West Virginia Code

WVC 15 - CHAPTER 15. PUBLIC SAFETY.
WVC 15 - 1 G- ARTICLE 1G. SERVICE MEDALS.

WVC 15 - 1 G- 1 §15-1G-1. The West Virginia distinguished service medal.

The "West Virginia distinguished service medal" may be awarded:

(a) To former or present governors of the state of West Virginia as commanders in chief of the West Virginia national guard;

(b) To such officers and enlisted men in the West Virginia national guard as may have, or may hereafter render conspicuous or distinguished service in the line of duty, or who have displayed, or may hereafter display, conspicuous courage and gallantry while on duty with the West Virginia national guard;

(c) To individuals serving in the West Virginia national guard who are holders of congressional medals of honor, United States distinguished service medals, United States distinguished service cross or equivalent awards of the United States navy;

(d) To West Virginians who served in the armed forces of the United States in time of war and who have rendered conspicuous or distinguished service in the line of duty;

(e) To not more than two civilians in any one year who shall have rendered, in the judgment of the military board of the state of West Virginia, conspicuous or distinguished service to the West Virginia national guard, the state of West Virginia or the United States of America.

The West Virginia distinguished service medal may be awarded posthumously to the next of kin of any officer, enlisted man or civilian entitled thereto under the foregoing subdivisions.

WVC 15 - 1 G- 2 §15-1G-2. West Virginia legion of merit.

The "West Virginia legion of merit" may be awarded for exceptional meritorious service, achievement or bravery:

(a) To present or former officers and enlisted members of the West Virginia national guard;

(b) To present or former members of active military components, national guard members of other states and other reserve components;

(c) To civilians who have rendered conspicuous or distinguished service to the West Virginia national guard, the state of West Virginia or the United States of America.

WVC 15 - 1 G- 3 §15-1G-3. Procedure for award of distinguished service medal and legion of merit.

The military awards board hereinafter established shall recommend to the governor the approval or disapproval of all nominations for the award of the distinguished service medal or the legion of merit. If the justification contained in a nomination for the distinguished service medal does not meet the criteria established for such award, the board may recommend in lieu thereof the approval of the legion of merit.

WVC 15 - 1 G- 4 §15-1G-4. Other West Virginia awards and decorations.

The adjutant general is authorized to establish other West Virginia awards and decorations to recognize officers and members of the West Virginia national guard or other individuals as may be deemed appropriate.

Such awards and decorations will be established by the issuance of appropriate orders by the adjutant general and furnished at the expense of the state. The adjutant general shall establish procedures for the granting of such awards or decorations.

WVC 15 - 1 G- 5 §15-1G-5. Precedence of medals.

The order of precedence for wearing West Virginia medals is as follows:

(1) West Virginia distinguished service medal;

(2) West Virginia legion of merit;

(3) Other West Virginia awards and decorations in the order of precedence as established by the adjutant general.

WVC 15 - 1 G- 6 §15-1G-6. Board of awards.

The governor, as commander in chief of the West Virginia national guard, shall appoint a permanent board of awards to be known as the military awards board of the state of West Virginia to consist of three members, at least two of whom shall be members of the West Virginia national guard on active duty. The term of office for these members shall be four years or until their successors are appointed.

The members of this board shall receive no salary or other compensation for their services, but each member shall be allowed and paid for actual expenses in traveling and other personal expense incurred in the performance of their duty. The board shall select a secretary who shall make and keep a record of its proceedings, which record is to be lodged in the adjutant general's office and is to be preserved therein as a part of the permanent military records of the state of West Virginia.

WVC 15 - 1 G- 7 §15-1G-7. Design of medals.

The military awards board of the state of West Virginia shall design, or have designed, the distinguished service medal, the legion of merit, and other West Virginia awards and decorations and shall submit the designs and bids thereon, together with its recommendations thereon, to the governor for final approval.

WVC 15 - 1 G- 8 §15-1G-8. Devices for the award of multiple West Virginia decorations.

In the event any person shall render service or perform acts entitling such person to the award of a West Virginia decoration, and the award of such decoration has previously been made, the person shall, for each subsequent award be entitled to wear a bronze oak leaf cluster. A silver oak leaf cluster shall be used in lieu of five bronze oak leaf clusters.

WVC 15 - 1 G- 9 §15-1G-9. Procurement of West Virginia decorations.

The adjutant general shall annually submit to the Legislature a request for an appropriation sufficient to cover the cost of all West Virginia decorations established in accordance with this article.

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	Chapter 15 Entire Code

‹ Chapter 14 \| Chapter 16 ›	Printer Friendly Versions Chapter 15 \| Article 15 - 1G \| Section 9

Citation	Year/Session	Short Title
§15 - 2 - 33 - (Amended Code) §15 - 2 A- 12 - (Amended Code)	SENATE BILL - 394 PASSED - Regular Session SB394 ENR (Uploaded - 05/07/2013)	Relating to scholarships for dependent children of law-enforcement officers who die in performance of duty
§15 - 3 - 10 - (New Code)	HOUSE BILL - 2046 PASSED - Regular Session HB2046 SUB ENR (Uploaded - 05/07/2013)	Requiring wireless telecommunications companies to release location information of a missing person's cell phone in a timely manner; the "Kelsey Smith Act"
§15 - 3 A- 4 - (Amended Code)	HOUSE BILL - 2453 PASSED - Regular Session HB2453 SUB ENR (Uploaded - 05/07/2013)	Expanding the Amber Alert Plan; "SKYLAR'S LAW"
§15 - 5 - 6 - (Amended Code) §15 - 5 - 19 A - (Amended Code)	HOUSE BILL - 2471 PASSED - Regular Session HB2471 SUB ENR (Uploaded - 05/07/2013)	Prohibiting the restriction or otherwise lawful possession, use, carrying, transfer, transportation, storage or display of a firearm or ammunition during a declared state of emergency

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