Humanitarian Service Medal | |
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Type | Service medal |
Awarded for | meritorious direct participation in a significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature. |
Presented by | the Department of Defense[1] |
Eligibility | U.S. military personnel |
Status | Active |
Established | Executive Order 11965, January 19, 1977 |
First awarded | 1977 (retroactive to April 1, 1975) |
Precedence | |
Next (higher) | Armed Forces Service Medal[2] |
Next (lower) | Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal[2] |
Related | Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service |
The Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM) is a military service medal of the United States Armed Forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under Executive Order 11965. The medal may be awarded to members 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.[3][4]