Medals, Decorations and Honors

Del. Code tit. 20, ch. 7
in effect

Del. Code tit. 20, § 701 Conspicuous Service Cross.

(a) The Adjutant General, on behalf of the Governor, may present, in the name of the State, a Conspicuous Service Cross to any person serving in the National Guard of the State who shall have distinguished oneself in any capacity as provided in this section. (b) The Conspicuous Service Cross shall be a bronze Maltese Cross, 1 inch long, with the coat of arms of the State in miniature in the center thereof and the words “For Conspicuous Service” inscribed on the arms of the cross. The reverse shall be plain. The cross shall be suspended by a ribbon 1 3 / 8 inches in width and 1 3 / 4 inches in length of maroon with a 1 / 2 inch band of beige in the center. (c) The Conspicuous Service Cross may be awarded for heroism, meritorious service and outstanding achievement. (1) A recommendation based on heroism must clearly characterize valor, bravery or outstanding courage. The act may be a single event or a closely related series of actions performed over a short period of time. (2) A recommendation based on meritorious service recognizes praiseworthy execution of duties over a period of time. Service differs from achievement in that service concerns a period of time versus an act and is usually based on a permanent change of assignment, a completed period of service, or a retirement. The service must clearly distinguish the member from others of comparable grade and time of service. (3) A recommendation based on outstanding achievement recognizes a single, specific act or accomplishment separate and distinct from regularly assigned duties which impacts the greater good of the State and its inhabitants. An outstanding achievement award covers a short period of time with definite beginning and ending dates. (d) This medal shall be awarded upon the recommendation of a board of 3 officers and 2 enlisted members as appointed by the Adjutant General. (e) Only 1 medal may be awarded to any 1 person. For each additional award, a gold star 3 / 16 of an inch in diameter shall be given to the one who has earned the medal, which shall be affixed to the ribbon of the medal.

Del. Code tit. 20, § 702 Delaware National Guard Medal.

(a) The State Headquarters, on behalf of the Adjutant General, may present, in the name of the State, the Delaware National Guard Medal to any person serving in the National Guard of the State who has been called to federal mobilization by the President or voluntarily served for a continuous period of 30 or more days in an area designated as a combat zone by the Department of Defense. (b) The Delaware National Guard Medal shall be a bronze diamond, 1 3 / 8 inches in width and 1 1 / 4 inches in length. On the obverse is the coat of arms of the State in miniature in the center. The reverse shall be plain. The medal shall be suspended by a ribbon 1 3 / 8 inches in width and 1 3 / 8 inches in length of vertically divided equal portions of blue and gold. (c) Only 1 medal may be awarded to any 1 person. For each additional award, a gold star 3 / 16 of an inch in diameter shall be given to the one who has earned the medal, which shall be affixed to the ribbon of the medal. The numeral affixed will designate the total number of times the medal has been awarded to the person.

Del. Code tit. 20, § 703 Delaware Distinguished Service Medal.

(a) The Adjutant General may present, in the name of the State, the Delaware Distinguished Service Medal to any person, military or civilian, who has distinguished oneself in any capacity as provided in this section. (b) The Delaware Distinguished Service Medal shall be a medal of bronze, 1 1 / 4 inches in diameter. On the obverse is the First Regiment flag with the outline of the State overstamped on it. The words “The Delaware Distinguished Service Medal” are inscribed around the face of the medal. The reverse is plain. The medal shall be suspended by a ribbon 1 3 / 8 inches in width and 1 3 / 4 inches in length of gold with 4 bands of blue — 2 1 / 16 -inch outer bands and 2 1 / 8 -inch inner bands. (c) The Delaware Distinguished Service Medal may be awarded for meritorious service and outstanding achievement. (1) A recommendation based on meritorious service recognizes praiseworthy execution of duties over a period of time. Service differs from achievement in that service concerns a period of time versus an act and is usually based on a permanent change of assignment, a completed period of service, or a retirement. The service must clearly distinguish the member from others of comparable grade and time of service. (2) A recommendation based on outstanding achievement recognizes a single, specific act or accomplishment separate and distinct from regularly assigned duties which impacts the greater good of the Delaware National Guard. An outstanding achievement award covers a short period of time with definite beginning and ending dates. (d) This medal shall be awarded upon the recommendation of a board of 3 officers and 2 enlisted members as appointed by the Adjutant General. (e) Only 1 medal may be awarded to any 1 person. For each additional award, a numeral 3 / 16 of an inch in diameter shall be given to the one who has earned the medal, which shall be affixed to the ribbon of the medal. The numeral affixed will designate the total number of times the medal has been awarded to the person.

Del. Code tit. 20, § 704 Medal for Military Merit.

(a) The Adjutant General may present, in the name of the State, the Medal for Military Merit to any person serving in the National Guard of the State who has distinguished oneself in any capacity as provided in this section. (b) The Medal for Military Merit shall be a medal of bronze, 1 1 / 4 inches in diameter. On the obverse is the coat of arms of the State around which is inscribed “For Military Merit.” The reverse is plain. The medal shall be suspended by a ribbon 1 3 / 8 inches in width and 1 3 / 4 inches in length of beige with a 1 / 2 -inch band of maroon in the center. (c) The Medal for Military Merit may be awarded for meritorious service and outstanding achievement. (1) A recommendation based on meritorious service recognizes praiseworthy execution of duties over a period of time. Service differs from achievement in that service concerns a period of time versus an act and is usually based on a permanent change of assignment, a completed period of service, or a retirement. The service must clearly distinguish the member from others of comparable grade and time of service. In addition, the medal will be awarded to members for every 10 years of satisfactory service. Federal military service shall count in the computation of time. Board action is not required. (2) A recommendation based on outstanding achievement recognizes a single, specific act or accomplishment separate and distinct from regularly assigned duties which brings credit to the recipient as an individual. An outstanding achievement award covers a short period of time with definite beginning and ending dates. To recognize proficiency in military studies, the medal will be awarded to members who complete a course of military studies consisting of at least 80 hours of instruction and who are designated as “honor” or “distinguished” graduates. Board action is not required. (d) This medal shall be awarded upon the recommendation of a board of 3 officers and 2 enlisted members as appointed by the Adjutant General. (e) Only 1 medal may be awarded to any 1 person. For each additional award, a numeral 3 / 16 of an inch in diameter shall be given to the one who has earned the medal, which shall be affixed to the ribbon of the medal. The numeral affixed will designate the total number of times the medal has been awarded to the person.

Del. Code tit. 20, § 705 Medal for Service in Aid of Civil Authority.

(a) The state headquarters, on behalf of the Adjutant General, may present, in the name of the State, the Medal for Service in Aid of Civil Authority to any person serving in the National Guard of the State who has been called upon by the Governor to assist the civil authorities in the preservation of law and order. (b) The Medal for Service in Aid of Civil Authority shall be a bronze medal 1 1 / 4 inches in diameter. On the obverse is a mailed fist grasping a Roman sword, the sword vertical, point up; upon the point of the sword the scales of justice. The words “For Service in Aid of Civil Authority” in circular form inscribed thereon. The medal shall be suspended by a ribbon 1 3 / 8 inches in width and 1 3 / 4 inches in length in blue with a band of gold 1 / 4 inch wide through the center. (c) Only 1 medal may be awarded to any 1 person. For each additional award, a numeral 3 / 16 of an inch in diameter shall be given to the one who has earned the medal, which shall be affixed to the ribbon of the medal. The numeral affixed will designate the total number of times the medal has been awarded to the person.

Del. Code tit. 20, § 706 Minor awards and ribbons.

The Adjutant General may establish such minor awards and ribbons as deemed necessary for appropriate recognition.

Del. Code tit. 20, § 707 Honors for retired members of the Delaware National Guard.

(a) Time and age retirement requirements as contained in federal law will apply to all Delaware National Guard members. (b) (1) All members, who shall have served actively 25 years or more in the Delaware National Guard and received an honorable discharge, may upon their own written request at or after retirement be placed upon the retired list at the next higher grade, not to exceed the maximum allowable grade in the appropriate officer or enlisted category. (2) The Adjutant General shall appoint a selection panel and shall promulgate regulations to manage qualifications and selection for those who make a request after discharge under paragraph (b)(1) of this section. (c) All military members and civilian employees who shall have served actively 25 years or more in the Delaware National Guard may upon their retirement be issued a “State Seal” in recognition of long and faithful service.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title20/c007/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026