Establishes the "War on Terror expeditionary medal" for members of the armed forces or organized militia serving abroad during the war on terror

Summary of provisions

Section 1 subdivision 1-a and 4 of section 247 of the military law, subdivision 1-a as added and subdivision 4 as amended by chapter 184 of the laws of 1998, are amended and a new subdivision 1-b is added to read as follows: 1-b (a) The governor is hereby authorized to present in the name of the legislature of the state of New York, a military decoration, to be known as the War on Terror expeditionary medal, bearing a suitable inscription, device and ribbon, all of which shall be of a suitable design, to any person (i) who is a citizen of the state of New York or (ii) who was a citizen of the state of New York while serving in the armed forces of the United States or the organized militia, and who while serving in the United States Armed Forces, defined as the army, air force, navy, marine corps or coast guard, or the organized militias served on active duty during the War on Terror. Not more than one War on Terror expeditionary medal shall be issued to anyone person; nor shall any citation be awarded or presented, under the provisions of this subdivision, to any person whose entire service subsequent to the time of the receipt of such medal shall not have been honorable. For each succeeding medal as provide d in this subdivision, such person shall be entitled to wear, as the adjutant general of the state may direct, a ribbon whose color and design shall be selected by the division of military and naval affairs. In the event of the death of any person during or subsequent to the receipt of such citation the War on Terror expeditionary medal shall be presented to such representative of the deceased as may be designated. The adjutant general shall make such rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary for the proper presentation and distribution of such decorations. (b) For the purposes of this subdivision, War on Terror shall mean deployment abroad in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, as defined by the Department of Defense, in the following designated specific geographic areas: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bosnia-Herze-govina, Bulgaria, Chad, Crete, Cyprus, Diego Garcia, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordon, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, that portion of the Arabian Sea north of ten degrees north latitude and west of 68 degrees west longitude, Bab el

Mandeb, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Agaba, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Suez, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Strait of Hormuz, and Suez Canal.

Justification

This bill provides a medal in recognition of the citizens of the State of New York who have served and those who continue to serve bravely throughout the Global War on Terror. Members of the United States Armed Forces, as defined as the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or the organized militia in both Reserve and Active Duty components deserve special recognition for the service not only to this nation but to the State of New York. This bill would allow for the War on Terror expeditionary medal to be awarded to those men and women who have endured great sacrifice to protect our nation and New York State.

Legislative history

New bill in Senate.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.