H.R. 2211House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Guardians of America's Freedom Medal Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 3:09 PM UTC

The Guardians of America's Freedom Medal Act creates a program in each military department to award medals or other commendations to military working dog handlers and the dogs themselves for acts of valor or meritorious achievement. The secretaries of the Army, Navy, Air Force, etc., must set up the award program, decide on the design of the medals, and follow Department of Defense regulations when granting them. This affects service members who work with military working dogs and the dogs under their care.

Key Provisions

Each military department secretary must establish a program to award medals or commendations to military working‑dog handlers and the dogs for valor or meritorious achievement.
The department secretary determines the design and elements of any award granted under the program.
Awards must be administered in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Military Personnel Subcommittee

May 23, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 27, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

April 27, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Military Personnel Subcommittee

May 23, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 27, 2017

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2211

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 27, 2017

Mr. Lance (for himself, Mr. Pascrell, and Mr. LoBiondo) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To provide for the award of medals or other commendations to handlers of military working dogs and military working dogs, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Guardians of America's Freedom Medal Act.

Award of medals or other commendations to handlers of military working dogs and military working dogs

(a)

Program of award required

Each Secretary of a military department shall carry out a program to provide for the award of one or more medals or other commendations to handlers of military working dogs, and to military working dogs, under the jurisdiction of such Secretary to recognize valor or meritorious achievement by such handlers and dogs.

(b)

Medal and commendations

Any medal or commendation awarded pursuant to a program under subsection (a) shall be of such design, and include such elements, as the Secretary of the military department concerned shall specify.

(c)

Regulations

Medals and commendations shall be awarded under programs under subsection (a) in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for purposes of this section.