Humanitarian Service Medal

BACK DEVICE(s)

Description:

1. Authorized by E.O. 11965
2. May be awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States and their Reserve components who, subsequent to April 1, 1975, distinguished themselves as individuals or as members of U.S. military units or ships by meritorious, direct participation in a significant military act, or operation of a humanitarian nature. Direct participation is defined as being physically present at the designated location, having directly contributed to and influenced the action. Designated location is the immediate site(s) of the humanitarian operations as defined by the Presidential request for assistance in the United States or the Department of State (DoS) for overseas areas. When appropriate, the local commander in his or her recommendation may propose specific clarification of designated boundaries based on the intent of the Presidential or Department of State request. Specifically excluded from eligibility are Service members or elements remaining at geographically separated locations or who were assigned to the location but did not make a direct contribution to nor influenced the action. Award of the Humanitarian Service Medal does not prevent or conflict with other medals or ribbons awarded on the basis of unit achievement, or of individual valor, achievement, or meritorious service. No Service member shall be entitled to more than one award of the Humanitarian Service Medal for participation in the same military actor operation of a humanitarian nature. c. The following types of military acts or operations may qualify for award of the Humanitarian Service Medal:
   • 1. Significant assistance in the event of national or international disasters, natural or man-made, such as, but not limited to, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, typhoons, or conflagrations.
   • 2. Relief to a starvation area.
   • 3. Evacuation of personnel from an area threatened by a hostile force.
   • 4. Support or resettlement of refugees or evacuees.
   • 5. Other significant military activities, directly related to humanitarian service, as designated in Military Service regulations. These must be above and beyond routine actions. d. No more than one Humanitarian Service Medal shall be awarded to any Service member.
   • For subsequent acts or operations justifying award of the medal, service stars shall be awarded and worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal.

Background:

1. The medal is Bronze, 1  1⁄4 inches in diameter, surmounted by an open hand, palm up, extending to the upper left.
2. On the reverse is a sprig of oak in a left oblique slant between the inscription ‘‘FOR HUMANITARIAN SERVICE’’ in three horizontal lines, and ‘‘UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES’’ in an arc around the base.
3. The ribbon is 1 3⁄8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3⁄16 inch Imperial Purple 67161; 1⁄16 inch White 67101; 5⁄16 inch Bluebird 67117; 1⁄4 inch Flag Blue 67124; 5⁄16 inch Bluebird; 1⁄16 inch White; and 3⁄16 inch Imperial Purple.

The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness maintains a list of "Approved Military Decorations and Awards" which is a roster of the approved Joint DoD awards and/or operations for which the medal is authorized.
This is the Humanitarian Service Medal approved award/operations. as of the date shown in the document. You may want to verify if it has been updated at The Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness (linked above)