Humanitarian Service Medal
Encyclopedia
The Humanitarian Service Medal is a military service medal
of the United States armed forces
which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford
under . This medal is awarded to any member of the United States military (including Reserve and National Guard
members) who distinguish themselves by meritorious participation in specified military acts or operations of a humanitarian nature.
This medal is presented as an individual service medal. The activities for which the Humanitarian Service Medal may be authorized are designated by the United States Department of Defense
. Such activities include natural disaster relief, evacuation of non-combatants from a hostile area, or humanitarian support to refugees. This medal may not be awarded for services rendered in domestic disturbances involving law enforcement, equal rights demonstrations, or protection of property. This medal may also not be presented if either the Armed Forces Service Medal
or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
was presented for the same period of service.
The Humanitarian Service Medal is retroactive to April 1, 1975. Multiple awards of the medal are authorized with service stars denoting additional awards.See AR 672-20 for Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service.
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
of the United States armed forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
under . This medal is awarded to any member of the United States military (including Reserve and National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
members) who distinguish themselves by meritorious participation in specified military acts or operations of a humanitarian nature.
This medal is presented as an individual service medal. The activities for which the Humanitarian Service Medal may be authorized are designated by the United States Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
. Such activities include natural disaster relief, evacuation of non-combatants from a hostile area, or humanitarian support to refugees. This medal may not be awarded for services rendered in domestic disturbances involving law enforcement, equal rights demonstrations, or protection of property. This medal may also not be presented if either the Armed Forces Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
The Armed Forces Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created on January 11, 1996 by President Bill Clinton under...
or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
was presented for the same period of service.
The Humanitarian Service Medal is retroactive to April 1, 1975. Multiple awards of the medal are authorized with service stars denoting additional awards.See AR 672-20 for Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service.