Secretary’s Award
Encyclopedia
The Secretary’s Award is an award of the United States Department of State. It is presented to employees of State, USAID and Marine guards assigned to diplomatic and consular facilities in recognition of sacrifice of health or life, in the performance of official duties. It is somewhat similar in function to the U.S. military’s purple heart
medal, though it tends to only be issued for serious injuries that are directly related to official duties.
The award consists of a gold medal set and a certificate signed by the Secretary of State
. For injuries resulting in death, the Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign Service
is typically awarded to next of kin. The criteria for the issuance of the Secretary’s Award is up to the Secretary of State.
Nominations initiated in Washington are submitted to the appropriate area awards committee for final action. For USAID, nominations initiated in Washington are reviewed by the USAID bureau/office with final approval by the appropriate assistant administrator or office head.
.
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
medal, though it tends to only be issued for serious injuries that are directly related to official duties.
The award consists of a gold medal set and a certificate signed by the Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
. For injuries resulting in death, the Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign Service
Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign Service
The Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign Service is an award of the United States Department of State. It is presented to employees of State, USAID and civilian contractors assigned to diplomatic and consular facilities for events that lead to death or serious illness or injury. It is roughly...
is typically awarded to next of kin. The criteria for the issuance of the Secretary’s Award is up to the Secretary of State.
Nominating and Approval Procedures
Nominations for State and USAID employees are submitted on Form JF-66, Nomination for Award, through supervisory channels to the Joint Country Awards Committee for review and recommendation to the Chief of Mission for final action.Nominations initiated in Washington are submitted to the appropriate area awards committee for final action. For USAID, nominations initiated in Washington are reviewed by the USAID bureau/office with final approval by the appropriate assistant administrator or office head.
Military Use
Upon authorization, members of the U.S. military may wear the medal and ribbon in the appropriate order of precedence as a U.S. non-military personal decorationAwards and decorations of the United States government
Awards and decorations of the United States government are civilian awards of the U.S. federal government which are typically issued for sustained meritorious service, in a civilian capacity, while serving in the U.S. federal government. Certain U.S...
.
Recipients
- José Rivera Hernández, Major, USAF, in West Rashid, IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, July 2007, for injuries sustained during a terrorist attack while serving on a Department of State Provincial Reconstruction TeamProvincial reconstruction teamA Provincial Reconstruction Team is a unit introduced by the United States government, consisting of military officers, diplomats, and reconstruction subject matter experts, working to support reconstruction efforts in unstable states. PRTs were first established in Afghanistan in late 2001 or...
External links
See also
- Awards of the United States Department of StateAwards of the United States Department of StateThe United States Department of State, like other agencies of the U.S. federal government, gives civilian decorations for outstanding service, sacrifice, or heroism...
- Awards and decorations of the United States governmentAwards and decorations of the United States governmentAwards and decorations of the United States government are civilian awards of the U.S. federal government which are typically issued for sustained meritorious service, in a civilian capacity, while serving in the U.S. federal government. Certain U.S...
- United States Department of State
- U.S. Foreign Service