Massachusetts

[John Asendorf]

This topic is for progress on the state listed in the subject.

[gelove55]

Hello,

I'm glad to see a site that combines federal and state awards into one rack, with the ability to define devices. The site will be a big help to soldiers and airmen preparing their racks, I'm sure!

I'd like to help get Massachusetts up and running on UltimateRack. I've used the RibbonBuilder Tool and will proceed to post each ribbon and medal with .PNG file (in small format).

With each award, I'll post details regarding appurtenances and devices.

CPT Geoffrey Love
A/1-101 FA
Massachusetts Army National Guard

[gelove55]

Massachusetts Medal of Valor

To Whom Awarded: May be awarded to a member of the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth who, by reason of conspicuous gallantry at the risk of his/her life, above and beyond the call of duty, while performing military service, performs an outstanding act of heroism.

Standards: The act performed must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his comrades.

Appurtenances:

(1) A Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster issued in lieu of a medal for each succeeding award of a decoration to the same person. It is worn attached to the suspension or service ribbon of the decoration it represents with the stems of the leaves to the wearer's right

(2) A Silver Oak Leaf Cluster will be worn in lieu of five bronze clusters of the same decoration and worn to the righ of any Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

Source: TAGMA PAM 672-5 Military Awards

- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA, MA ARNG

[gelove55]

Massachusetts Military Medal

To Whom Awarded: May be awarded to a member of the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth, who, while performing military service, performed a singularly meritorious act of heroism which distinguished him/her above his/her comrades.

Standards: The meritorious act of heroism, while of lesser degree than required for the Massachusetts Medal of Valor, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.

Appurtenances: (1) A Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster issued in lieu of a medal for each succeeding award of a decoration to the same person. It is worn attached to the suspension or service ribbon of the decoration it represents with the stems of the leaves to the wearer's right; (2) A Silver Oak Leaf Cluster will be worn in lieu of five bronze clusters of the same decoration and worn to the righ of any Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

Source: TAGMA PAM 672-5 Military Awards

- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA, MAARNG

[gelove55]

Massachusetts Medal of Merit

To Whom Awarded: May be awarded to a member of the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth who has distinguished himself/herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct for performing outstanding services while a member of the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth.

Standards: Performance must have been such as to merit recognition for service which was clearly exceptional. Superior performance of normal duties will not alone justify an award of this decoration. The award will only be made in recognition of duty of marked National or State significance, performed under unusually complicated conditions where the services of the individual have contributed to a high degree of success. The Massachusetts Medal of Merit shall not be awarded posthumously.

Appurtenances: (1) A Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster issued in lieu of a medal for each succeeding award of a decoration to the same person. It is worn attached to the suspension or service ribbon of the decoration it represents with the stems of the leaves to the wearer's right; (2) A Silver Oak Leaf Cluster will be worn in lieu of five bronze clusters of the same decoration and worn to the righ of any Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

Source: TAGMA PAM 672-5 Military Awards

- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA, MAARNG

[gelove55]

Massachusetts Humanitarian Service Ribbon

To Whom Awarded: May be awarded to those personnel of the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth who perform a singularly meritorious act of heroism or an act of significant achievement not involving actual military service with the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth, but reflecting favorably on the individual's membership in the National Guard. The individual must have performed an act of heroism or an act of significant achievement so outstanding that he/she clearly went beyond what might have been expected from most persons under similar circumstances. Effective date for implementation was 1 July 1985 and will not be retractive.

Standards: Only personnel of the Massachusetts National Guard are eligible for this award. The act of heroism or act of significant achievement must be substantiated by witnesses, military and/or civilian.

Appurtenances: (1) A Bronze Service Star, 3/16" in diameter, will be affixed to the service ribbon to identify second and subsequent awards. Service stars will be arranged in a horizontal row with one point up; (2) A Silver Service Star will be worn in lieu of five bronze stars and worn to the right of any bronze star.

Source: TAGMA PAM 672-5 Military Awards

- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA

[gelove55]

Massachusetts Service Medal - Army National Guard

To Whom Awarded: Awarded to those individuals who complete nine (9) consecutive years of honorable service in the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth.

Standards: Only service as a member of the Massachusetts National Guard or State Guard is included. However, for the purpose of determining eligibility for entitlement to the Massachusetts Service Medal, officers and enlisted personnel who were ordered into active service for Vietnam and Desert Shield/Desert Storm as members of the National Guard, will receive credit for all such active service to include date of release there from or date hostilities were officially declared at an end, whichever is earlier.

Appurtenances:

(1) Service Stars are a bronze or silver 5-pointed star, 3/16" in diameter worn with one point up, on the suspension or service ribbon. When more than one service star is authorized, they will be arranged in a horizontal row. A silver service star is worn to the right of any bronze service star and to the left of a war service star.

(2) Bronze Service Star is authorized to denote an additional 5-year period of service in addition to and under the same condition prescribed for the award of the medal.

(3) Silver Service Star is authorized to denote an additional 10-year period of service in addition to and under the same condition prescribed for award of the medal.

(4) The War Service Star is a gold star, 5/16" in diameter, worn on the suspension or service ribbon to indicate in-theater service in time of war in the Armed Forces of the United States (Vietnam, 8 Mar 65 - 28 Jan 73; Desert Storm 2 Aug 90 - 30 Nov 95). Only one War Service Star will be awarded and will be worn to the right of all other appurtenances. Note: In the event that the 5/16" star is not available, the 3/16" diameter service star is an authorized substitute.

Source: TAGMA PAM 672-5 Military Awards

- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA, MAARNG

[gelove55]

Massachusetts Service Medal - Air National Guard

To Whom Awarded: Awarded to those individuals who complete nine (9) consecutive years of honorable service in the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth.

Standards: Only service as a member of the Massachusetts National Guard or State Guard is included. However, for the purpose of determining eligibility for entitlement to the Massachusetts Service Medal, officers and enlisted personnel who were ordered into active service for Vietnam and Desert Shield/Desert Storm as members of the National Guard, will receive credit for all such active service to include date of release there from or date hostilities were officially declared at an end, whichever is earlier.

Appurtenances:

(1) Service Stars are a bronze or silver 5-pointed star, 3/16" in diameter worn with one point up, on the suspension or service ribbon. When more than one service star is authorized, they will be arranged in a horizontal row. A silver service star is worn to the right of any bronze service star and to the left of a war service star.

(2) Bronze Service Star is authorized to denote an additional 5-year period of service in addition to and under the same condition prescribed for the award of the medal.

(3) Silver Service Star is authorized to denote an additional 10-year period of service in addition to and under the same condition prescribed for award of the medal.

(4) The War Service Star is a gold star, 5/16" in diameter, worn on the suspension or service ribbon to indicate in-theater service in time of war in the Armed Forces of the United States (Vietnam, 8 Mar 65 - 28 Jan 73; Desert Storm 2 Aug 90 - 30 Nov 95). Only one War Service Star will be awarded and will be worn to the right of all other appurtenances. Note: In the event that the 5/16" star is not available, the 3/16" diameter service star is an authorized substitute.

Source: TAGMA PAM 672-5 Military Awards

- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA, MAARNG

[gelove55]

Massachusetts Desert Storm Service Ribbon

To Whom Awarded:

(1) To all Massachusetts National Guard personnel who were called, by Presidential Order, to Federal Active Duty, from 2 Aug 90 to 31 Nov 95, under the provisions of Title 10 US Code Sections 672 or 673, to support Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

(2) To all Massachusetts National Guard personnel who were members of the National Guard from 2 Aug 90 to 31 Mar 91, and service satisfactorily without AWOLs, under the provision of Title 32 US Code Sections 502f, and were eligible to perform Federal Active Duty by Presidential Order in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Appurtenances: The only authorized appurtenance associated with this award is the gold War Service Star awarded to those personnel who were activated to Federal Service who deployed overseas to serve in the Southwest Asian theater of operations. Note: The service star is not authorized for wear under any other circumstances.

Source: TAGMA PAM 672-5 Military Awards

- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA, MAARNG

[gelove55]

Massachusetts Emergency Service Ribbon

To Whom Awarded: Awarded to those members of the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth, the State Staff, and personnel on State duty under Section 18, Chapter 33 for honorable service within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during an emergency and under an order/call of the Governor under the provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 33, as amended. Required service must have been at least three consecutive days duration or longer.

Standards: Award of ribbon is retroactive to the post-World War II Federal Recognition of the Massachusetts National Guard. Request must include verification of such service and be established through personnel and State payroll records.

Appurtenances:

(1) A service star is a bronze or silver 5-pointed star, 3/16' in diameter, worn with the service ribbon. When more than one service star is authorized, they will be arranged in a horizontal row. A Silver Service Star is worn to the wearer's right of any Bronze Service Star.

(2) A Bronze Service Star is authorized to denote each period of emergency service in addition to and under the same conditions prescribed for the award of the Emergency Service Ribbon.

(3) A Silver Service Star will be worn in lieu of five (5) Bronze Service Stars.

Source: TAGMA PAM 672-5 Military Awards

- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA, MAARNG

[gelove55]

Massachusetts Meritorious Unit Commendation

To Whom Awarded: Awarded to any federally recognized unit of the Massachusetts National Guard for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services for at least 5 consecutive days during a period of State Active Duty duly ordered under either Section 38 or 41, Chapter 33, Massachusetts General Laws occurring on or after 1 Jan 78.

Standards: Service in an area of operation is not required but must be directly related to the purpose for which ordered to State Active Duty. The unit must display such outstanding devotion and superior performance of exceptionally difficult tasks as to set it apart and above other units with similar missions. The degree of achievement is the same as that which would warrant award of the Massachusetts Medal of Merit to an individual. Only in rare cases will a unit larger than a Brigade, Battalion, or Group qualify for the award of this decoration.

Appurtenances:

(1) A Bronze Service Star, 3/16" in diameter, will be affixed to the service ribbon to identify second and subsequent unit awards. Service Stars will be arranged in a horizontal row with one point up.

(2) A Silver Service Star will be worn in lieu of 5 Bronze Service Stars and worn to the wearer's right of any Bronze Service Star.

Source: TAGMA PAM 672-5 Military Awards

- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA, MAARNG

[John Asendorf]

I've posted these. I'll need to figure out the code for the service star/War star for the last few individual ribbons, but the others were straight forward and have been added.

[gelove55]

Hello,

Nice work on the ribbons! You mentioned you're still working on the devices for the Massachusetts Service Medal. I'm attaching a graphic that you'll need, the Gold Eagle Device. This denotes 25 years of service and is affixed to the Mass. Service Medal, either ARNG or ANG.



- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA, MAARNG

[gelove55]

Here is a page from TAGMA PAM 672-5 Military Awards, which nicely shows the various devices awarded for service in the Massachusetts National Guard.

Bear in mind that the Mass. Service Medal - ARNG and the Mass. Service Medal - ANG are considered equivalent in terms of devices. The same device rules apply to both medals.




- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA, MAARNG

[gelove55]

Hello,

If you need the image files, here are the three other devices used on the Massachusetts Service Medal:


War Service Star (Gold, 5/16")



Silver Service Star (Silver, 3/16")



Bronze Service Star (Bronze, 3/16")


- CPT Geoffrey Love, A/1-101 FA, MAARNG