2004—Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title X, §1084(d)(30), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2063, renumbered item 6257 "Korea Defense Service Medal" as 6258.
2002—Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title V, §543(c)(2), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2550, added item 6257 "Korea Defense Service Medal".
Pub. L. 107–248, title VIII, §8143(c)(2)(B), Oct. 23, 2002, 116 Stat. 1570, added item 6257 "Medal of honor: presentation of Medal of Honor Flag".
2001—Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §553(b)(1)(B), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1116, added item 6256.
For extension of time for the award of decorations, or devices in lieu of decorations, for acts or services performed in direct support of military operations in Southeast Asia between July 1, 1958, and Mar. 28, 1973, see Pub. L. 93–469, Oct. 24, 1974, 88 Stat. 1422, set out as a note preceding section 3741 of this title.
The President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a medal of honor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while a member of the naval service, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty—
(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389; Pub. L. 88–77, §2(1), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 93; Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XV, §1503(b)(2), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 512.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6241 | 34 U.S.C. 354. | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §1, 40 Stat. 1056; Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 743. |
In subsection (a) the word "award" is added for clarity since the President determines the recipient, in addition to presenting the medal in the name of Congress. The words "a member of the naval service" are substituted for the words "in the naval service of the United States" for uniformity. The word "distinguishes" is substituted for the words "shall * * * distinguish" for uniformity.
In subsection (b) the words "of the medal of honor authorized on August 8, 1942" are substituted for the words "adopted pursuant to the Act approved December 21, 1861 (12 Stat. 330)" for the reason that the 1861 Act does not establish the design, and the date of formal adoption of the design of the medal is obscure. The effect of the subsection is to continue the design recognized by 34 U.S.C. 354.
1996—Par. (2). Pub. L. 104–106 inserted "or" after "an opposing foreign force;".
1963—Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged the authority to award the medal of honor, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in action involving actual conflict with an enemy, or in the line of his profession, and without detriment to the mission of his command or to the command to which attached, to permit its award for distinguished service while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party, and substituted the requirement that it be of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, for the requirement that it be the same as that authorized on August 8, 1942.
Establishment of, see Ex. Ord. No. 11448, set out as a note preceding section 1121 of this title.
The President may award a Navy cross of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor—
(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389; Pub. L. 88–77, §2(2), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 94.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6242 | 34 U.S.C. 356. | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §3, 40 Stat. 1056; renumbered §2 and amended Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 743. |
The word "award" is substituted for the word "present" to cover the determination of the recipient as well as the actual presenting of the decoration. The words "but not in the name of Congress" are omitted, since a decoration is presented in the name of Congress only if the law so directs. The words "Navy or the Marine Corps" are substituted for the words "naval service of the United States" for clarity. To be eligible for the award, a person need not be a member of the naval service, but only serving in some capacity either with the Navy or with the Marine Corps.
1963—Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged the authority to award the Navy cross, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, to permit its award for extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor, while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
The President may award a distinguished-service medal of appropriate design and a ribbon, together with a rosette or other device to be worn in place thereof, to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or the Marine Corps, distinguishes himself by exceptionally meritorious service to the United States in a duty of great responsibility.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6243 | 34 U.S.C. 355. | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §2, 40 Stat. 1056; renumbered §3 and amended Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 743. |
The word "award" is substituted for the word "present" to cover the determination of the recipient as well as the actual presenting of the decoration. The words "but not in the name of Congress" are omitted as surplusage, since a decoration is presented in the name of Congress only if Congress so directs. The words "Navy or the Marine Corps" are substituted for the words "Navy of the United States" because the provision is interpreted as authorizing the award of the medal to persons serving with the Marine Corps as well as with the Navy. The words "since the sixth day of April 1917 has distinguished" are omitted as executed. The words "United States" are substituted for the word "Government" for uniformity.
The President may award a silver star medal of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, is cited for gallantry in action that does not warrant a medal of honor or Navy cross—
(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 389; Pub. L. 88–77, §2(3), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 94.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6244 | 34 U.S.C. 356a. | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §4; added Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 743. |
The word "award" is substituted for the word "present" to cover the determination of the recipient as well as the actual presenting of the decoration. The words "but not in the name of Congress" are omitted as surplusage, since a decoration is presented in the name of Congress only if the law so directs. The words "Navy or the Marine Corps" are substituted for the words "Navy of the United States" because the provision is interpreted as authorizing the award of the medal to persons serving with the Marine Corps. The words "since December 6, 1941, has distinguished himself" are omitted as executed.
1963—Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged the authority to award a silver star medal, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in action, to permit its award for gallantry while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
The President may award a distinguished flying cross of appropriate design with accompanying ribbon to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or the Marine Corps, distinguishes himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 390.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6245 | 34 U.S.C. 364a (1st sentence, less 1st 9 words, and less 2d and 3d sentences). | July 2, 1926, ch. 721, §12 (1st sentence, less 1st 9 words, and less 2d and 3d sentences), 44 Stat. 789; July 30, 1937, ch. 545, §4, 50 Stat. 549. |
The word "award" is substituted for the word "present" to cover the determination of the recipient as well as the actual presenting of the decoration. The words "but not in the name of Congress" are omitted as surplusage, since a decoration is presented in the name of Congress only if the law so directs. The proviso of the first sentence of 34 U.S.C. 364a is omitted as executed. The words "Navy or the Marine Corps" are substituted for the words "United States Navy" because the provision is interpreted as authorizing the award of the decoration to persons serving with the Marine Corps as well as with the Navy. The words "and notwithstanding the provisions of section 14 of this Act," which are not now contained in title 34, are omitted as unnecessary. The words "since the 6th day of April, 1917, has distinguished, or who, after July 2, 1926," are omitted as executed.
(a) The President may award a medal called the "Navy and Marine Corps Medal" of appropriate design with accompanying ribbon, together with a rosette or other device to be worn in place thereof—
(1) to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or the Marine Corps, distinguishes himself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy; or
(2) to any person to whom the Secretary of the Navy, before August 7, 1942, awarded a letter of commendation for heroism, and who applies for that medal, regardless of the date of the act of heroism.
(b) The authority in subsection (a) includes authority to award the medal to a member of the Ready Reserve who was not in a duty status defined in section 101(d) of this title when the member distinguished himself by heroism.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 390; Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title V, §574(b), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1758.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6246 | 34 U.S.C. 356b. | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §5; added Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 744. |
The word "award" is substituted for the word "present" to cover the determination of the recipient as well as the actual presenting of the award. The words "but not in the name of Congress" are omitted since a decoration is presented in the name of Congress only if the law so directs. The words "including the Naval Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve" are omitted as covered by the definitions of the Navy and the Marine Corps. The last sentence, relating to additional pay, is omitted for the reason that, under the Career Compensation Act of 1949 (37 U.S.C. 231 et seq.), there is no additional pay authorized for any medal. The words "since December 6, 1941" are omitted as executed. The words "or herself" are omitted as covered by the rules of construction in 1 U.S.C. 1.
1997—Pub. L. 105–85 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).
Not more than one Navy cross, distinguished-service medal, silver star medal, distinguished flying cross, or Navy and Marine Corps Medal may be awarded to a person. However, for each succeeding act or service that would otherwise justify the award of such a medal or cross, the President may award a suitable bar, emblem, or insignia to be worn with the decoration and corresponding rosette or other device.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 390; Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title V, §561(b), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 766.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6247 | 34 U.S.C. 358. | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §5, 40 Stat. 1056; renumbered §7 and amended Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 744. |
| 34 U.S.C. 364a (2d sentence). | July 2, 1926, ch. 721, §12 (2d sentence), 44 Stat. 789; July 30, 1937, ch. 545, §4, 50 Stat. 549. |
The word "awarded" is substituted for the word "issued" for uniformity. The words "that would otherwise justify" are substituted for the words "sufficient to justify" for clarity. The word "service" is substituted for the word "achievement" for uniformity. The words "as he shall direct" are omitted as surplusage.
2013—Pub. L. 113–66 struck out "medal of honor," before "Navy cross".
(a) Except as provided in section 6246 of this title or subsection (b), no medal of honor, Navy cross, distinguished-service medal, silver star medal, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, or bar, emblem, or insignia in place thereof may be awarded to a person unless—
(1) the award is made within five years after the date of the act or service justifying the award; and
(2) a statement setting forth the act or distinguished service and recommending official recognition of it was made by his superior through official channels within three years from the date of that act or service.
(b) If the Secretary of the Navy determines that—
(1) a statement setting forth the act or distinguished service and recommending official recognition of it was made by the person's superior through official channels within three years from the date of that act or service and was supported by sufficient evidence within that time; and
(2) no award was made, because the statement was lost or through inadvertence the recommendation was not acted on;
a medal of honor, Navy cross, distinguished-service medal, silver star medal, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, or bar, emblem, or insignia in place thereof, as the case may be, may be awarded to the person within two years after the date of that determination.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 390; Pub. L. 86–582, §1(2), July 5, 1960, 74 Stat. 320.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6248 | 34 U.S.C. 360. | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §7, 40 Stat. 1056; renumbered §9 and amended Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 744. |
The words "Except as provided in section 6246 of this title" are substituted for the words "That except as otherwise prescribed herein" to identify the only exception. The words "may be awarded to a person" are substituted for the words "shall be issued to any person" for uniformity. The words "specific", "or report distinctly", and "at the time of" are omitted as surplusage. The words "bar, emblem, or insignia" are substituted for the words "or bar or other suitable emblem or insignia" for uniformity. The words "from the date of that act or service" are substituted for the word "thereafter".
1960—Pub. L. 86–582 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted "or subsection (b)" after "title", and added subsec. (b).
No medal, cross, or bar, or associated emblem or insignia may be awarded or presented to any person or to his representative if his service after he distinguished himself has not been honorable.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 390.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6249 | 34 U.S.C. 362. | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §8 (1st proviso), 40 Stat. 1057; renumbered §10 and amended Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 745. |
| 34 U.S.C. 364a (last 31 words of 3d sentence). | July 2, 1926, ch. 721, §12 (last 31 words of 3d sentence), 44 Stat. 789, July 30, 1937, ch. 545, §4, 50 Stat. 549. |
The word "associated" is substituted for the word "other" to relate the medal or cross to its emblem or insignia. The word "entire" is omitted as surplusage.
If a person who distinguishes himself dies before an award to which he is entitled is made, the award may be made and the medal, cross, or bar, or associated emblem or insignia may be presented, within five years from the date of the act or service justifying the award, to his representative as designated by the President.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 390.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6250 | 34 U.S.C. 363. | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §8 (less 1st and 2d provisos), 40 Stat. 1057; renumbered §10 and amended Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 745. |
| 34 U.S.C. 364a (3d sentence, less last 31 words). | July 2, 1926, ch. 721, §12 (3d sentence, less last 31 words), 44 Stat. 789; July 30, 1937, ch. 545, §4, 50 Stat. 549. |
The word "associated" is substituted for the word "other" to relate the medal or cross to its emblem or insignia.
The President may delegate, under such conditions as he prescribes, to flag and general officers who are commanders-in-chief or commanding on important independent duty, his authority to award the Navy cross, the distinguished-service medal, the silver star medal, or the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 391.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6251 | 34 U.S.C. 364 (less 10th, and last 47 words). | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §9 (less applicability to regulations), 40 Stat. 1057; renumbered §11 and amended Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 745. |
The term "flag officers" is used generically in 34 U.S.C. 364. Officers of the Marine Corps who meet the duty requirements, if in the equivalent grades, are, therefore, within its terms and the authority to make the awards has been delegated to such officers.
The President may prescribe regulations for the administration of the preceding sections of this chapter.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 391.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6252 | 34 U.S.C. 364 (10th, and last 47 words). | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §9 (as applicable to regulations), 40 Stat. 1057; renumbered §11 and amended Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 745. |
| 34 U.S.C. 364a (1st 9 words of 1st sentence). | July 2, 1926, ch. 721, §12 (1st 9 words of 1st sentence), 44 Stat. 789; July 30, 1937, ch. 545, §4, 50 Stat. 549. |
The words "further", "from time to time any and all rules", "orders which he shall deem necessary", and "to execute full purpose and intention thereof" are omitted as surplusage.
The Secretary of the Navy may replace without charge any medal of honor, Navy cross, distinguished-service medal, silver star medal, or Navy and Marine Corps Medal, or any associated bar, emblem, or insignia awarded under this chapter that is stolen, lost, or destroyed or becomes unfit for use without fault or neglect on the part of the person to whom it was awarded.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 391; Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §553(b)(2), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1116.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6253 | 34 U.S.C. 359 (proviso). | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §6 (proviso), 40 Stat. 1056; renumbered §8 and amended Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 744. |
The words "Secretary of the Navy may replace" are substituted for the words "Provided, That such replacement shall be made only in those cases where".
2001—Pub. L. 107–107 substituted "stolen, lost, or destroyed" for "lost or destroyed".
The Secretary of the Navy may spend from appropriations for the pay of the Navy or the Marine Corps, as appropriate, amounts necessary to provide and replace medals of honor, Navy crosses, distinguished-service medals, silver star medals, and Navy and Marine Corps Medals, and associated bars, emblems, and insignia.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 391.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6254 | 34 U.S.C. 359 (less proviso). | Feb. 4, 1919, ch. 14, §6 (less proviso), 40 Stat. 1056; renumbered §8 and amended Aug. 7, 1942, ch. 551, §1, 56 Stat. 744. |
The words "the appropriations for the pay of the Navy or the Marine Corps, as appropriate", are substituted for the words "the appropriation 'Pay, subsistence, and transportation of naval personnel' ", to identify by a general description, rather than by the specific appropriation title, the appropriation authorized to be used. Specific appropriation titles vary from one appropriation act to the next. The permanent authority contained in 34 U.S.C. 359 for the Secretary of the Navy to use appropriations available for the pay of the Navy and the Marine Corps is not affected by a change in the titles of those appropriations nor is it affected by a specific authorization in an appropriation act to use, during the life of the act, a different type of appropriation.
Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy, members of the naval service may wear, in place of commemorative or special medals awarded to them, miniature facsimiles of such medals and ribbons symbolic of the awards.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 391.)
| Revised section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 6255 | 34 U.S.C. 358a. | Apr. 25, 1935, ch. 82, 49 Stat. 162. |
The words "members of the naval service may" are substituted for the words "That authority is hereby granted to personnel of the Navy and Marine Corps" for clarity.
A person awarded a medal of honor shall, upon written application of that person, be issued, without charge, one duplicate medal of honor with ribbons and appurtenances. Such duplicate medal of honor shall be marked, in such manner as the Secretary of the Navy may determine, as a duplicate or for display purposes only.
(Added Pub. L. 107–107, div. A, title V, §553(b)(1)(A), Dec. 28, 2001, 115 Stat. 1116.)
The President shall provide for the presentation of the Medal of Honor Flag designated under section 903 of title 36 to each person to whom a medal of honor is awarded under section 6241 of this title. Presentation of the flag shall be made at the same time as the presentation of the medal under section 6241 or 6250 of this title. In the case of a posthumous presentation of the medal, the flag shall be presented to the person to whom the medal is presented.
(Added Pub. L. 107–248, title VIII, §8143(c)(2)(A), Oct. 23, 2002, 116 Stat. 1570; amended Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title X, §1062(a)(16), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2650; Pub. L. 109–364, div. A, title V, §555(a), Oct. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 2217.)
Another section 6257 was renumbered section 6258 of this title.
2006—Pub. L. 109–364 struck out "after October 23, 2002" after "section 6241 of this title" and inserted at end "In the case of a posthumous presentation of the medal, the flag shall be presented to the person to whom the medal is presented."
2002—Pub. L. 107–314 substituted "October 23, 2002" for "the date of the enactment of this section".
President to provide for the presentation of the Medal of Honor Flag to living recipients of the Medal of Honor as expeditiously as possible after Oct. 17, 2006, and for posthumous presentation to survivors of deceased recipients upon written application therefor, see section 555(b) of Pub. L. 109–364, set out as a note under section 3755 of this title.
(a) The Secretary of the Navy shall issue a campaign medal, to be known as the Korea Defense Service Medal, to each person who while a member of the Navy or Marine Corps served in the Republic of Korea or the waters adjacent thereto during the KDSM eligibility period and met the service requirements for the award of that medal prescribed under subsection (c).
(b) In this section, the term "KDSM eligibility period" means the period beginning on July 28, 1954, and ending on such date after the date of the enactment of this section as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense to be appropriate for terminating eligibility for the Korea Defense Service Medal.
(c) The Secretary of the Navy shall prescribe service requirements for eligibility for the Korea Defense Service Medal. Those requirements shall not be more stringent than the service requirements for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for instances in which the award of that medal is authorized.
(Added Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title V, §543(c)(1), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2549, §6257; renumbered §6258, Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title X, §1084(d)(30), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2063.)
The date of the enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (b), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 107–314, which was approved Dec. 2, 2002.
2004—Pub. L. 108–375 renumbered section 6257 of this title as this section.