A special awards ceremony will be held on July 28, at 11 a.m., at the Hackettstown National Guard Armory, 901 Willow Grove St., Hackettstown, N.J.   During the ceremony, 78 veterans of World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Lebanon Peacekeeping Mission, Persian Gulf and Operation Iraqi Freedom will be presented with the state's top military award, the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal.

      An additional 15 residents of the three counties who are combat veterans will receive the New Jersey Meritorious Service Medal for their service in the military.

      The N.J. Distinguished Service Medal was originally issued in 1858 for those who distinguished themselves in the New Jersey Militia, but was used infrequently until re-authorized by Governor Kean in 1988.  

      After the Spanish American War, the Mexican Border Expedition and again after World War I, the State of New Jersey minted special medals for returning N.J. veterans to honor their service. After World War II, Korea, Vietnam and subsequent combat actions no such medal was available. The State of New Jersey was looking for an appropriate way to honor all of these returning combat veterans and acknowledge the debt the state owed them for their service. The N.J. DSM was then authorized for that purpose. It is New Jersey's highest military award.

      Since its re-authorization in 1988, more than 20,000 medals have been awarded to combat veterans from New Jersey.

      In order to be eligible for the Distinguished Service Medal you must meet all the following criteria:

~ currently be a resident of New Jersey

~ have been a resident of New Jersey at the time you entered into military service

~ have been honorably discharged

~ have proof of having served in combat while on active duty during wartime.

      Those recipients whose service was recognized by the award of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal or equivalent medal will receive a N.J. Distinguished Service Medal with an oak leaf cluster.

      The DSM can be awarded posthumously to the next-of-kin of a veteran who meets the criteria.

      Anyone interested in applying for the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal should send a written request, e-mail or telephone call, requesting an application form to the following –   

Mail to:

NJDMAVA

ATTN: Kathy Burek

P.O. Box 340

Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0340

Be sure to include full name, home address and a daytime phone number

e-mail: patricia.richter@njdmava.state.nj.us

Phone: 1-800-624-0508, Press 7

On-line: http://www.state.nj.us/military/veterans/awards/forms/application.pdf