Humanitarian Service Medal
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The Humanitarian Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was created in 1977 by order of President Gerald Ford. The medal is awarded to any member of the United States military (including Reserve and National Guard members) who distinguish themselves by meritorious participation in specified military acts or operations of a humanitarian nature.
The medal is presented either as an individual decoration or as a decoration bestowed upon an entire military unit. The activities to which the Humanitarian Service Medal may be authorized are designated by the United States Department of Defense. Such activities include natural disaster relief, evacuation of non-combatants from a hostile area, or humanitarian support to refugees. The medal may not be awarded for services rendered in domestic disturbances involving law enforcement, equal rights demonstrations, or protection of property. The medal may also not be presented if the either the Armed Forces Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was presented for the same period service.
The Humanitarian Service Medal is retroactive to April 1, 1975. Multiple awards of the medal are authorized with service stars denoting additional decorations.