Recognizing Mayaguez Veterans Act

Bill: 114-hr-6374
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Meadows, Mark [R-NC-11]
Introduced: 2016-11-17
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia

Conflicts and wars

Military operations and strategy

Veterans' organizations and recognition

Vietnam
Latest action: action_date: 2016-11-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-11-17
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Recognizing Mayaguez Veterans Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the military department concerned, upon application by or on behalf of a veteran who was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for participation in the Mayaguez rescue operation of May 12-May 15, 1975, or who otherwise participated in such operation, to award that veteran the Vietnam Service Medal, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable requirements. Such award shall be made in lieu of any Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal awarded for participation in such operation.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6374 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 17, 2016 Mr. Meadows (for himself and Ms. Gabbard ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To extend the Vietnam Service Medal to veterans of the Armed Forces who participated in the S.S. Mayaguez rescue operation.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Recognizing Mayaguez Veterans Act . 2. Award of Vietnam Service Medal to veterans who participated in Mayaguez rescue operation (a) Award authorized The Secretary of the military department concerned shall, upon the application by or on behalf of an individual who is an eligible veteran, award that individual the Vietnam Service Medal, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable requirements for the award of that medal. Any such award shall be made in lieu of any Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal awarded the individual for the individual’s participation in the Mayaguez rescue operation. (b) Treatment of deceased veterans In the case of a veteran who is deceased, the application described in subsection (a) may be submitted by the next of kin of the veteran. (c) Eligible veteran For purposes of this section, the term eligible veteran means a veteran of the Armed Forces— (1) who was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for participation in military operations known as the Mayaguez rescue operation of May 12–15, 1975; or (2) who participated in such operation.