Nevada Candidate David Flippo Accused of Misrepresenting Bronze Star Award

A Washington Post investigation found that congressional candidate David Flippo repeatedly claimed he earned a Bronze Star with valor while serving as an Air Force officer in Iraq. Campaign materials and photographs showed Flippo wearing a hat that displayed a Bronze Star insignia accompanied by two V-shaped devices—symbols that, in U.S. military practice, denote a valor distinction. The claim was later contradicted by the official citation released to the Nevada Independent, which confirms only a standard Bronze Star and an Outstanding Unit Award with valor awarded to his unit.

Mother Jones

The Bronze Star is awarded for meritorious service in a combat zone; a V device is added only when the award is earned for direct combat heroism. During the Iraq war roughly 100,000 Bronze Stars were issued, and only about one in forty included the valor device. Flippo first appeared in campaign photos wearing the contested hat in August 2023, continued the practice through June 2026, and has recently been photographed without the V symbols.

Mother Jones

Flippo told the Post that he received a standard Bronze Star and an Outstanding Unit Award with valor, and that his campaign staff mistakenly conflated the two awards when describing his record. The campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment and did not answer questions about the hat’s symbols.

Mother Jones

Veterans interviewed by Nevada News & Views and the Nevada Independent argued that the hat’s two V devices implied a valor award. Daniel Casentini, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, said: “A Bronze Star with a V device indicates you were directly involved in combat, under hostile fire, for the actions the Bronze Star is being awarded for,” — Daniel Casentini — Daniel Casentini, retired Air Force Master Sergeant. Scott Maryott, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, asked: “Why would you put those Vs that represent valor on your hat in the first place?” — Nevada — Scott Maryott, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, and added: “He could say, ‘I made a mistake putting them on my hat,'” — Scott Maryott — Scott Maryott, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. A former Army Ranger described Flippo’s display as “clearly representing” a Bronze Star with valor and called the behavior “a lie.”

Mother Jones

Out of the approximately 100,000 Bronze Stars awarded during the Iraq conflict, only about 2,500 (1 in 40) carried the V device, underscoring the significance of the distinction within the military community.

Mother Jones