What's happening
This bill authorizes a new "Campaign Medal for Service" for New Yorkers who served in active duty in Iraq.
Why it matters
Recognizes and honors New Yorkers who served in Iraq. By authorizing a distinctive state-level campaign medal, the bill provides formal recognition from New York State for those who served in active duty in Iraq, validating their service at the state level in addition to any federal honors.
Extends eligibility to both current and former New Yorkers. The bill allows both current citizens and those who were New York residents at the time of their Iraq service to receive the medal, ensuring broader inclusivity and acknowledging the contributions of those who may have since moved out of state.
Sets standards for honorable service and next-of-kin presentation. The medal will only be awarded for honorable service, maintaining a standard of recognition, and allows for posthumous presentation to a designated representative, ensuring families of deceased veterans are included.
Brings state recognition in line with other military decorations. By specifying design, inscription, and rules for distribution, the bill formalizes the process and ensures consistency with other state awards, reinforcing the value New York places on military service.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Medal for Iraq Service
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 59
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Award Medal to Iraq Veterans
In Assembly Committee · Veterans' Affairs · Sponsor David DiPietro
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7575
IN SENATE
January 26, 2018
Introduced by Sen. GALLIVAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
AN ACT to amend the military law, in relation to providing for the "Campaign Medal for Service" to be granted to those who provided military service in Iraq
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 247 of the military law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-c to read as follows:
1-c. 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 "Campaign Medal for Service", bearing a suitable inscription, device, and ribbon, all of which shall be of 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, and who, while serving in the United States Armed Forces, defined as army, air force, navy, marine corps, or coast guard, served in active duty in Iraq. Not more than one campaign medal for service shall be issued to any one 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 provided in this section, such person shall be entitled to wear, as the chief of staff of the state may direct, a ribbon whose color and design shall be selected by the division of military affairs. In the event of the death of any person during or subsequent to the receipt of such citation the campaign medal for service shall be presented to such representative of the deceased as may be designated. The chief of staff shall make such rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary for the proper presentation and distribution of such decorations.
§ 2. Subdivision 1-a of section 247 of the military law, as added by chapter 184 of the laws of 1998, is amended to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05858-01-7
S. 7575 2
1-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 "conspicuous service star", bearing a suitable inscription, device, and ribbon, all of which shall be of 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, and who, while serving in the United States Armed Forces, defined as army, air force, navy, marine corps, or coast guard, has, or shall have received a United States unit level decoration denoting combat participation and foreign unit awards, issued from a company, regimental, brigade, or division commander, or equivalent naval unit, or issued by the President of the United States, the Congress of the United States, the United States Defense Department or the joint chiefs of staff, such as, but not limited to, a presidential unit citation or a joint meritorious unit award. Not more than one conspicuous service star shall be issued to any one 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 star shall not have been honorable. For each succeeding star as provided [herein] in this subdivision, such person shall be entitled to wear, as the chief of staff of the state may direct, a ribbon whose color and design shall be selected by the division of [miliary] military affairs. In the event of the death of any person during or subsequent to the receipt of such citation the conspicuous service star shall be presented to such representative of the deceased as may be designated. The chief of staff shall make such rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary for the proper presentation and distribution of such decorations.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the military law, in relation to providing for the "Campaign Medal for Service" to be granted to those who provided military service in Iraq
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to honor our military personnel by estab- lishing the "Campaign Medal for Service" to be granted to those who provided military service in Iraq.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends section 247 of the military law by adding a new subdivision 1-b authorizing the governor to present in the name of the legislature a military decoration known as the "Campaign Medal for Service" to be granted to those who provided military service in Iraq, is a citizen of New York or was serving in New York. Only one medal per person.
Section two establishes the effective date.
Justification
Our military personnel at war face many challenges and make great sacri- fices. The least we can do as representatives of this state is honor them for their committed service.
Legislative history
A.3652 of 2015-16 A.6479 of 2013-14 A6012 of 2011-12 A6593 of 2009-10 A6449 of 2007-08 A7904 of 2005-06 A6012 of 2011-12
Fiscal implications
Undetermined
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.