New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

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New Jersey Service Medals Overview

New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal

Awarded to New Jersey residents or one who was a resident at the time of entry into military service or who has been a New Jersey resident for at least 20 years in the aggregate. Criteria: Veteran must have received an Honorable Discharge, and served in a combat theater while on active duty during wartime or National Emergency. Recipients whose service was recognized by the award of a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal or equivalent receive the NJ DSM with a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster. A “Posthumous” award is authorized.

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New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal

Presented to those combat veterans who were not New Jersey residents when they entered the military service, but who are current residents of New Jersey and have resided in the state for the previous five years. Criteria is the same as the DSM but there is no Oak Leaf Cluster for the MSM. Veteran must have received an Honorable Discharge and a “Posthumous” award is authorized.

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New Jersey Korean Service Medal

Presented for military service in Korea, Japan, or the contiguous waters or airspace on or after June 23, 1950 and on or before January 31, 1955. Criteria: Must be a current resident of New Jersey, received an Honorable Discharge and have been attached to or served for one or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations; or attached to or served for one or more days aboard a US Naval vessel directly supporting military operations; or – participated as a crew member in one or more aerial flights into airspace above Korea or contiguous areas directly supporting military operations; or – served on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in Korea or contiguous areas, except that this time limit may be waived for persons participating in actual combat operations. A “Posthumous” award is authorized.

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New Jersey Vietnam Service Medal

Presented for military service in the South East Asia Theater of Operations from 1960 to 1975. Must be a current resident of New Jersey and received an Honorable Discharge and served on active duty in any branch of the armed forces of the United States in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, or the contiguous waters or airspace thereof on or after December 31, 1960 and on or before May 7, 1975. The same “Criteria” applies as with the New Jersey Korean Service Medal and a “Posthumous” award is authorized.

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New Jersey POW-MIA Service Medal

Presented for individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces in a combat theater of operations during time of war or emergency, was taken prisoner and held captive and/or listed as missing in action. Criteria: Must be a current resident of New Jersey, received an Honorable Discharge, and must have served in a combat theater and was officially listed as a prisoner of war or missing in action by the Department of Defense. A “Posthumous” award is authorized.

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New Jersey Desert Storm Service Medal

Awarded to a member of the New Jersey Organized Militia or to a resident of the State of New Jersey on active duty or assigned to other reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United States who was called to active military service in time of national emergency during the period 1 August 1990 to 1 October 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield. A “Posthumous” award is authorized.

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