H.R. 6406

Last Servicemember Standing Medal Act

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I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 6406

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 14, 2023

Ms. Kaptur (for herself and Mr. Carter of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to establish the Last Servicemember Standing Medal.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Last Servicemember Standing Medal Act.

2.

Authorization for Last Servicemember Standing medal

(a)

Authorization

Chapter 57 of title 10, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by redesignating sections 1135 and 1136 as sections 1136 and section 1137, respectively; and

(2)

by inserting after section 1134 the following new section:

1135.

Last Servicemember Standing medal

(a)

Medal authorized

The Secretary concerned may issue a service medal, to be known as the Last Servicemember Standing medal, to persons eligible under subsection (c).

(b)

Design

The Last Servicemember Standing medal shall be of an appropriate design approved by the Secretary of Defense, with ribbons, lapel pins, and other appurtenances.

(c)

Eligible persons

Subject to subsection (d), a person eligible to be issued the Last Servicemember Standing medal is any member who—

(1)

served on active duty;

(2)

was deployed during war or overseas contingency operation;

(3)

as a result of a combat instance during such war or overseas contingency, was the last surviving member of a unit;

(4)

demonstrated extraordinary heroism in defense of the United States during such combat instance; and

(5)

whose character is recommended for recognition by their commanding officer and at least two peers.

(d)

One medal authorized

Not more than one Last Servicemember Standing medal may be issued to any person.

(e)

Issuance to next-of-Kin

If a person described in subsection (c) is deceased, the Secretary concerned may provide for issuance of the Last Servicemember Standing medal to the next-of-kin of the person.

(f)

Regulations

The issuance of a Last Servicemember Standing medal shall be subject to such regulations as the Secretaries concerned shall prescribe for purposes of this section. The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that any regulations prescribed under this subsection are uniform to the extent practicable.

.

(b)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should take appropriate actions to expedite—

(1)

the design of the Last Servicemember Standing medal provided for by section 1136 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a); and

(2)

the establishment and implementation of mechanisms to facilitate the issuance of the Last Servicemember Standing Medal to persons eligible for the issuance of the medal under such section.