salt Lake City. In that capacity, he has developed commercial and residential ventures valued at some $2.2 billion. Among his accomplishments is American Plaza, a collection of condominiums, office buildings, and a Hilton Hotel. Highlighting Mr. Akerlow's leadership in civic affairs is his previous directorship of the Salt Lake Model Cities Program, a $3 billion effort that enhanced low-income housing, neighborhoods, and educational assistance. Mr. Akerlow also promoted the Model United Nations, a high school activity sponsored by the University of Utah, where he was also a member of the faculty. In addition, he facilitated community health development at the University. As a US Army captain, Mr. Akerlow was an intelligence officer in Vietnam, where he earned a Bronze Star. He also served in the 41st Civil Affairs Company at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Mr. Akerlow has been a member of numerous organizations, including the state and national Republican Party. He has also been affiliated with the Urban Land Institute, the US Chamber of Commerce, the Utah Symphony, and the American Heart Association. He graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor's in political science. He went on to obtain a master's, after which he attended the University's College of Law.
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About the U.S. Bronze Star Military Medal

The Bronze Star is a prestigious military decoration presented to U.S. service members to recognize heroic and meritorious actions during armed conflicts. This distinction is the fourth-highest military award attainable by a member of the U.S. military. Individuals granted this medal receive decoration and acknowledgment for their sacrifice, accomplishments, courage, and honor in service to the United States. The medal is granted based on courage, merit, and achievement.
To qualify for the Bronze Star, the awarded activities must have been carried out on or after December 7, 1941, while serving with the U.S. military. They must have occurred in the context of fighting an enemy of the U.S. or engaging with an opposition or foreign force.
Serving alongside friendly forces engaged in combat against an opposing military is also a qualifying factor. These actions should distinguish the individual from their comrades, showcasing either brave or praiseworthy achievement or service. Meritorious and heroic acts during aerial flight are ineligible for the Bronze Star.
Colonel Russell P. Reeder conceived the idea of creating the Bronze Star during World War II, for which he earned accolades like the Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Cross, and Silver Star. Colonel Reeder for his service. He envisioned an award that small unit ground commanders could readily give to ground soldiers in the field. Initially named the Ground Medal, the award gained traction under General George C. Marshall and was officially designated the Bronze Star Medal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944.
The Bronze Star aimed to promptly recognize acts of heroism and meritorious service, particularly for those engaged in prolonged frontline duty. President Roosevelt's order established it as a military decoration with retroactive significance dating back to the Pearl Harbor attack. In 1947, the medal retroactively replaced the Combat Medical Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge for World War II service members.
The accolade is a circular medal crafted from bronze. It measures 1.5 inches in diameter. At its center, a raised star aligns with a larger star's rays. The medal is suspended from a one- and 3/8-inch wide ribbon, which consists of seven vertical stripes in the sequence of white, scarlet, white, blue, white, scarlet, and white. Each white stripe is 1/32 inch wide. Each scarlet stripe is 9/16 inch wide. The central blue stripe is 1/8 inch wide.
The reverse side of the medal bears the inscription Heroic or Meritorious Achievement and provides space for engraving the recipient’s name. A Bronze Star awarded with a V device signifies acts of heroism or merit during combat. This denotation accentuates the valor of the medal's recipients. An oak leaf cluster device signifies the number of times the award has been received and may symbolize additional accomplishments. These devices can be displayed on a ribbon bar or the medal's ribbon.
The Bronze Star has been issued to thousands of deserving servicemen and women across various conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Their commander must recommend contenders to qualify for it, and a citation in their orders must accompany it. In exceptional cases, civilians contributing to the U.S. Armed Forces in combat situations are also eligible for this esteemed award.
Only three combat decorations, including the Medal of Honor, the top award bestowed by the U.S. government, surpass the Bronze Star in precedence. It recognizes extraordinary acts of valor in armed conflict, such as surpassing the call of duty and involving substantial risk to life. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second-highest military accolade, whereas the Silver Star is the third-ranked distinction.
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