Updated: 18 October, 2009

United States

FBI Medals

• FBI Director Presents Honorary FBI Medals Director Robert S. Mueller, III presented 42 honorary FBI medals to 38 recipients. Recipients of the FBI Star include: Major Peter Norton of the British Army, a Captain at the time, was seriously injured in a bomb blast in Iraq while serving as a team leader for a Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell mission alongside two FBI Special Agent Bomb Technicians. Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Bruce Bennett, SSA Earl Camp, SSA Tricia Gibbs, and Special Agent (SA) Raymond Pitesky, for their actions related to a bombing attack in Islamabad, Pakistan, in March of 2008; and Detective Superintendent Keith Pearce of the Metropolitan Police Service in London, England, who was with the agents when the attack took place. Recipients of the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement: SSA Harold Bickmore, for his heroic and selfless efforts to save the life of a 16-year-old girl following a traffic accident on a highway in a suburb of Boston. SSA John Dunn, for his actions while assigned to the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team in Iraq, working to disrupt and dismantle the al Qaeda in Iraq network. SSA Tricia Gibbs, for her conduct during the March 2008 bombing attack in Islamabad, Pakistan, for which she also received the FBI Star. SA Sean J. Burke, SA Jeffrey Dowdy, SA Michael Dupler, SA Daniel Gaston, SA Jason Kruger, SA Haejun Park, and SSA Jeffrey Wood, Jr., for their courageous response to the scene of a grenade attack at the Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, in January 2008. Recipients of the FBI Shield of Bravery include: SSA Nicholas Boshears, in recognition of an exceptional act of bravery while assigned to a team in Iraq tasked with providing immediate analysis of improvised explosive devices. SA Boshears provided first aid to Captain Norton after the blast that injured him. SA Charles Davis, for his heroic actions while assigned to the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team in Iraq in 2006, working in support of the U.S. military to conduct sensitive searches, capture and interview insurgents, and recover weapons and other evidence. SSA Christopher Rigopoulos, for heroic actions while on assignment in Iraq, providing life-saving medical assistance and physically shielded soldiers who had been gravely injured when a bomb exploded in the midst of their convoy. SSA Stephen J. Clark and SSA William T. Francis, Jr., for their heroic actions under enemy gunfire while assigned to the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team in Iraq. SA Ronald Eowan, Department of State Senior Regional Security Officer Earl Miller, and former SA Paul Myers, for their investigation that led to the arrest of the 12 terrorists responsible for a 2002 ambush on 10 school teachers and a 6-year-old child in Indonesia. Two U.S. citizens and one Indonesian citizen were killed in the attack, and the surviving eight Americans were seriously wounded. SA Steven J. Binney, SA David L. Bonney, SA G. Joseph Bradley, III, SA Jeffrey Cisar, Maryland State Police Captain Mark E. Gibbons, SA Thomas E. Huegerich, SA Christopher Mayfield, SA Paul V. Miller, SA Kevin P. Murray, SA Joe Pientka, III, SSA Michael E. Saltz, SA Jae B. Shim, SA Robert B. Tucker, and SA Kevin Vorndran. These 14 individuals were involved in a standoff and shootout at the apartment of a dangerous felon who had threatened to open fire on police at the United States Capitol Building. In the midst of the standoff, the team safely evacuated the residents of the adjacent apartments, including a family with two small children. Eventually, the team re-entered the apartment to arrest the subject, who continued to shoot at them until he was killed by return fire. Recipients of the FBI Medal of Valor include: SA Robert Merta, for investigating and locating a dangerous fugitive in 1989. His courageous actions during the arrest, tackling the subject in an attempt to disarm him when the subject opened fire, protected his fellow agents from grave harm. SSA Christopher Rigopoulos, for his actions in Iraq saving the lives of his convoy at great risk to his own life—for which he also received the Shield of Bravery—and for participating in the rescue of Captain Norton following a bomb blast. SSA Stephen J. Clark and SSA William T. Francis, Jr., for their work on FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team in Iraq, putting aside their own safety and putting their lives on the line on a day-to-day basis, for which they also received the Shield of Bravery. fbi.gov 27 Mar 09

• Deputy Director Bruce Gebhardt will be Retiring Bruce J. Gebhardt, the FBI's number two official, will retire after a 30-year career. Gebhardt became a special agent in 1974 and has been deputy director for the past two years. During his career Gebhardt served in Field Offices in Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Newark, N.J. and Phoenix ad well as at headquarters in Washington. He received the FBI Medal of Valor for action during an airplane hijacking in 1976 in Denver, Colorado. fbi.gov 18 Aug 04

• Columbus Police Officer Receives High Honors From FBI In recognition of his courage and bravery Lt. Mark Starling received an FBI Star Medal.  It's one of the highest honors and rarely given to local law enforcement. Starling is still emotional about what happened in May of 2005. At the FBI's request, he confronted two bank robbers at the Peachtree Mall.  He was shot three times, one bullet lodged in his jaw...the others near critical arteries.  wtvn.com 28 Nov 06

• FBI Awards Medal to Italian Police Chief Director Robert S. Mueller presented Giovanni De Gennaro with the FBI's Medal of Meritorious Achievement, an award that recognizes courageous and selfless acts that protect and save the lives of others. De Gennaro's work on the front lines against Italian organized crime put him in constant peril—and atop the Sicilian Mafia's hit list. Despite the dangers, he played a central role in a number of major cases in the mid-'80s with the FBI that significantly hobbled Italian organized crime in the U.S. Friday's presentation marked the first time the medal has been awarded to one of the FBI's international partners. De Gennaro played a key role in investigations that led to prosecutions of some 800 people in the U.S. and Italy, most notably the "Pizza Connection" and "Iron Tower" investigations into international heroin smuggling. The operations significantly reduced Italian influence in the drug trade in the U.S. fbi.gov 6 Dec 06

• Supervisory Special Agent Gregory J. Rahoi Awarded FBI Medal Of Valor and Memorial Star - Director Robert S. Mueller, III, awarded the FBI Medal of Valor posthumously to Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Gregory J. Rahoi. SSA Rahoi died on December 6, 2006, after being shot and fatally wounded in a Hostage Rescue Team training exercise. Director Mueller also presented the FBI Memorial Star medal to SSA Rahoi’s parents and fiancé. Director Mueller said, “We present you with the Medal of Valor, ‘In recognition of brave and heroic acts occurring in the line of duty while deployed to Iraq as a member of the Hostage Rescue Team, July 7, 2006 through October 10, 2006. These actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the FBI.’ We also present you with the Memorial Star. The inscription reads: ‘In honor of Supervisory Special Agent Gregory J. Rahoi who made the ultimate sacrifice on December 6, 2006, during a Hostage Rescue Team training exercise. This special recognition is presented in Supervisory Special Agent Rahoi's memory and in tribute to his performance which was in the highest traditions of the FBI.’” The Medal of Valor and the Memorial Star are two of the FBI’s highest honors. The FBI Medal of Valor is presented in recognition of an exceptional act of heroism or voluntary risk of personal safety and life, and this act must have occurred in the direct line of duty or within the scope of FBI employment and in the face of criminal adversaries. The FBI Memorial Star is presented to a surviving relative where death has occurred in the line of duty. fbi.gov 11 Dec 06

• Two El Paso FBI Agents to be Awarded FBI Star Medal Special Agent in Charge Ralph Diaz will award the FBI Star Medal to El Paso Special Agents Samantha Mikeska and Sergio Barrio. This medal is awarded to agents who have sustained serious injury in the direct line of duty as a result of physical confrontation with criminal adversaries. Agents Mikeska and Barrio were involved in the September 12, 2002 Union Pacific train robberies investigation in Sunland Park, New Mexico. During the conduct of an arrest, they were violently assaulted by a group of suspects. Both sustained serious injury, hospitalization and significant medical treatment. They subsequently returned to duty and continue to serve the community. elpaso.fbi.gov 4 Oct 04

• Hoover receives National Security Medal from President Eisenhower Photograph of J Edgar Hoover receiving the National Security Medal from President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1955. fbi.gov

• FBI Freedom of Information Website Here you will find one-stop shopping to request information that may be found in the FBI’s Central Records System. Information about an organization, business, investigation, historical event, or incident. Information about a third party, about a deceased person, or ifnormatin about yourself.

• FBI Website

NASA Medals

• NASA Agency Honor Awards nasa.gov

• Awards and decorations of NASA List of Recipients From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

• Staples to be honored by NASA Williams Staples, president of the University of Houston – Clear Lake will be awarded the NASA Public Service Medal. Each year, the space agency selects individuals and groups, both government and non-government, who have made substantial contributions to NASA’s mission. Galveston County Daily News, TX 2 Aug 03 Pitt Engineering Professor Awarded NASA Public Service Medal Peyman Givi, William Kepler Whiteford Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering, has been awarded the NASA Public Service Medal, which recognizes exceptional contributions to NASA's mission. Givi received the award “for the development of advanced modeling techniques for designing high-speed and hypersonic propulsion systems for aerospace vehicles.”  umc.pitt.edu 30 Aug 05

• Houck celebrates NASA medal Jim Houck, the Cornell University Kenneth A. Wallace Professor of Astronomy at Cornell University and developer and principal investigator for the Spitzer Space Telescope's infrared spectrograph, celebrated a top NASA award with colleagues in the Space Sciences Building on Wednesday, June 29, on the Cornell campus. Houck received NASA's Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal. spaceref.com 2 Jul 05 NASA Honors Distinguished Astronomer With Medal NASA Administrator Michael Griffin awarded the agency's Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal posthumously to acclaimed American astronomer and astrophysicist John Bahcall. His lifetime of achievement included work on development of the Hubble Space Telescope. Griffin presented the medal to Bahcall's widow, Neta Bahcall. In addition to work on the Hubble, Bahcall was honored for extraordinary service to NASA's space astronomy program and leadership of the National Research Council's Decadal Survey. The Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal recognizes significant scientific contributions toward achieving NASA's missions of exploration and discovery. prnewsire.com 10 Jan 06

• NASA Exceptional Service Medal James S. Martin Jr., NASA's former manager of the Viking missions to Mars, died April 14, 2002. Martin led a 750-member team of scientists, technicians and engineers during the Viking I and II missions in 1975. Awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 1967. (Apr 02)

• Stennis workers awarded NASA medals Employees at NASA's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss., recently earned recognition from NASA. Mary Kennedy received NASA's Exceptional Administrative Achievement Medal for exceptional contributions to the mission of NASA. She is an accounting technician in the office of the chief financial officer, business management directorate. She was given the award for her successful efforts to implement NASA's Web-based Time and Attendance Distribution System at Stennis. Jenette Gordon received NASA's prestigious Exceptional Achievement Medal. She is an environmental engineer in the center operations directorate. She was given the award for her creative approaches and expert knowledge of hazardous waste and permitting. When Stennis identified nine sites within the Stennis Fee Area that needed environmental cleanup, Gordon helped the directorate wade through procedures and information to achieve the complex project on time. Times Picayune, LA 21 Aug 03

• NASA Deputy Administrator Frederick Gregory Resigns NASA's Frederick D. Gregory, who spent 31 years at the agency as a research test pilot, astronaut and senior leader, announced his resignation as deputy administrator. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal; NASA, three Space Flight Medals, two Outstanding Leadership Medals and Distinguished Service Medal. His other awards include the National Intelligence Medal. prnewswire.com 9 Sep 05

• NASA Honoring Michoud Employees for Heroic Hurricane Work NASA is honoring 38 men and women who risked their lives during Hurricane Katrina to protect the agency's Michoud Assembly Facility, where space shuttle external fuel tanks are manufactured east of New Orleans. While thousands evacuated the area before Katrina made landfall, this "ride-out" crew stayed behind. To recognize that dedication, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin will present the workers with the Exceptional Bravery Medal. The medal is awarded for demonstrating exemplary handling of an emergency that prevents loss of life and government property, while disregarding personal safety. The team ensured Michoud sustained only minor damage from high winds and massive flooding that devastated the surrounding community. As a result of their heroic efforts, delay in external tank processing was kept to a minimum. The crew's work was essential not only to NASA's Space Shuttle Program, but also to the future of human space flight. Michoud's unique manufacturing facilities figure prominently in America's Vision for Space Exploration, since derivatives of the external tank are part of the design for the next generation spacecraft. nasa.gov 29 Dec 05

• 2007 NASA Honor Awards Ceremony at JSC The following is a list of this year's honorees, some of whom may have received their awards at earlier ceremonies:

  NASA Distinguished Service Medal

• Robert D. Cabana
• Marsha S. Ivins
• Brent W. Jett, Jr.
• Steven W. Lindsey
• Joseph R. Tanner
• Jeffrey N. Williams

NASA Space Flight Medal

• Daniel C. Burbank
• Christopher J. Ferguson
• Michael E. Fossum
• Brent W. Jett, Jr.
• Mark E. Kelly
• Steven W. Lindsey
• Steven G. MacLean
• Lisa M. Nowak
• Piers J. Sellers
• Heidemarie M. Stefanyshyn-Piper
• Joseph R. Tanner
• V. Pavel Vinogradov
• Jeffrey N. Williams
• Stephanie D. Wilson    spaceref.com 30 May 07

• Bulen recieves NASA Achievement Medal Dianne G. Bulen, a NASA employee at Stennis Space Center (SSC) near Bay St. Louis, recently received NASA's prestigious Exceptional Achievement Medal. An administrative officer in the Propulsion Test Directorate (PTD) at SSC. She was given the award for her ability to assess and lighten the administrative burden on PTD managers. Her knowledge of the directorate, disciplined approach and problem-solving abilities have gained Bulen the reputation of a "go-to contact" for PTD personnel actions such as hiring, promotion and training. The Daily News Online 8 Oct 03

• NASA Website

NOAA Medals

• NOAA Medals  (Criteria for Award)

• NOAA staff wins US medal The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded its Bronze Medal to the Billings staff of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service. The Billings unit was honored for outstanding work in providing life-saving warnings and enhanced public service during the prolonged severe weather episode of the summer of 2001. (Nov 02)

• Commerce Secretary Awards Medal to NOAA Weather Forecast Team for Work During Last Winter's Ohio Valley Snow and Floods A silver medal -- one of the highest honors granted by the U.S. Department of Commerce -- was awarded to a team from several NOAA National Weather Service offices for their coordinated life- saving services during the Ohio Valley snow and flood events of December 2004 and January 2005. The Silver Medal honors "exceptional performance characterized by noteworthy or superlative contributions that have a direct and lasting impact within the Department. biz.yahoo.com 13 Dec 05

• Medal for UNH scientist The U.S. Department of Commerce has honored a research meteorologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-University of New Hampshire Joint Hydrographic Center for giving the public access to real-time coastal data and forecasts over the Internet. Dr. John G.W. Kelley, of Hampstead, received a NOAA Bronze Medal. Kelley conceived of and led the development of nowCOAST, a Web mapping portal using the latest in Geographic Information Systems Internet technology. seacoastonline.com 18 Jan 05

• NOAA Website

  National Guard Medals

• United States Awards and Decorations of the National Guard The ultimate list

• National Guard Ribbons (The most comprehensive list - old & new) (Deepwell)

• National Guard Ribbons (Covers most states) (armyawards.com)

• Ruppersberger Receives Medal For 'Operation Hero Miles' A Maryland congressman who created a special program to bring thousands of troops serving in Iraq home for rest and relaxation received a special award. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-District 2, who created Operation Hero Miles, was awarded the National Guard Association Charles Dick Medal of Merit Award. thewbalchannel.com 26 Oct 04

Alabama

• Alabama State Awards (4th Alabama)

• Ribbons of the State of Alabama (Megan C. Robertson)

• Medal minted for newest war veterans Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as those who have been deployed in the United States in support of the war on terrorism, are eligible to receive a new medal minted especially for their service, a military spokesman said. The Liberty Bell Medal will be presented to Alabama veterans. al.com 17 May 07

•  Flowers gets Army Achievement Medal Alabama Army National Guard Captain Gregory L. Flowers, above right, was decorated with the Army Achievement Medal for exceptionally meritorious service from August 1, 1999 through December 31, 2002 while serving as the Aide-de-Camp for the Commanding General, 62nd Troop. (Feb 03)

• Col. Sailors awarded Army Meritorious Service Medal Alabama Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Bobby L. Sailors was decorated with the Army Meritorious Service Medal for "distinguished meritorious service, excellent performance, devotion to duty, and command leadership while serving as Battalion Commander of the 1203rd Engineer Battalion (Topographical) during the period March 2001 through January 2003". (Feb 03)
• You Can Design Spirit of Alabama Medal - Since the spirit of Alabama can only shine through Alabamians, Governor Riley is asking for your help designing the Spirit of Alabama Medal. In his Inauguration speech, the Governor announced the medal will be presented to extraordinary Alabamians every year. WSFA, AL - (Feb 03)
  • Governor seeks designs for Spirit of Alabama Medal - Montgomery Independent
  • Governor seeks designs for Spirit of Alabama Medal - Tuscaloosa News
  • Governor Appeals To The Public For Help On New Award - WSFA

• Governor Awards Medal to Two Soldiers for Hurricane Work Two members of the Alabama National Guard were awarded the Special Service Medal of Alabama for their leadership in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. Governor Bob Riley pinned medals on Colonel Jeffrey Kinard of the 226th Area Support Group in Mobile and Staff Sergeant James Dunkle of the 167th Infantry Battalion, based in Valley. Riley said the soldiers were among more than 1700 Army and Air Guard personnel who helped hundreds of residents after Ivan landed on Alabama's Gulf coast in mid-September. The Special Service Medal of Alabama is awarded to individuals whose actions deserve praise. waff.com 10 Nov 04 

• New law to provide medal to families of fallen service members Under a law taking effect Sept. 30, Bons may soon receive an Arizona Gold Star Military Medal honoring her son's sacrifice. Sen. Al Melvin, R-Tucson, the bill's author, said he got the idea from Hawaii, which in 2005 created a medal of honor for its residents killed in action since Sept. 11, 2001. Since then, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada and Alaska have started presenting similar medals. "The primary reason is to give recognition to these fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow citizens and their state," Melvin said. More than 100 Arizona residents have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The law will authorize the Arizona Department of Veteran' Services to award the medal but requires that no money from the state's general fund go toward it. The money will come instead from the Veterans b Donations Fund, which draws from fees for the Arizona Veterans License Plate, said David Hampton, a spokesman for the department. azcentral.com 8 Sep 09

• Iowa Governor Honors Heroes The governor handed out Medals of Valor to emergency workers and citizens from across the state. Among them, a Glenwood police officer Gary Chambers, who was involved in a shooting. More (Dec 02)

• State Legislator writes book on medal-winning soldiers An Iowa state legislator who's also a part-time soldier is writing a book about medal-winning soldiers who've served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Chuck Larson, a state Senator, is also a lawyer in the Army Reserve who was on active duty in Iraq for about a year. In August of this year, several months after he returned from Iraq, Larson founded a group called "Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission." The group began working with so-called "gold star families" who've had loved ones die in the war on terror. Now, Larson is leading a project to write a book. "As I was working with these families and returning veterans, I discovered an incredible number of stories of heroic action under fire and stories that America needed to hear," Larson says. "I made the decision to begin writing a book to capture those stories." Servicemen and women from every branch of the military and from all over the country will be featured. Some of them are Iowa soldiers. "There are some great Iowans we can be very proud of (who) will be profiled in the book," Larson says. He's lined up a publisher, but can't say, yet, when the book will be released. radioiowa.com 27 Dec 05

Illinois

• Illinois NG Medals

Kentucky

• The Kentucky Medal for Valor The Kentucky Medal for Valor is the highest state decoration, which can be awarded to members of the Kentucky National Guard. To date, 44 Kentucky Guardsmen have the distinction of having been awarded the Kentucky Medal for Valor. Website contains details on this medal along with a list of recipients and details surround the award of the medal.

• Kentucky National Guard Awards and Decorations  Pictured is the Distinguished Service Medal

• Kentucky National Guard Medals

• Soldier with local ties honored with three medals after death A fallen Kentucky National Guardsman, Sgt. Darrin K. Potter, was posthumously honored with the Spirit of Louisville Award. The award is the city’s highest honor. It’s usually given to emergency workers for bravery and/or community service. Potter also received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. The Madison Courier 7 Nov 03

• Ky. unit wins honor for service in Iraq The 478th Engineer Battalion will receive the Presidential Unit Citation for service in Iraq, the highest award an Army unit can receive. The battalion of about 450 soldiers was mobilized in March 2003 and served with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. cincypost.com 21 May 04

• Relatives remember guardsman slain in Iraq As rain fell, relatives of Staff Sgt. Brock A. Beery huddled around his casket yesterday, hugging and crying. The moment punctuated the funeral service for Beery, 30, a Kentucky National Guard soldier who was killed March 23 in Iraq. His vehicle hit a roadside bomb near Habbaniyah, west of Fallujah.  Beery will be posthumously presented the Purple Heart, the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. Nine members of Kentucky National Guard units have been killed in Iraq since the 2003 invasion. courier-journal.com 1 Apr 06

• Ky. Guard member gets Medal of Valor Instinct took over for Kentucky National Guardsman Caleb Williams in September when he saw a suicidal man standing in the path of a train. Williams, 26, from Barbourville, sprinted 30 yards in the 90-degree, post-Hurricane Katrina Louisiana weather to sling the Cuban refugee off the tracks just seconds before the train roared past. Williams' heroic act on Sept. 27 in Baton Rouge, La., earned him Kentucky's highest military honor -- the Medal of Valor. He is the 46th Kentuckian to receive the medal, which is given to members of the National Guard who put themselves in danger and go beyond the call of duty. kentucky.com 8 Jun 06

• Letter: Battle made me proud to be an American I saw a news story on TV that warmed my heart and made me proud to be an American and even prouder of our men and women serving in our armed forces. It involved a battle between three Humvees carrying 10 soldiers who where ambushed by 50 enemy forces. Once attacked, our soldiers returned fire in a 45-minute battle where 28 of the enemy were killed and the others finally ran for their lives. There were no American casualties. That is remarkable in itself, but there’s more to the story. These were not Special Forces, they weren’t Army Rangers, or tough battle-hardened Marines, or even regular Army. They were MPs from the Kentucky National Guard: eight men and two women. All who rose to the call of duty and performed heroically. They were all honored, by the way, with the following: Staff Sgt. Timothy Nine, Distinguished Service Cross (second highest medal); Sgt. Leigh Ann Heste, Silver Star (first woman since World War II to earn this honor); Specialist Jason Mike, Silver Star; Specialist Casey Cooper, Bronze Star; Specialist William Haines, Bronzes Star; Specialist Ashley Pullen, Bronze Star; Sgt. Dustin Morris, Army Commendation with Valor; Specialist Jesse Ardunez, Army Commendation with Valor; Specialist Brian Mack, Army Commendation with Valor; Specialist, Joe Rivera, Army Commendation with Valor. jg.tc.com 18 May 07
• Three men commended for rescue 30 years ago Retired Lt. Col. Willoughby S. Goin had a decision to make. Goin and his crew of two other Kentucky National Guardsmen could keep flying through a brutal snowstorm to rescue a 13-year-old girl who had been in an accident or play it safe. "They wanted to see that little girl rescued if at all possible," Goin said. That decision on a blustery night during the brutal winter of 1978 saved the life of Kathy Campbell, who had been dragged 75 yards in the snow after a traffic accident. Last week, Goin, retired Chief Warrant Officer Lloyd Bailey and Master Sgt. Harmon Cross received Kentucky's highest decoration for their work that night. The three men were awarded the Kentucky Medal of Valor during ceremonies in Frankfort. "They put the interests of others before themselves," Kentucky Adjutant Gen. Donald Storm said in presenting the awards. Goin piloted an UH-1 "Huey" helicopter through a blinding snowstorm, while low on fuel, to pick up Campbell in Southeastern Kentucky and transport her to Lexington for treatment. kentucky.com 9 Dec 07
  

Louisiana

• Louisianans who were winners of the Distinguished Service Cross in WWI Thirteen Louisiana heroes received the distinguished service cross, and the plain narrative of the citations is a stirring, thrilling, inspiring story worthy of being preserved as history and heritage. P. Darlene McClendon Dec 03

• Veterans from Bogalusa and Washington Parish, Louisiana A wealth of information P. Darlene McClendon Dec 03

Maine

• Maine medal honors war against terror The state has a new medal to be presented after a military service member from Maine dies in connection with duty in the war against terrorism. The State of Maine Gold Star Honorable Service Medal, authorized by the Legislature during the session that ended this spring, is to be presented to family members of servicemen and women "for their dedication, duty and ultimate sacrifice while serving our state and nation in support of combat operations," Gov. John Baldacci said in a statement. Maine’s action follows that of other states that have approved special medals or ribbons acknowledging the service and sacrifices of their native sons and daughters. Virginia Gov. Mark Warner honored 40 members of the state’s National Guard in November with the Governor’s National Service Medal. The state award was created to recognize the service of Guard members called to active federal service since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. seacoastonline.com 26 Jun 06

• Honoring sacrifice Medal ceremony held for Iraq war dead Therese Poulin's hands trembled as she heard her son's name read aloud at a tribute to Maine veterans who have lost their lives serving their country since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Lynn Poulin, 47, a National Guard staff sergeant, died Dec. 21, 2004. He was killed by an explosion in his battalion's mess hall in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul. She walked forward and received a shining gold medal for her son's ultimate sacrifice, and a silver medal for her son's wounds. Pictured left is the State of Maine Gold Star Honourable Service Medal. Lynn Poulin was one of 14 veterans honored with the medals. Others included Marine Maj. Jay Aubin of Waterville who died March 21, 2003; Maine Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Michael Jones of Unity who died March 3, 2005; and Army Sgt. Kristofer Ciraso of Bangor who died Dec. 7, 2006.  morningsentinel.mainetoday.com 19 Jan 07

• Silver Stars Awarded To Four Maine Marines Four Marines were honored with the State Silver Star Honorable Service Medal. The awards were handed out by the state of Maine in recognition of honorable service, and in connection with the award of the Purple Heart for wounds received. The Marines who received the stars are Sergeant Joel Gagnon of Biddeford, Corporal Eric King of Bangor, Corporal Lucas Reardon of Cumberland, and Corporal Brian Smith of Hancock. Corporal Smith was on combat patrol in Fallujah last August when he was hit by a roadside bomb. He said he is honored to receive the Silver Star, but says those he served with are just as worthy. wcsh6.com 21 May

• Governor presents Silver Star Medals to veterans Gov. John E. Baldacci presented State of Maine Silver Star Honorable Service Medals to 17 veterans. The medal was first awarded to Maine veterans a year ago, and is presented to those who have been wounded while serving their country.Of the 17 veterans who received medals, nine were wounded in Iraq, two from World War II, three from Korea and three from Vietnam. Below is the list of veterans recognized and the town in which they reside. 

  Iraq

  Spc. Fredrick Allen of Pittsfield
  Pvt. Richard Bond of Springvale
  Sgt. Nathan Burke of Canaan
  Sgt. Christopher Cruciotti of West Gardiner
  Lance Cpl. Ryan Doyle of Durham
  Spc. Christopher Fraser of South China
  Sgt. Matthew Pennington of Winterport
  Senior Airman Nicholas Prunell of Etna
  Sgt. Paul Shelmerdine of Warren

  World War II

  Robert Baker of Windsor
  Estol McClintock of Wellington

  Korea

  Richard Chick of Winthrop
  Kenneth Cyphers of Hallowell
  Jack G. Stearns of Vassalboro

  Vietnam

  Gary I. Laweryson of Waldoboro
  John Moore of Brewer
  Randy Worthley of Winslow

  In addition, two veterans injured in Iraq were not present:

  Lance Cpl. Thomas Adametz of Winslow
  Sgt. George Greene of Dexter

Firefighters' union honors its own Medford MA firefighters being honored were nominated by their own peers, and approved by the union’s awards committee and an independent review board. Two types of medals were awarded: the Meritorious Service Medal and the Medal of Valor (pictured left). To receive the Meritorious Service Medal, the nominated firefighters had to be a member of Local 1032 and perform a “notable act of distinction” while on duty. For the prestigious Medal of Valor, the nominated firefighter had to exhibit “exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind and unusual swiftness of action” without regard to their own personal safety to save or protect another person in the line of duty in addition to meeting the requirements for the Meritorious Service Medal. After a brief description of each incident being recognized, union President Rick Jordan handed a navy blue box holding a shiny red, white and blue medallion to each recipient. Jordan delivered 15 Meritorious Service Medals and three Medals of Valor. Lt. Mike Craven, who received both a Meritorious Service Medal and a Medal of Valor, humbly accepted his medals. Capt. John Small, who along with Steve Doherty, Lt. Jim Brennan, Steve Cronin, Tom Murray, Lt. Mike Craven, Dick Murray and Billy Young, received Meritorious Service Medals after responding to an alarm on Summer Street only to find a woman who needed to be rescued from an attempted carjacking. In another incident that prompted gasps from the audience, Lt. Brian Cronin, Joe Fraser and Richard Jentz received Meritorious Service Medals for responding to a call to help a woman in labor — and delivered twins, one of which was a breach baby who was not breathing after the delivery. Dick Murray, a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, recently retired at the end of August. With mixed emotions he addressed the audience after being mentioned for his nearly four decades of service to the department. townonline.com 19 Sep 07

State of Maine Gold Star Honor Roll The following servicemembers have given their lives in defense of freedom since September 11, 2001. The families of these heroes were presented the Maine Gold Star Honorable Service Medal in recognition of their servicemember's dedication, duty and ultimate sacrifice while serving our state and nation in support of combat operations.

Maryland

• MD Officer Awarded Medal for Valor The Maryland National Guard announced that one of its members has been awarded the Maryland Medal for Valor. 1LT Matthews, who previously served in Iraq as a combat medic with the Maryland Army National Guard’s 115th Military Police Battalion, is a clinical nurse.  The award citation reads: “For an extraordinary act of valor above and beyond the normal call of duty. On 9 June 2007, a fatal automobile accident occurred on state Route 50 near Easton, MD. 1LT Matthews, who was traveling on the same highway at the time, immediately stopped and rendered vital assistance. Without regard for her own personal safety, she immediately took control of the situation, administered medical attention to those seriously injured and kept everyone at the situation calm. 1LT Matthews’ courageous actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Citizen-Soldier and reflect great credit on her, the Maryland National Guard and the State of Maryland.” The Maryland Medal for Valor is the second-highest state award that a member of the Maryland National Guard can earn. It is presented for acts of heroism clearly beyond what might have reasonably been expected under the circumstances.  The act of heroism must have been voluntary and placed the nominee in personal jeopardy. gxonline.com 21 Aug 70

Massachusetts

• Youth Service Medal recognizes children's sacrifice When servicemembers deploy, they aren't the only ones who serve. Their families serve also, and usually the separation is hardest on the children. Until recently, the service and sacrifice made by the children of deployed troops went largely unrecognized. That has all changed, thanks to the Massachusetts State Family Program Office and their new Youth Service Medal. The concept for recognizing children began with the chaplains and was adapted from a ceremony at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. Each child was awarded a flag shaped medal and given a salute. However, it was soon discovered that the flag medals were no longer available for purchase, so Massachusetts Air National Guard Family Program pins were given to each child. The popularity of this award continued to grow and it was decided to upgrade the award to a distinctive medal. Officials worked closely with an award company to create the medal which is for all children of Massachusetts National Guard members, including Air National Guard. thesop.org 9 Jun 06

   

Michigan

• Military museum adds exhibit to honor recent war veterans A new grouping of showcases honoring 16 Michigan recipients of the nation's second-highest award for combat heroism: the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Air Force Cross. Thirty of the museum's 110 showcases are new. The museum's director changed and installed 56 exhibits before the museum's March 7 reopening, which followed the annual two-month winter closure. The museum continues to display 22 of the 109 Medals of Honor awarded to Michigan men. Visit Michigan's Own Military and Space Museum:Online mlive.com 27 May 04

• County may honor vets with service medals Some military veterans may eventually get a piece of recognition that hasn’t been awarded in LaPorte County Indiana for nearly 90 years. The LaPorte County Veterans Service Office is looking into providing service medals for the county’s vets. To qualify for a proposed new county medal, service men and women would have to prove county residency and active-duty status, whether through discharge papers or military ID, said LaPorte County Veterans Service Officer John Wantuch. Reserve and National Guard members would have to have been called up for active duty. There would be no cutoff date for when the person served. No other county currently provides a similar medal, there is one other Indiana municipality that already has a program under way — Michigan City. He said Michigan City has 150 medals and he hopes to award them on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, but is still determining who will receive them. Michigan City’s medals will be reserved for those who received hazardous-duty or imminent-danger pay since Sept. 11, 2001. The preliminary design for the county’s medal would be a Maltese cross. The county seal would appear on the front along with the words, “People of LaPorte County in grateful recognition of patriotic service.” An eagle would be on the back with “United State Armed Services”. Michigan City’s design features a Leopold cross with a circle and lighthouse in the middle. “Michigan City, Indiana” is written around it. The medal’s ribbon would incorporate the school colors for the city’s traditional high schools. heraldargus.com 21 Sep 05

Maryland

• Maryland Air National Guard Awards and Decorations

• Maryland National Guard Officer Award Medal for Valor The Maryland National Guard announced that one of its members has been awarded the Maryland Medal for Valorfor heroic actions at the scene of a traffic accident on June 9. Maj. Gen. Bruce F. Tuxill, the adjutant general of Maryland, and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Maryland Turhan Robinson presented the award to 1st Lt. Amy L. Matthews of Cambridge, Md.. Matthews, who previously served in Iraq as a combat medic with the Maryland Army National Guard’s 115th Military Police Battalion, is a clinical nurse assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters Medical Detachment at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation in Reisterstown, Md. The award citation reads: “For an extraordinary act of valor above and beyond the normal call of duty. On 9 June 2007, a fatal automobile accident occurred on state Route 50 near Easton, Md. 1st Lt. Matthews, who was traveling on the same highway at the time, immediately stopped and rendered vital assistance. Without regard for her own personal safety, she immediately took control of the situation, administered medical attention to those seriously injured and kept everyone at the situation calm. 1st Lt. Matthews’ courageous actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Citizen-Soldier and reflect great credit on her, the Maryland National Guard and the State of Maryland.” The Maryland Medal for Valor is the second-highest state award that a member of the Maryland National Guard can earn. It is presented for acts of heroism clearly beyond what might have reasonably been expected under the circumstances.  The act of heroism must have been voluntary and placed the nominee in personal jeopardy. ngb.army.mil 16 Aug 07

Mississippi

• Mississippi NG State Awards and Decorations

• New medal honors fallen Guardsmen At least three families will receive the new medal Mississippi has created to honor National Guard members killed while serving their country, Guard officials said. Gov. Haley Barbour signed a bill this week creating the Mississippi Medal of Valor, now the second-highest of 10 awards for state National Guard service. clarionledger.com 15 May 04

• New law creates Mississippi Medal of Valor for military service A bill signed by Gov. Haley Barbour creates a Mississippi Medal of Valor, which becomes the second-highest of 10 awards for state National Guard service. The bill creating the new award becomes law July 1. The Medal of Valor will automatically be given to families of National Guardsmen who die while on duty. The governor may also be give the medal retroactively to active-duty military recipients of the Medal of Honor or the Purple Heart. The new law describes a gold medal with the state seal superimposed on a cross combined with crossed swords. Three Mississippi National Guardsmen have lost their lives in Iraq. Sgt. Joshua Ladd, 20, of Philadelphia, was killed May 1 outside Mosul when a rocket propelled grenade hit his vehicle. Spc. Raphael Davis, 24, of Tutwiler, died Dec. 2 when an improvised explosive device ripped through the Humvee he was driving in a convoy in Tampa, Iraq. Spec. James Anderson Chance III, 25, of Kokomo died Nov. 6 in Iraq when his truck hit a land mine near the Syrian border. sunherald.com 14 May 04
• Soldier's family awarded three medals The family of Sgt. 1st Class Saburant "Sabe" Parker will have three medals as a legacy of his heroism. Maj. Gen. Harold A. Cross, the Mississippi National Guard's adjutant general, gave Parker's family the Mississippi Medal of Valor, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. sunherald.com 30 May 05

• Oneto-Sikorski laid to rest as adjutant general salutes bravery Mississippi's National Guard saluted the bravery of a soldier killed in Iraq - and of his son, who rescued a sibling during Hurricane Katrina - as First Lt. Robert C. Oneto-Sikorski was laid to rest. Oneto-Sikorski, 33, and the 155th Brigade Combat Team, was killed last month by a roadside bomb in Iraq. "On foot patrol, he saw an indentation in the road that he himself went to check out and he was fatally wounded." Cross said it was typical of Oneto-Sikorski that he would check the device himself, rather than make one of his soldiers do it. Oneto-Sikorski, and Claire Regar, the mother of his three children, were both deployed to Iraq with the 155th. Oneto-Sikorski was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart, as well as the Mississippi Medal for Valor. Cross said he normally presents the Bronze Star certificate to a dead soldier's commanding officer. In this case, however, he asked Oneto-Sikorski's 11-year-old son Robert to place the certificate on an easel next to his father's casket. Cross said having the son handle the duty was appropriate because of the courage the boy displayed during Hurricane Katrina, when he swam to rescue his younger brother. The Aug. 29 storm destroyed Oneto-Sikorski's home in Bay St. Louis, a coastal town among the hardest hit in the devastating hurricane, as well as that of his mother, Elaine Oneto. His three children were evacuated to Memphis, where they have been staying with relatives. Cross said Oneto-Sikorski was among the soldiers of the 155th offered a chance to return home after Katrina, but the officer allowed another soldier to return in his place. Elaine Oneto had been on a waiting list for temporary shelter but received a mobile home after Gov. Haley Barbour and U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss, intervened following her son's death. sunherald.com 10 Nov 05

Missouri

• Lynch signs Medal of Honor bill Gov. John Lynch today signed two bills honoring members of the military from New Hampshire. One creates a New Hampshire Medal of Honor for military members killed in action and limits protests or demonstrations at a funeral. The other requires the POW/MIA flag be flown at all state-owned facilities. Current law requires the flag to be flown above the Statehouse everyday. The funeral protest provision was prompted by a Kansas-based group that travels around the country to protest at the funerals of military dead, saying soldier deaths are Gods punishment for American tolerance of homosexuality. boston.com 17 Jul 07

• Medal Of Valor Awarded To Three Maine Army National Guard Soldiers Three Maine Army National Guard soldiers are being honored for saving the lives of two shooting victims in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The State of New Jersey's Medal of Valor has been awarded to Lieutenant Christopher Elgee, Chief Warrant Officer Chris Merrill and Lieutenant Cynthia Pantolone. The three soldiers responded to an attempted robbery and shooting incident that occurred while they were in Atlantic City. While civilians fled the area, the soldiers secured the scene and gave lifesaving first aid to two people who had severe gunshot wounds. Their actions are credited for saving the lives of the victims. wcsh6.com 1 Jun 07

• A medal for every war Military historians say it started sometime after the Vietnam War: Governments appeared to be handing out medals to veterans more liberally than before. That trend has picked up since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, with at least two New Jersey counties giving thousands of veterans special medals in recognition of their service to their country. The push to hand out even more chest hardware continues: A bill in the Legislature would create the New Jersey Cold War ribbon. It would go to state residents “in recognition of their honorable service during the Cold War” in battling communist forces led by the old evil empire, the now-defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. While it may seem a little like like pandering to veterans, medal-giving in New Jersey is nothing new. It's been around since about the beginning of the 20th century, with the state handing out special medals to veterans of the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War over the years. There's even a way to get a special certificate of appreciation from the state for its residents who participated in the “Iran-Contra Crisis,” although details about just what that entails are somewhat vague. So when Atlantic County officials hand out about 450 special Atlantic County Veterans Service Medals, they won't be breaking any new ground. “We go back a long way with this,” said Joe Bilby, a military historian and assistant curator of the National Guard Militia Museum in Sea Girt, Monmouth County. Way back, as in about 100 years. Sometime around the turn of the 20th century, the state gave out the First Defenders Medal. It went to a handful of New Jersey militiamen who marched to Washington, D.C., in 1861 to defend it from a possible attack from Confederate forces during the Civil War. Those militiamen returned after three months, but their effort was apparently enough to win them the medal. “The Civil War sets the precedent,” Bilby said. According to Bilby, the trend of handing out increasing numbers of medals really blossomed in the later stages of the Vietnam War as part of an effort to recognize troops whose efforts in Southeast Asia were scorned by a significant portion of the American population. “I've seen an awful lot of fruit salad on people,” said Bilby, a Vietnam veteran.  New Jersey's veterans can apply for a series of decorations, including the distinguished service medal, meritorious service medal, Vietnam service medal, Korean service medal, and the POW-MIA service medal. Veterans who dropped out of a New Jersey high school to join the military for World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars can apply for the “Operation Recognition” certificate. In 2003, Hunterdon County started giving out the first of more than 1,300 of its Hunterdon County Veterans Medals. Today, Atlantic County starts awarding its medal, the result of a recommendation from its Veterans Advisory Board, which did initial design work on the medal. County graphics staff pitched in to come up with the final design. Overall, about 1,300 Atlantic County veterans will get the award. pressofatlanticcity.com 2 Jun 07

• POW/MIA medals to be presented Assemblyman Jack Conners, D-7th of Pennsauk-en, will present the New Jersey POW/MIA Medal to several state residents. The medals are given to those who were prisoners of war during American military conflicts, or to their families. phillyburbs.com 2 Oct 07
• Conners/Van Drew Military Medals Bills Passes Senate The Senate today passed legislation Assemblymen Jack Conners and Jeff Van Drew sponsored to honor more New Jersey veterans for their military service by refining eligibility for the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal. "The brave men and women of New Jersey deserve to be honored for all they have sacrificed," said Conners (D-Burlington/Camden).  "We should recognize our heroes - the soldiers, sailors, and pilots - who have bravely sacrificed their lives for our country." The measure (A-1448) allows resident veterans, deceased or living, who live (or lived) in New Jersey for at least 20 years in the aggregate to be eligible to receive the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal. Currently, there is no length of residency required to receive the Distinguished Service Medal.  The only requirement is state residency at the time of entry or induction into military service. The law also allows veterans who are no longer residents of this state but lived in New jersey at the time of their induction into the organized militia or federal military service to be eligible to receive ribbons and the medal and ribbon being issued by the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the ending of the Vietnam Conflict in January of 1973. The law also will allow New Jersey to appropriately honor those veterans, deceased or living, who have made this state their home for a significant part of their lives, but who were not residents when they military service. "We should honor the service of the military heroes who have spent the better part of their lives in New Jersey," said Van Drew (Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic).  "The New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal should honor all New Jersey veterans who have fought for our country's freedoms." The New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to certain veterans for active military service in a combat theater of operations during a war or emergency, for especially meritorious service, or for being a prisoner of war or missing in action. Applications for the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal are available from the Military and Veterans Affairs' Web site, which may be accessed through www.NJ.gov. politicernj.com 3 Jan 08
• Medal Ceremony for vets More than 250 local veterans have been invited to receive the New Jersey Burlington County Military Service Medal. Requirements for receiving a medal are residency in the county and an honorable discharge. Veterans must register and be approved to get a medal. phillyburbs.com 31 May 09

• Show Low HS grad awarded New Mexico Medal of Valor for rescue Capt. Danny Purcell and four others on his team were awarded with the New Mexico Medal of Valor, a very prestigious medal of distinction during a ceremony Oct. 23 at the Unit's facility in Santa Fe. The team was awarded for venturing into treacherous territory to rescue a 19-year-old soldier who had fallen while climbing the Franklin Mountains near El Paso and suffered serious injuries. Purcell, Sgt. Ron Benavidez, Staff Sgt. Ryan Haworth, Sgt. Brain Bowling and Lt. Col. John Fishburn all received the New Mexico Medal of Valor, apparently an award that is not frequently given out.     According to Bob Quick, writing in the Santa Fe New Mexican, the medal had not been awarded for the last nine years. The honor came as a surprise to Purcell, who is no stranger to search and rescue missions. The mission for which Purcell and the others were honored occurred on Oct. 18, a Saturday night. The New Mexico National Guard Aviation Unit received a call around 7:30 p.m. that an active-duty soldier, who was not identified, had fallen about 50 feet and rolled another 100 feet while mountain climbing. Purcell said where he fell made a ground rescue impossible, so the only option was to extract him from the air. "This particular mission was hair-raising," he said. "The mountains there are extremely steep." After receiving the call, the five members scrambled to meet at their base, some of them even traveling as far as Rio Rancho. By 9 p.m., Quick said, the unit took off and, using night-vision goggles, arrived at the Franklin Mountains at about 11 p.m. Purcell was the pilot of the mission, as the unit flew to the scene in a UH-60A helicopter. He said he and others in the crew had already put in a full day of work, so they were mainly running off of adrenaline. "We were very tired," he said. "We were able to muster up enough adrenaline to be able to pull it off." When the unit arrived, they learned the soldier was down in a ravine next to a cliff wall. With the soldier too injured to walk, Purcell had to lower the helicopter into the canyon, with the rotors spinning dangerously close to the mountain walls. "We had to get the rotor blade about 10, 15 feet from the side of the mountain," he said. "There was really no way out of there. We were in probably one of the worst spots you could be in that mountain." A careful descent into the canyon was not the only thing the team had to worry about. Quick wrote that while the soldier was being lifted to safety, a line stabilizing the litter broke, sending it into a spin that Purcell described as 150 RPM. However, the team was able to stabilize the litter and get the soldier into the helicopter. He was flown to the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss in El Paso County in Texas. Once in the hospital, the soldier learned he suffered broken ribs, a crushed sternum and abdominal bleeding, the New Mexican reported. Despite the injuries, he is expected to recover. wmicentral.com 16 Nov 08

• 

• New York State Regimental Ribbons (Deepwell)

• 2 Stewart Guardsmen Honored for WTC Sacrifice -
Staff Sgt. Andrew Brunn, 28, and Staff Sgt. Jerome Dominguez, 37, responded to the World Trade Center on that horrible day in their jobs as a firefighter and a police Emergency Services Unit member, respectively, trying to get people out of the north tower when the building collapsed. Both men were posthumously awarded New York State Medals of Valor for their heroism on Sept. 11. (Sep 02)

• Giuliani, Powell to receive State Freedom Medal - Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Secretary of State Colin Powell will be awarded the state's highest civilian honor, the Jackie Robinson Empire State Freedom Medal. The award was created in 1997 to honor those who demonstrated determination, dignity, and fairness in the tradition of Robinson, who under death threats broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Two winners are being awarded this year because the ceremony was suspended last September after the terrorist attacks. Past winners included Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa for helping victims of Hurricane Georges in the Dominican Republic and late Cardinal John O'Connor of New York. (Sep 02)

• Pataki Presents Medals To National Guardsmen, Says No 9-11 ... Gov. George Pataki paid tribute to New York's National Guard members, handing out the first of a new batch of medals designed to honor those who were called to duty in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The New York Defense of Liberty Medal was created for all the New York Guard members called into action since Sept. 11. It depicts the Statue of Liberty. Those guardsmen who served at least seven days in Manhattan will also receive a WTC decoration to pin to the medal's ribbon. Pataki presented the new medals to a representative group of 20 Guard members from throughout the state. Included were members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Guard and the New York Naval Militia. (Sep 02)

• Borough veterans honored with medals in St. Albans Veterans who earned awards from the federal level often are eligible to receive New York State awards, including the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, the Conspicuous Service Star, the state Medal for Merit, the state Certificate for Valor and others. Many of the vets, however, do not know about the awards or how to file the paperwork to get them. Flushing Times Ledger, NY - 24 Jul 2003

• State honors military veterans Veterans awarded medals by New York state:

  • Frank K. Betsinger of East Rochester, deceased, Medal for Merit.

  • Thomas G. Bryant of Hilton, Conspicuous Service Star and Conspicuous Service Cross.

  • Frank DeVeronica of East Rochester, deceased, Medal for Merit.

  • William M. Forbes of East Rochester, deceased, Medal for Merit.

  • Howard Hitchcock of Ontario, deceased, Medal for Merit

  • Ken Latragna of Irondequoit, Conspicuous Service Cross and Medal for Merit

  • Ralph Vanthof of East Rochester, deceased, Medal for Merit

  • June L. Fitzpatrick-McHugh of Pittsford, Medal for Merit

  • Joseph W. McHugh of Pittsford, Medal for Merit

  • Stephen D. Frederico of Rochester, Medal for Merit

  • Jerry L. Gropp of Fairport, Medal for Merit

  • Samuel A. Pallone of Rochester, Medal for Merit.

  • Francis P. Pittinaro of Fairport, Conspicuous Service Cross

  • Arthur A. Wacenske of Fairport, Medal for Merit and Conspicuous Service Star

  • Raymond W. Zink of Fairport, Medal for Merit. democratandchronicel.com 21 Dec 04

• New York State Conspicuous Service Cross Division of Veterans' Affairs

• New York State Conspicuous Service Star Division of Veterans' Affairs

• New York State Medal for Merit Division of Veterans' Affairs

• LI soldier's final farewell Army Specialist Wilfredo F. Urbina served with the NY National Guard at Ground Zero, following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror strike. Urbina, 29, was killed Nov. 29 when an explosion sliced into the Humvee he was in while riding through Baghdad. His father was presented with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star medal. He also received a New York State Medal for Conspicuous Service, and the state's Medal for Valor, awarded "for personal bravery" and for "gallantry and intrepidity above all comrades." .  newsday.com 7 Dec 04

• New York State Defense of Liberty Medal and Ribbon Images courtesy of Ed Emering

• New York state medal awarded posthumously State Sen. John Bonacic, R-C- Mount Hope, presented Sgt. Catalin Dima with a posthumous Liberty Medal. Dima's widow, Florika accepted the award – the highest given by the state Senate – with her three children standing next to her. Dima, an Army reservist who lived in White Lake, was killed Nov. 13 while serving with U.S. forces in Baghdad. recordonline.com 21 Jan 05

   

• Sergeant's bravery in Iraq leads to medal Army Staff Sgt. David Bellavia calls his New York State Conspicuous Service Cross an "award of geography," not valor, insisting anyone in his situation would have done what he did. He is sincere, but given what Bellavia did _ that is, kill six Iraqi insurgents during hand-to-hand combat in Fallujah last November _ unconvincing. Bellavia's commanding officers have submitted his name for consideration for the Army's Distinguished Service Cross and the Medal of Honor, the military's two highest awards. newsday.com 19 Jul 05

  • Batavia soldier receives state medal for combat valor

• 8 Area Veterans Honored with Medals James Andrecheck of Columbia, who received the New York State Conspicuous Cross with One Silver Cross Shield and Two Gold Cross Shield and the New York State Conspicuous Service Star with One Silver Shield. Chester Bednarczyk of Utica, who received the New York State Medal for Merit. David Benedict of Ilion, who received the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and the Silver Rose. Peter Cayan of Clifton Park, who received the Medal for Merit and the Conspicuous Service Star with One Silver Shield.Lance "Bud" Purdon of Ilion, who received the Medal for Merit and the Conspicuous Service Star Dorland F. Spencer of Ilion, who posthumously received the Medal for Merit and the Conspicuous Service Star. Robert Stachowiak of Frankfort, who received the Medal for Merit with One Silver Shield. Angelo M. Staffo of Little Falls, who received the Conspicuous Service Cross with One Gold Cross Shield. uticaod.com 6 Nov 05

• New York’s Adjutant General Receives Medal for Army ... Governor George E. Pataki announced the presentation of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Lt. Gen. Raymond S. McLain Medal to the New York State Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto. The medal is awarded by AUSA annually to recognize a member of the National Guard who best contributes towards the seamless integration of the Guard and Army Reserve into Army operations. “I can think of no leader of Soldiers more deserving for this honor than Joe Taluto,” Governor Pataki said.  “From his leadership of our New York National Guard military response in the weeks following September 11th, 2001 to his command of an Army Combat Task Force in Iraq, General Taluto knows how to build effective teams and make them succeed.” Maj. Gen. Taluto, then commander of the New York National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division, represented the first Army National Guard division commander deployed to a combat theater of operation since the Korean War.  Taluto commanded the division’s Task Force Liberty during its historic mobilization, training, and deployment for combat operations in Iraq fighting the Global War on Terrorism. blackanthem.com 6 Oct 06

• MN Native Honored For Efforts In JetBlue Landing A Minnesota native has received one of North Carolina's highest honors for successfully landing a JetBlue plane with broken landing gear. Scott Burke, 46, brought down the plane in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 21 without harming any of its 140 passengers. The emergency started soon after takeoff from Burbank, Calif., when the crew noticed a caution light indicating a problem with the landing gear. North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley presented Burke with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Watch the video of the landing  wcco.com 3 Nov 05

Ohio

• Ohio Military Hall of Fame

• Area veteran to be inducted, receive medal Some 30 years after the end of his Vietnam War service, Joe Sepesy of Boardman will receive the Ohio Medal of Valor and be inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for distinguishing himself as an Army helicopter pilot. Sepesy, an Army chief warrant officer, served three tours in Vietnam, accumulating 2,200 combat hours and suffering a broken back when the helicopter he co-piloted was shot down. Having received two Air Medals for valor, Sepesy said he recently learned that a third one, which he hasn't received, is shown in his service record. He also received three Bronze Stars and three Army commendation medals and was nominated for two Distinguished Flying Crosses. In addition, he received 74 awards for the Air Medal — one for each 25 hours of combat flying time. Youngstown Vindicator, OH - 1 Apr 2003

• Branham awarded for valor Sergeant Rex W. Branham of the Adams County Sheriff's Office has received the Ohio Attorney General's 2006 Distinguished Law Enforcement Valor Award. On Sept. 5, 2005, Branham was responding to a call of a male subject pointing a gun at another person at a residence on Tulip Road near Lynx. Prior to Branham's arrival, the caller advised dispatch that the male subject had left the scene and gave a description of the vehicle. Branham observed and attempted to stop the vehicle on state Route 348. At that time, the suspect exited his vehicle and began shooting at Branham with an assault rifle. The cruiser was struck several times, causing it to become partially disabled. Two projectiles hit the front of the vehicle and one penetrated the windshield, just to the right of Branham's head. As Branham returned fire, the suspect returned to his vehicle and rammed the front of the cruiser with the rear of his full-size pickup truck. The suspect then fled the area with Branham pursuing in his partially disabled cruiser at a slow rate of speed. The suspect then turned his vehicle around and rammed the cruiser head on at a high rate of speed, causing severe damage to both vehicles, forcing the cruiser over an embankment and pinning Branham in his cruiser. Suffering from life-threatening injuries, Branham had to be extricated by the Jaws of Life and was air-lifted to the University of Cincinnati Hospital. He has undergone numerous surgeries and is now proceeding with intensive rehabilitation, hoping to return to duty. peoplesdefender.com 10 Dec 06

Oklahoma

• Cross of Valor recipient Merle Inman, U.S. Army veteran, was one of 18 Oklahoma veterans awarded the Oklahoma Cross of Valor. Along with Inman, Oklahoma veterans Richard Knoblock, Wallace Tipsword, Arnol I. Sellers, Billie Jay Ferguson, William G. Eastman, Leroy D. Hess Jr., Jay E. Fimple Sr., Raymond J. Baker, Jack W. Leyh, Henry C. Wachtman Jr., Russell N. Knight, Carl D. Edwards, Charles E. Brooks, Harold DeLoss Monlux, Cullie Cliff Stone, Morton Willoughby and Jesse James Brashers, were all awarded the Oklahoma Cross of Valor. The Oklahoma Cross of Valor is awarded to Oklahoma natives who were prisoners of war. claremoreprogress.com 7 May 05

Oregon

• Oregon Military Department Records Guide, 1847-1986 View summary of the major types of records, overall date spans and quantities, and useful research information. Browse descriptions of Oregon Military Department records with series title, functions, date spans, quantity, and related information. Find Web resources related to the Oregon Military Department. Dec 03

• Daley reintroduces bill for civilian medal State Rep. Peter J. Daley wants the state to bestow new civilian medals of honor to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Daley, D-California, also wants the medal to honor passengers of United Airlines Flight 93, who fought with terrorists that hijacked the plane Sept. 11, 2001, causing it to crash into a rural hillside in Somerset County. "It's times like these that we pause and recognize the many heroic efforts put forth by commonwealth residents," Daley stated in a Thursday news release. "And yet as a state, Pennsylvania has no civilian honor that can be presented to these individuals." After the crash of Flight 93, Daley proposed a law creating a gubernatorial medal, similar to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The medals would have been presented posthumously to the Flight 93 passengers. The law passed the state House unanimously but was stalled in the state Senate. This week, Daley reintroduced House Bill 1120 with 79 co-sponsors and it is awaiting House action. The bill calls for the creation of an advisory board that would design the medal. The board would then seek private donations to pay for them to be presented annually by the governor. Washington Observer Reporter, PA - 14 Apr 2003
• Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Presents Awards During PA National Guard Day at Capitol Governor Rendell, with Adjutant General Jessica L. Wright, helped present the Purple Heart to Sgt. George W. Stratton and Spc. David J. Peterson, who were injured in Iraq when an Improvised Explosive Device detonated near their vehicle during a convoy on Feb. 17. Stratton and Peterson are the first members of the Pennsylvania National Guard to receive Purple Hearts since World War II. To date, 26 members of the Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers have been wounded in action. Governor Rendell also presented the Pennsylvania Cross of Valor to Staff Sgt. Scott Sheroky. On May 7, Sheroky rescued Allen Schwartz from drowning in Marquette Lake at Fort Indiantown Gap. Sheroky had just returned from a deployment in Afghanistan. Governor Rendell also awarded the Bronze Star to Chief Master Sgt. Sam Varnicle of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, who performed meritorious achievement in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. biz.yahoo.com 8 Jun 04

• Cimino receives Pa. Commendation Medal Frank Cimino of South Pear Street, was honored by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Military Affairs with the Pennsylvania Commendation Medal. Cimino was honored for his services to veterans, state, and national community programs and projects. Cimino, an honorary brigadier general, is a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, peacetime service and the Cold War. For his military services, he had been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Soldiers Medal with V-for-Valor for saving between 25 to 40 fellow soldiers’ lives, the Bronze Star Medal and an Army Commendation with Oak Leaf Cluster. zwire.com 21 Feb 05

• National Guardsman honored for saving lives On Saturday, Sept. 17, 2004, Sergeant Richard Lawrence was saving lives. On that fateful day, Lawrence was at work when he received a call from his wife, telling him that the area was beginning to flood. When he went to assess the situation, he found that firefighters were having trouble driving trucks in the water. "They saw an ambulance floating down the street," Lawrence said.Lawrence informed local authorities that he had access to a 26-ton truck, which was capable of navigating the rising water. He and his daughter went to the National Guard facility in Shadyside and retrieved the vehicle. Lawrence drove to Carnegie, pulling stranded residents from deadly flood waters. The rescuers used a palletized loading system, or PLS, vehicle to traverse the waters, which had already surpassed 5 feet. Over the next 14 hours, Lawrence, his daughter and several others, including members of the borough's police and fire departments, brought 236 people to safety. While the rescuers were working, Lawrence saw a car roll over. He used the PLS to stop traffic, got out and freed the overturned vehicle's occupants. Exactly one year later, Lawrence was honored for his "act of valor above the ordinary gallantry." At the Carnegie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Bureau, he was presented with the Pennsylvania Cross for Valor. The award, which was approved by Gov. Ed Rendell, is given to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard who exhibit a high degree of heroism. It is the highest award possible in the commonwealth's national guard. gatewatnewspapers.com 21 Sep 05

• West People News Gov. Ed Rendell, authorized by the military code, awarded the Pennsylvania Cross for Valor to Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Richard F. Lawrence, of Carnegie. He assisted the Carnegie Volunteer Fire & Rescue Bureau during the flooding from Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, helping in the rescue of more than 200 residents. The award acknowledges his "act of valor above the ordinary gallantry." post-gazette.com 3 Nov 05

• Pfc. Jason C. Keller given Recruiting and Retention Medal Pfc. Jason C Keller was recently awarded the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Medal. Keller is a member of Headquarters Battery 1st Battalion 109th Field Artillery. He works in the battery supply section. The Recruiting and Retention Medal is awarded to officers and enlisted soldiers who distinguish themselves in support of the Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Program. Keller referred two prospective enlistees, who subsequently enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. timesleader.com 29 Nov 05

• Medals ordered The wait is almost over for Cumberland County Pennsylvania veterans of the Vietnam War, who have never been formally recognized locally for service to their country. County commissioners will present a commemorative medal to Vietnam veterans. cumberlink.com 16 Apr 05

• Pennsylvania Army & Air National Guard Commendation Medal Authorized 27 May 1949 as a ribbon bar only, until about 1975 or so when the planchet was authorized and it became a medal. It is awarded for “commendable service” to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to any member of the National Guard, State Guard, or any component of the US Armed Forces or their reserve components. Bruce Dorsey

• Rhode Island marine to receive star medal today Lance Corporal Edward Streker will receive the Rhode Island Star Medal for his actions during the bombing of a Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, in October 1983. abc6.com 14 Nov 03

• Governor speasks at Morgan funeral; presents TN Medal of Valor It is my honor to present the Tennessee Medal of Valor to Mrs.Morgan in honor of her husband, Wayne “Cotton” Morgan, and the life he led in the service of the citizens of Tennessee. wbir.com 12 Aug 05

• Medals & Ribbons of the Texas Military Forces

• Texas Military Forces - Medals & Ribbons

• Guardsman gets distinguished service medal State First Sgt. Major Clyde Worrell visited the Lufkin National Guard to recognize Angelina County native First Sgt. Jesse D. Landers for 39 years of service in the U.S. armed forces with the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal. A lifelong Pollok resident, Landers was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965 and sent to Vietnam. A few years later, back in Texas, Landers chose to complete his six-year obligation in the Texas Army National Guard. He joined the local battalion in 1968. lufkindailynews.com 5 Dec 04

• Choctaw Code Talkers to be Honored by TX Military Forces The Texas Military Forces will honor the Choctaw "code talkers" of World War I during events on Camp Mabry Sept. 16. Less well known than the Navaho code talkers in the Pacific theater of operations in World War II, the Choctaws pioneered the U.S. military's use of a Native American language to baffle enemy code-breakers. Lt. Gen. Charles G. Rodriguez, Adjutant General of Texas, will present 18 Lone Star Medals of Valor to the families of the Choctaw code talkers. Attending the presentation will be family members of the Choctaw code talkers and officials of the Choctaw Nation. There will also be a special dedication of the Choctaw code talkers exhibit at the Brig. Gen. John C.L. Scribner Military Forces Museum on Camp Mabry. During World War I, Choctaw Soldiers were organized into Company E of the 142nd Infantry Division, part of the Texas National Guard's 36th Infantry Division. While on the Western Front in France, an officer overheard two Choctaw Soldiers talking to each other in their own language. Since American units had suffered losses because the Germans were able to listen to their radio conversations, the thought struck him that none of the Germans would understand the Choctaws' language. Eight Choctaws were quickly trained to become radio communicators, then six more. They developed a code that used Choctaw words for certain military terms and were assigned to different headquarters. During the German's major 1918 offensive in the Meuse-Argonne region, their communications resulted in a successful counterattack against the Germans, whose offensive - their last - ultimately failed. The Lone Star Medal of Valor, the second highest decoration awarded by Texas Military Forces, will be the first U.S. military medal to recognize the service of the Choctaw code-talkers. kten.com 15 Aug 07
• 40 years later, fallen Marine gets Texas Medal of Honor Gov. Rick Perry presented the Texas Medal of Honor to the mother of a U.S. Marine who was killed 40 years ago to the day in Vietnam. Perry came to the hometown of Alfredo "Freddy" Gonzalez to bestow the state's highest honor on Edinburg's most revered war hero. No less than a street, an elementary school and an American Legion post bear his name in Edinburg, as well as the guided missile destroyer, the USS Alfredo Gonzalez. "You gave the most important gift that a mother can give, and that is your son," Perry told Dolia Gonzalez. "I thank God that each generation produces Americans like Freddy Gonzalez. "He died during his second tour in Vietnam. Gonzalez, a platoon leader, had already been injured by enemy fire, but on Feb. 4, 1968, he held back an enemy advance and destroyed an enemy rocket position before being killed. He was 21. Gonzalez was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1969. The Texas Medal of Honor has been awarded to five servicemen before Gonzalez. chron.com 5 Feb 08

• Lone Star Medal of Valor Winners On May 27, 2007, during some of the worst flooding in recent memory, National Guard Soldiers were standing ready to help fellow Texans in need. While many of the evacuation efforts were concentrated on the ground, four members of C Company, 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion found a higher calling. At a ceremony At Camp Mabry on Jan. 24, 1st Lt. Melissa Macintyre, Chief Warrant Officer 4 David L. Torres, Sgt. 1st Class Juan J. Rendon and Staff Sgt. Michael L. Faulk were awarded the Lone Star Medal of Valor, the state's second-highest award, in recognition of their "extraordinary acts of courage" while in service to the military forces and citizens of Texas. blackanthem.com 8 Feb 08

Utah

• Huntsman honors Utah Guardsmen Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. presented Spc. Erick Lund a Purple Heart for injuries suffered in Iraq in July. Two soldiers also received the Utah Cross for bravery or life-saving, according to Maj. Hank McIntire. sltrib.com 11 Sep 05

• Utah guardsman to get medal for bravery A Utah National Guard soldier is being honored with a state medal for bravery based on his actions away from the battlefield. Guard spokesman Hank McIntire says Sgt. Phillip McClure of Springville witnessed a traffic accident and then was the first on the scene. McClure freed the motorist from a burning vehicle and administered first aid. For his quick reaction, skill and heroism McClure will receive the Utah Cross. localnews8.com 29 Sep 09

• Vermont honors veterans with service medals
The state of Vermont is honoring some of its military veterans. Governor James Douglas presented more than 100 state service medals to a group of veterans. The state first began issuing the medals in 2001. Since then more than 3,000 have been issued. capitalnews9.com 14 Jun 04

• Some facts about the Vermont Veterans, Distinguished Service Medals Vermont may be eligible for the Vermont Veterans Medal or the Vermont Distinguished Service Medal. To qualify for the Vermont Veterans Medal, the veteran must have been a Vermont resident when he / she entered the military, must have had an honorable discharge or have died prior to separation, must have served at least two years and, if National Guard or Reserves, must have been mobilized and  brought on active duty during a  period of conflict. In order to qualify for the Vermont Distinguished Service Medal, the veteran must have been a Vermont resident when he/she entered the military, must have received an honorable discharge or have died prior to separation and must have served in a combat theatre.  The State of Vermont has military discharge records of most veterans who entered the military from Vermont; however, if for some reason the discharge papers are  missing, the applicant must provide them. These medals are available to veterans who entered the military while a resident of  Vermont. The medal can be mailed to the veteran or to the next of kin or can be  presented in a ceremony. For more information, contact the State Veterans Affairs Office at 118 State Street, Montpelier, Vt. 05620-4401, or call toll free at  888-666-9844 or me at  527-7694. thecountycourier.com 28 Jul 05

• State of Vermont Patriots Medal

Virginia

• Virginia Governor's National Service Medal Governor Warner Awards Virginia National Guard Members with Governor’s National Service Medal “This medal recognizes the service of these soldiers and airmen, as well as the many sacrifices they and their families have made in service to their Commonwealth and country since the terror attacks of 9/11,” Governor Warner said. “With their unique dual role of serving Virginia and the nation, we all owe the men and women of the Virginia National Guard our appreciation, and the Governor’s National Service Medal honors this commitment today and for years to come.” The front side of the medal features the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with the words “VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD” and “FOR COMMONWEALTH AND COUNTRY,” while the reverse features a dogwood blossom and the words “GOVERNOR’S NATIONAL SERVICE MEDAL.” The ribbon and drape consist of a band of solid blue, and a band of red and white stripes, to symbolize the Virginia and United States flags. Gov. Warner Gives Medals To Guard Members Gov. Mark R. Warner honored 40 members of the Virginia National Guard on Friday with the Governor's National Service Medal during a ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial. The new state award was created to recognize the service of Guard members called to active federal service since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. More than 5,600 Virginia National Guard members have been called to active duty since 9/11. Most of them will receive the medal from their unit commanders at future events. wjla.com11 Nov 05

 Washington State:

• Four get state's first Medal of Valor Awarding the Washington State Medal of Valor for the first time, Gov. Christine Gregoire and the Legislature honored four heroes who risked their lives to save others. Jim Swett of Sedro-Woolley, Greg Meinhold of Everett and Travis Jackson and Dennis Kinsey of Clark County all qualified for the medal, established in 1999. seattletimes.nwsource.com 21 Feb 06

  • Washington State Medal of Valor -Regulations apps.leg.wa.gov

  • Dunbar to receive state Medal of Merit Already a pioneer in space travel, Bonnie Dunbar finds herself breaking new ground again today, this time as Yakima County's first recipient of the Washington State Medal of Merit. Dunbar, who was born and raised in Outlook, has flown in space five times and logged more than 50 days total in space. In 1995 she became the president and CEO of the Museum of Flight in Seattle. Other recipients are Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Linda Buck, famed glass artist Dale Chihuly and former Gov. Dan Evans. Additionally, the state Medal of Valor will be given at the same ceremony to Timothy Boursaw and Rick Bowers of Arlington, Alana Schutt of Lynnwood and Edward Marsette of Auburn. That medal is given to people who risk injury or death to save the life of another. Recipients of the and Medal of MeritMedal of Valor are among the state's highest achievers, Gregoire said in a news release. "They are true examples of the Washington way, going above and beyond to serve and help your neighbors and fellow citizens," she said in the release. Though Dunbar is the first Yakima County recipient, she is not the first from the Yakima Valley. Kathleen Ross of Prosser was honored with the Medal of Merit in 1995 for her role in founding Heritage College, now Heritage University. yakima-herald.com 24 Jan 07
  • State honors eight Washingtonians for valor, merit
  • NW Briefs | Lute to be honored for valor
• Governor and Secretary of State Award Medals Struck by Northwest ...The Medal of Valor for uncommon courage in the act of saving another's life was presented to Timothy Bourasaw and Rick Bowers of Arlington; Alana Schutt of Lynnwood, and Edward D. Marsette of Auburn. The Medal of Merit in recognition of a lifetime of extraordinary achievement was presented to Linda B. Buck, Ph. D., Dale Chihuly, Bonnie J. Dunbar, Ph. D., and former Washington Governor Dan Evans. emediawire.com 26 Jan 07 

• Ex-congressman, ambassador gets state's top honor The former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and three other renowned Washington residents received the highest civilian honor bestowed by the state, Washington State Medal of Merit. Tom Foley, a Spokane Democrat who served as House speaker from 1989 to 1995 as well as U.S. ambassador to Japan under President Clinton. The other recipients were: Dr. Lee Hartwell, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize for Science, and president and director of Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Helmut Braunsteiner, a longtime veterans' advocate and founder of the Veterans' Independent Enterprise of Washington, a nonprofit agency that rehabilitates drug-addicted veterans. Braunsteiner, a Tacoma resident, died last year. Ernest Gann, an author, screenwriter and preservationist. Gann, who lived on San Juan Island, died in 1991. The new award winners join 18 other recipients of the Medal of Merit since it was established by the Legislature in 1986. (Article contains list of all previous recipients) The Olympian, WA 10 Jul 03

• West Virginia Civil War Medals In 1866, the state of West Virginia authorized the minting of over 26,000 medals to honor its Union Civil War soldiers. Today, over 4,000 medals remain unclaimed. Dec 03

   
• US Army National Guard Sites
(The Ultimate List of Official US Army National Guard Unit Websites)

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The Ultimate List of Official US Air National Guard Unit Websites)

• US Army Reserve WebSite

Police/Fire/Corrections Medals

• Danbury Police Department - Departmental Decorations

• Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor  - H.R. 46 (McCollum, R-FL), the "Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 1999," establishes a medal to be awarded in the name of Congress to a public safety officer for extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty; S. 39 (Stevens, R-AK), the ‘Public Safety Medal of Valor Act," is similar to the McCollum bill described above and would establish a medal awarded by the President in the name of Congress to a public safety officer for extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty. The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Passes the House (April, 1999)  

• Hartford Connecticut Police Department Awards

•  Sacramento Rookie Cop nets honors May,2001

• Seattle Police Officers Honoured

• Ventura (California) Peace Officers Association – Medal of Valor Awarded  
• New York Police Department 

  • Medal of Honor

  • Purple Shield Medal

  • Combat Cross

  • Medal of Valor

  • NYPD Officers awarded Medals (Sep 00)

  • NYPD Officers awarded Medals (Sep 99) More

  • NYPD Officers awarded Medals (Sep 97)

  • NYPD Officers awarded Medals (Sep 96)  

  • New York Police Department Memorial (List of Medal Recipients)

  • British Honours for New York’s Finest (New York mayor Rudolf Giuliani is to be awarded an honorary knighthood, while police commissioner Bernard Kerik and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen are to be awarded honorary CBEs) (Oct 01)

  • Solemn Salute to 30 of City’s Finest (New York Police Dept awards Medals of Honor and Medal of Valor) More  (Dec 01)
  • Police honor officers' Sept. 11 actions
  The New York Police Department awarded its highest honor Friday to three officers who risked their lives to save other officers from the ruins of the World Trade Center. Detectives Patrick McGee and Scott Strauss of the elite Emergency Service Unit received the department's Medal of Honor for refusing orders to abandon the rescue of two Port Authority police officers trapped beneath debris after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Officer Judith Hernandez received the medal for saving a fellow NYPD officer from the subterranean ruins of the south tower. Dozens of other officers received department medals during the NYPD's annual Medal Day ceremony (Jan 03)
  • Strauss Awarded Medal of Honor
  New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly honored three members of the New York City Police Department with its highest honor, the Medal of Honor, for heroics displayed during the attack on the World Trade Center. Among the honorees were Detective Patrick McGee, Police Officer Judith Hernandez and Detective Strauss of Mineola. (Jan 03)

  • Furor over 9/11 medal A Port Authority police officer who was the last man out from the Twin Towers rubble is blasting a Chester village sergeant, saying he has disgraced the memory of 9/11 New York City and Port Authority cops. Sgt. Jim Thornton has misled the public into believing that he got a Medal of Honor similar to officers who died or nearly died in the 9/11 attacks, retired Port Authority Officer John McLoughlin of Goshen says. This Battle of the Badges was set off by an Oct. 7 political advertisement in The Chronicle, a local weekly newspaper. Thornton, a Democrat running for Goshen Town Board, listed among his qualifications: "9/11 Police Medal of Honor Recipient." But McLoughlin, who is one of only five officers living to receive a Medal of Honor from either the NYPD or the Port Authority police for their actions during 9/11, called Thornton's claim a "disgrace." The criteria for the NYPD and the Port Authority Medal of Honor are the same, going only to those who died or nearly died in the line of duty. The medal, created in the late 1800s, is the highest NYPD honor. It is awarded for acts of "gallantry and valor performed above and beyond the call of duty, with full knowledge of the risk involved." Thirty-seven Port Authority police officers and 26 NYPD police officers received the medal posthumously for their actions in the 9/11 attacks. The medal that Thornton referred to was presented by the Village of Chester to four officers, including Thornton, for driving to New York City and helping with traffic control after the Twin Towers collapsed. Chester's Medal of Honor goes to officers who show "an outstanding act in the line of duty, with great personal risk involved." recordonline.com 5 Nov 05

  • Boy grieves as hero dad honored Seven-year-old Jacob O'Shea was proud of two things yesterday: He lost his two front teeth and his mom let him carry his dad's FDNY Medal of Valor. The medal honors his father, James O'Shea, 41, a Queens firefighter assigned to Ladder 127 who died of a heart attack Sept. 27, 2003, after battling an arson blaze in Queens. O'Shea was the first firefighter to die in the line of duty since the World Trade Center attacks. nydailynews.com 7 Oct 04

  • This Medal of Honor was given to the families of the 37 PAPD Heroes

    New York State Shields Medal of Valor

    New York - New Jersey Port Authority Police Department No police department in this nation's history lost as many officers in a single incident as did the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department on September 11, 2001. This page is dedicated to the memory of all the 37 brave and fearless members of the Port Authority Police Department, whose selfless actions and incredible courage in the face of extreme personal risk, made sure that others escaped the World Trade Center, while sacrificing their own lives, so others could live.

  • Bravest award Medals For the first time since Sept. 11, 2001, the Fire Department handed out its annual awards for the bravest acts of heroism in 2002. Mayor Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta presented symbolic World Trade Center medals to three firefighters and an EMS worker. They accepted the medals on behalf of those who survived and helped with the rescue and recovery effort. The FDNY's highest honor was given to Battalion Chief John Pritchard, a 33-year veteran who rescued a baby from a burning apartment in Flatbush. The Medal Day ceremony was canceled last year as the department tried to recover from the attack New York Post, NY - 5 Jun 2003
  • Two deputies earn Medal of Valor Two Jefferson County Kentucky sheriff's deputies have been awarded special medals for their actions. Deputy Richard Keabler, an Air Force reservist who has been on active duty since September 2001, received the Medal of Valor and the Life Saving Medal for rescuing a woman from a burning car last June near Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Deputy David Dobson received the Medal of Valor for evacuating residents from homes last August near a ruptured gas main on 21st Street. The deputies were among 17 people and two units from the sheriff's office honored last night for their community service at the County Awards and Recognition program. Medal of Exceptional Service -- Ted Lawrence and Jeffrey Glass; deputies Jerry Adams, Jim Hunt, Jesse Foley, Les Russell; and sergeants Pete Burkey, Kim Kiefer, Dave Schoengart and Gerald Bates. Louisville Courier Journal, KY Mar 03

  • Reservist awarded Medal of Valor Reserve Special Agent Dan McNally receives the New York Police Department's Medal of Valor from Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Jan. 17. McNally, whose regular job is that of NYPD Bomb Squad detective, received the medal for his heroic actions on Sept. 11, 2001, at the site of the World Trade Center attacks. He has been on active duty with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations since January 2002. (Photo by Scott H. Spitzer) | High-res version of this photo (Jan 03)

• Award for bravery NYPD Sergeant, Patrick O’Boyle, was awarded a Combat Cross Medal for bravery and heroism from the Mayor of New York, Mike Bloomberg last month after he miraculously survived being shot in the head and being fired at 15 times by a criminal in Harlem in July 2005. As well as being shot in the head, Sgt O’Boyle was also shot in the leg and in the upper groin area and still has fragments of bullets in his body. During his police career, he received numerous medals and was described by Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly as a ‘true New York hero’. mayonews.ie 4 Jul 07

• Firefighters hope to rescue medal A prestigious FDNY prize, awarded in 1918, was pulled off eBay this weekend by two Florida collectors. Two Florida men who sell collectibles are running into opposition from city firefighters in their bid to sell a highly prized medal on an Internet auction site. The two men said they bought a 1918 James Gordon Bennett Medal, the highest medal of valor in the city Fire Department, for $100 in a store in St. Petersburg, Fla. The medal, which is usually given to one firefighter each year, was awarded to Lt. Francis Blessing of Manhattan's Rescue Co. 1 after he and other firefighters pulled two men to safety from a burning submarine in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1918. The collectors put the medal up for sale on eBay, and the top bid had reached $4,650 before they pulled the item Sunday after complaints. The medal carries as much significance for firefighters as the Medal of Honor carries for members of the armed services. The medal was established in 1869 by James Gordon Bennett, the editor and publisher of the New York Herald. newsday.com 22 Mar 05

• State of Illinois Law Enformcement Medal of Honor Officer Marc Bregman Awarded the State of Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor. invillapark.com  Illinois awards 13 officers with the prestigious Law Enforcement Medal of Honor 2005 Recipients. illinois.gov Illinois awards 18 Illinois officers with the prestigious Law Enforcement Medal of Honor 2004 Recipients. illinois.gov

• O ’ Reilly receives Medal of Merit for rest stop arrest
Lt. Stephen M. O’Reilly awarded the Massachusetts State Police’s "Medal of Merit". O’Reilly was recognized for his role in arresting 39-year-old sex offender Paul J. Leahy in a Burger King restroom on Route 24 for the murder of 30-year-old Alexandra Zapp of Newport, R.I.. The Medal of Merit is awarded for "acts of outstanding achievement," McGovern said. O’Reilly was also awarded the American Police Hall of Fame’s Medal and Citation for Excellent Arrest last October in connection with the case. He also has a state police Medal of Lifesaving. He and two other troopers pulled a man out of a burning car, lodged against a guardrail on Route 28 in Braintree. Taunton Gazette, MA - 9 Apr 2003

• Dixon native to receive Medal of Valor in McHenry County A Dixon native will receive the McHenry County Illinois Chiefs of Police Association Medal of Valor for action above and beyond the call of duty in saving lives in a house fire on May 17, 2001. Sauk Valley Newspapers, IL - 10 May 2003

• Officers who killed armed man among 34 receiving medals Tucson Arizona Police today will give Medals of Valor to a sergeant, three officers and a retired captain who risked their lives during a chase last year that ended with the shooting death of an armed suspect. The Unit Medal is for police projects that have a significant, positive impact on the community. Medals of Service are for exceptionally good judgment, initiative and competence and sustained records of outstanding or distinguished service. Medals of Merit are for meritorious contributions that greatly benefit the department. Medals of Valor are for conspicuous personal gallantry. Tucson citizen, AZ - 24 Jul 2003
• Auburn, WA officers awarded Medals of Valor Officers Andy Suver and Greg Wood were awarded Medals of Valor for the courage they exhibited earlier this month in capturing a fleeing felon armed with three guns. King County Journal Newspapers, WA - 22 Jul 2003

• St. Louis County Police Department Citizen and Officer Recognition The purpose of an award is to recognize citizens and police officers who have distinguished themselves by performing some notable act or service in furtherance of law enforcement and community betterment. The following awards have been presented to our officers and the citizens we have sworn to Serve and Protect. Apr 03

• New Mexico State Police Officer Brian Burke wears the state New Mexico Department of Public Safety Medal of Valor he received and holds a certificate commending him for his actions a year ago when he was shot in the hand and shot a suspect outside a Carlsbad club. Carlsbad Current Argus, NM - 29 May 2003

• The highest honor: A medal for slain deputy Valencia County Sheriff's Deputy Damacio Montaño died in the early morning hours of Oct. 6, 2002. Eight months after his death, his memory and his sacrifice were honored in Washington D.C. at the National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial. With memories and heartache still fresh, Montaño's family traveled to the nation's capitol on May 12 to accept the Fraternal Order of Police's National Medal of Honor on his behalf. Socorro El Defensor Chieftain, NM - 27 May 2003

• Twice-decorated police sergeant cops highest honor from state  Boston police Sgt. Charles Byrne was awarded the Medal of Honor because he took a bullet in the stomach on New Year's Day 2003 but still managed to assist the partners who were under fire from a trigger-happy gunman. Byrne received the second-highest award, the Medal of Valor, twice, in 1995 and 2000. In 1993, he shot a suspect that had just fired at his partner, and in 1999, he pursued a gunman shooting into a crowd and then he tended to a victim. Other officers who received awards yesterday include: Medal of Honor - Officers Jason Kooken, David Noyes and Michael Purvis of the Amesbury Police Department, and officers Dennis Cogavin, Robert Welby, Paul Bercume, Albert Christie, James Harris and James Morrissey of the Boston Police Department. Medal of Valor - Sgt. Charles Daly and officers Daran Edwards, Thomas Sullivan, Robert Cappucci and Adam Gill of Boston; Sgt. Richard Tapper and officer Steven Kelly of the Quincy Police Department; officer James St. Croix of the MBTA Police; Sgt. Robert McCarthy and Trooper William Cameron of the state police. Merit Awards - Officers Alvin Holder, Earl Jacob, Eric McPherson, Michael Doyle, Michael Mylett, James Griffin and Sgt. John Danilecki of BPD and officers Chi Keung and Richard Lum of the MBTA Police. news.bostonherald.com 6 Oct 04

• Broken Link - For information purposes Only:
  • Medal Bid for Fallen Chaplain (Sen. Charles Schumer yesterday called on President Bush to award the Medal of Freedom to Rev. Mychal Judge, the Fire Department chaplain who perished in the collapse of the Twin Towers while ministering to fallen firefighters) (Nov 01)

  • NYPD to Honor Sept 11 Heroes (Those who died will be posthumously given the Medal of Honor, the department's highest award) (Nov 01)

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• New York City Department of Corrections – Medals Awarded (Dec 97)

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• Flap Over Medal for 9/11 Retiree Heroes A bill awarding Medals of Valor to three retired firefighters who died in the World Trade Center attacks should be vetoed by Gov. Pataki because it breaks with Fire Department tradition, Mayor Bloomberg said. The three retired firefighters - James Corrigan, William Wren and Phillip Hayes - all were employed as fire safety workers in the WTC complex. Corrigan was the fire safety director. Families of the three men have campaigned to have the FDNY recognize the heroes with posthumous Medals of Valor and inscribe their names on the Wall of Honor at the Ladder 10/Engine 10 firehouse on Liberty Street - joining the names of the 343 active-duty firefighters who perished. The legislation was sent to Pataki after passing both houses of the state Legislature. In urging the governor to veto the measure, Bloomberg's office said there's a 141-year FDNY policy of presenting the medal only to actively employed firefighters who die in the line of duty. "Since 1865, the FDNY has maintained a tradition of awarding the Medal of Valor only to FDNY personnel who died in the line of duty while in active-employment status for the FDNY. The same is true for the memorial plaques on the Wall of Honor," said Bloomberg's legislative director, Anthony Piscitelli. "It is the established policy of the FDNY that retired members who died in situations related to fire activity should not be honored in the same manner as active-duty personnel killed in the line of duty." Piscitelli noted that FDNY brass and a "vast majority" of the 11,000 firefighters support that tradition. Corrigan's widow, Marie, said she was upset that Bloomberg was trying to kill the bill and prevent recognition for the three men. "It's pretty sad. I don't get it," she said. "It's unfortunate that this legislation has to be written at all. "These three men gave their lives working under the direction of the Fire Department. They worked in the evacuation efforts just like the rest of the firefighters. They went into their 'firefighter mode' when all this happened." James Corrigan was a lieutenant and captain at Ladder Co. 10 on Liberty Street before he retired in 1994. The families of three fallen retired firefighters have collected 11,282 signatures in support of the bill. A prior state law awarded line-of-duty pension benefits to survivors of the retirees. But the city interpreted the law as not extending to "ceremonial benefits." Marie Corrigan said other organizations - such as the International Firefighters Association - have provided more recognition to the firefighter-retirees "than the city they died for." nypost.com 26 Nov 06

• United States - The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award Established - The Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award commemorates the life and career achievements of Deputy Chief Ray Downey, who lost his life while commanding rescue operations at the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001. Deputy Chief Downey was chief of rescue operations and a 39-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York. He was the most highly decorated firefighter in the history of FDNY. (Apr 02)

• Heroes for free The Town of Hempstead, NY has awarded town firefighters with the Distinguished Service Medal.
Oceanside/Island Park Herald, NY 10 Jul 03

• New York C