5/10/2010 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Department of Defense officials have approved the Humanitarian Service Medal for personnel assigned to Operation Unified Response who directly participated in humanitarian relief assistance to the people of Haiti following the 7.0 earthquake Jan. 12.
U.S. military personnel supporting Joint Task Force-Haiti for at least one day between Jan. 13 and Feb. 4 must have been assigned to the immediate area of operation within the earthquake's 41-mile radius of Port au Prince, Haiti.
Individuals who believe they are eligible for the HSM must provide source documents confirming their entitlement to the award to their unit commander or designated representative. The source documents include temporary duty orders, travel voucher, decoration citation, performance report, etc. Documents must show the operation being supported, location and duration of service in the qualifying area.
For more information on this and other Air Force recognition programs, visit the Air Force Personnel Center personnel services website or call the Air Force's 24/7 Total Force Service Center toll-free at 800-525-0102.
Comments
11/23/2011 11:00:31 PM ET This was a major operation that we all supported at my base and only those that flew into the country received the medal. A lot of ground troops spent countless hours and worked extra hard loading cargo and ensuring planes were maintained well for all of the missions. There were hundreds; trust me, I was there. I think those folks should be included in the criteria.
Rob, South Carolina
6/15/2010 8:54:34 AM ET I agree that these dates are definitely too narrow. The HSM may not give points, but it's a very meaningful medal and I was looking forward to wearing it. I think that anyone that had Operation Unified Response on their orders definitely deserve it.
Marvin, South Carolina
6/3/2010 12:07:04 PM ET I volunteered for this mission to help people not to get the medal. I was there about a week after the Feb. 4 deadline and was on the ground at the airport for 30 days. We endured aftershocks, torrential rain and hundreds of aircraft and people a day. It is a little disappointng to think that the work that was done after the Feb. 4 date does not qualify for the HSM.
Mike, washington
6/1/2010 2:55:01 AM ET Agree in part with Chris but the criteria for the medal is as follows: The Humanitarian Service Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves by meritorious direct participation in any significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature approved by the Department of Defense. The medal is not awarded for participation in domestic disturbances involving law enforcement, equal rights to citizens, or protection of properties. b. Service members must be on active duty at the time for direct participation. It also includes service as a cadet at the US Military Academy. Members of the National Guard are eligible provided that use of active forces has been authorized in the act or operation. c. Service members must have directly participated in the humanitarian act or operation within the designated geographical area of operation and within specified time limits. Specifically excluded from eligibility for this medal are personnel or (remainder of c
Bob, USA
5/30/2010 7:30:51 PM ET The Humanitarian Service Medal is for the direct response. For time periods after the window given, it should more than likely be covered by something like the Armed Forces Service Medal.
Chris, Florida
5/28/2010 10:01:01 AM ET These dates are a joke we had hundreds of folks working 24/7 throughout March providing direct relief and assistance...should expand to at least 31 March 2010
Mike, Florida
5/27/2010 12:36:23 AM ET These dates are too narrow; many are still serving there and just missed the cutoff dates. The humanitarian effort was not limited to Feb 4th. DoD needs to reconsider its criteria.
