b. To be eligible, a service member must meet the following requirements:

(1) Must be on active duty at the time of direct participation in a Department of Defense-approved humanitarian act or operation.

(2) Must have directly participated in the humanitarian act or operation within the designated geographical area of operation and within specified time limits. "Direct participation" is defined as "hands on" activity at the site or sites of the military act or operation. Specifically excluded from eligibility for this medal are personnel or elements remaining at geographically separated military headquarters.

c. The Humanitarian Service Medal is a U.S. service medal and does not preclude or conflict with other service medals or decorations awarded on the basis of valor, achievement or meritorious service.

d. No person will be awarded more than one Humanitarian Service Medal for participation in the same military act or operation; a service star will be worn to denote direct participation in second or subsequent humanitarian acts or operations.

1. Description: A bronze medal, 1 inches in diameter, surmounted by an open hand, palm up, extending to the upper left. 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.

2. Ribbon: 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.

3. Criteria: a. The Humanitarian Service Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves by meritorious direct participation in any significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature approved by the Department of Defense. The medal is not awarded for participation in domestic disturbances involving law enforcement, equal rights to citizens, or protection of properties.

b. Service members must be on active duty at the time for direct participation. It also includes service as a cadet at the US Military Academy. Members of the National Guard are eligible provided, that use of active forces has been authorized in the act or operation.

c. Service members must have directly participated in the humanitarian act or operation within the designated geographical area of operation and within specified time limits. Specifically excluded from eligibility for this medal are personnel or elements remaining at geographically separated military headquarters.

4. Components: The following are authorized components of the Humanitarian Service Medal:

a. Medal (regular size): MIL-DTL-3943/240. NSN 8455-01-063-4674 for set containing full size medal and ribbon bar.

b. Medal (miniature size): MIL-DTL-3943/240. Available commercially.

c. Ribbon: MIL-DTL-11589/233. Available commercially.

d. Lapel Button: MIL-DTL-11484/122. Available commercially.

5. Background: a. The Humanitarian Service Medal was established by President Ford per Executive Order 11965, dated 19 January 1977. The order provided for award for participation in a military operation of a humanitarian nature subsequent to 1 April 1975. The policy and award criteria for the Humanitarian Service Medal was established by Department of Defense Directive 1348.25, dated 23 June 1977.

b. Proposed medals were submitted to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) for approval 18 April 1977 and the selected design was approved by OSD on 10 May 1977. The design by Mr. Jay Morris, The Institute of Heraldry, uses the outstretched hand with palm up as the international symbol for aid and assistance. On the reverse, the oak sprig is symbolic of strength imparted through a selfless mission to aid mankind. The color purple in the ribbon stands for self-sacrifice, white for regeneration and blue for universal friendship. In addition, the two shades of blue are the colors used in the flags of OSD.

c. A bronze star is worn on the ribbon to indicate subsequent awards of the Humanitarian Service Medal.

d. Designated operations for which the Humanitarian Service Medal may be awarded are listed in DOD Manual 1348.33 (M).

The Humanitarian Service Medal is an individual award for members of the United States Armed Forces who have distinguished themselves by meritorious, direct participation in a significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature. The emergency assistance must have been requested by the Department of State in overseas areas or by the President in CONUS.

Such direct participation must have provided immediate relief, relieve human suffering and should have saved lives. Additionally, the acts or operations must have affected the outcome of the situation in that nonaction would have produced definite consequences.

All awards of the HSM must have specific dates and must be restricted to the period of "immediate relief." Periods beyond immediate relief are considered established ongoing operations beyond the initial emergency conditions; these periods are no longer eligible for the HSM.

Award Approval Authority: Military Service Secretaries, DASD (MPP) and the DJS (for organizations reporting to or through Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff) for the Secretary of Defense. Further delegations are possible. See Chapter 6, DoD Manual 1348.33-M, Manual of Military Decorations & Awards, for further clarification.

Definitions:

Direct Participation: Being physically present at the designated location, having directly contributed to and influenced the action. Designated Location: 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 for overseas areas.

Types of Military Acts or Operations Which May Qualify for the HSM:

Assistance during national or international disasters, natural or man-made, including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, typhoons or fires. Relief to starvation areas. Personnel evacuation from an area threatened by a hostile force. Support or resettlement of refugees or evacuees. Acts or operations of a similar nature, determined by the award approval authority.

Exclusions:

Personnel remaining at geographically separated locations. Personnel assigned to the location who neither made a direct contribution nor influenced the action. Personnel assisting in domestic disturbances involving law enforcement, equal rights demonstrations or property protection.

Quick Facts about the HSM:

The HSM is worn immediately after the Armed Forces Service Medal. Service stars shall be awarded and worn on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal for subsequent awards of the HSM.

Operations in the European Theater Awarded the HSM:

Combined Task Force PROVIDE COMFORT, 5 Apr 91 - 14 Jun 91
Combined Task Force PROVIDE COMFORT, 15 Jun 91 - 15 Apr 92
Combined Task Force PROVIDE COMFORT, 16 Jun 91 - 31 Jul 93
Joint Task Force SUPPORT HOPE, 20 Jul 94 - 7 Oct 94
Operations QUICK TRANSIT I, II, III, 16 Sep 96 - 15 Dec 96
Joint Task Force NOBEL OBELISK, 25 May 97 - 6 Jun 97
Operation SHINING HOPE, 3 Apr 99 - 5 Jun 99
Operation AVID RESPONSE, 17 Aug 99 - 11 Sep 99
Operation ATLAS RESPONSE, 18 Feb 00 - 27 Mar 00

Executive Order 11965
Establishing the Humanitarian Service Medal