51 Pa.C.S. Ch. 37

51 Pa.C.S. § 3701 Authorized decorations, medals, badges and awards.

(a) General rule.--The following decorations, medals, badges and awards are authorized to be presented by the Governor in the name of the Commonwealth: (1) Pennsylvania Cross for Valor. (2) Pennsylvania Distinguished Service Medal. (3) Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Medal. (4) Pennsylvania Commendation Medal. (4.1) Pennsylvania Achievement Medal. (5) State Medal for Federal Service during any war. (6) Pennsylvania Service Ribbon or Medal for active State service during an emergency. (7) Pennsylvania Twenty Year Service Medal. (8) Major General Thomas R. White, Jr. Medal. (9) General Thomas J. Stewart Medal. (10) Pennsylvania Outstanding Aeronautical Achievement Award. (11) Marksmanship Medals or Badges. (12) Pennsylvania Veterans Service Award. (b) Method of award.--The following decorations, medals, badges and awards will be awarded under the following conditions: (1) The Pennsylvania Cross for Valor shall be awarded by the Governor to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Pennsylvania Guard or the armed forces of the United States or their reserve components for acts of bravery or valor above the ordinary gallantry of other members of the services. (2) The Pennsylvania Distinguished Service Medal shall be awarded by the Governor to civilians, veterans, members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Pennsylvania Guard or armed forces of the United States or their reserve components and civilians and members of the military of a friendly foreign nation in recognition of meritorious service beyond the normal dictates of duty to this Commonwealth. (3) The Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Medal shall be awarded by the Governor to civilians, veterans, members of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Pennsylvania Guard or the armed forces of the United States or their reserve components and civilians and members of the military of a friendly foreign nation in recognition of meritorious service rendered this Commonwealth and while holding a position of great responsibility or who provide meritorious service to veterans and their families on behalf of this Commonwealth. (4) The qualifications for awarding the Pennsylvania Commendation Medal, the Pennsylvania Achievement Medal, the Pennsylvania Veterans Service Award, the State Medal for Federal Service during any war, the Service Ribbon or Medal for active State service during an emergency, the Pennsylvania Twenty Year Service Medal, the Major General Thomas R. White, Jr. Medal, the General Thomas J. Stewart Medal, the Pennsylvania Outstanding Aeronautical Achievement Award, and the Marksmanship Medals or Badges, shall be prescribed by the Adjutant General by regulation or guideline. (5) The Adjutant General is empowered to establish such other decorations, medals, badges and awards as he may prescribe by regulation or guideline. (c) Recommendations for medals.--All recommendations for decorations, medals, badges and awards, except those of the Governor, must be forwarded to the Governor through the department. (Nov. 29, 2017, P.L.1182, No.56, eff. 60 days; Oct. 23, 2023, P.L.80, No.16, eff. imd.) 2023 Amendment. Act 16 amended subsec. (b)(2) and (3).

51 Pa.C.S. § 3702 Specifications.

The Adjutant General shall prescribe the detailed specifications and design for said decorations, medals, badges and awards, and is authorized to procure those items in the prescribed manner. The Adjutant General shall issue appropriate rules, regulations and guidelines for the wearing of said decorations, medals, badges and awards in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Pennsylvania National Guard. (Nov. 29, 2017, P.L.1182, No.56, eff. 60 days)

51 Pa.C.S. § 3703 Wearing of military insignia by municipal employees.

It is unlawful for any official of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof to forbid or prohibit by ordinance, rule, or regulation the wearing, by any of its employees or agents, of any service bar or insignia provided or authorized by the Federal Government, indicating military service in any war, upon any part of the uniform worn by them as employees or agents of the political subdivision.

51 Pa.C.S. § 3704 Saving provision.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as to invalidate or repeal any decorations, medals, badges or awards heretofore presented.

51 Pa.C.S. § 3705 Furnishing United States flag for deceased members.

(a) General rule.--The department shall furnish a United States flag to drape the casket of each deceased member who at the time of death was: (1) An active member of the Pennsylvania National Guard or the Pennsylvania Guard. (2) A retired member of the Pennsylvania National Guard or the Pennsylvania Guard. (3) Discharged from the Pennsylvania National Guard or the Pennsylvania Guard for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. (b) Exception.--Any member eligible for a burial flag under the provisions of 38 United States Code § 901 (relating to flags) is not authorized to receive the United States flag under the provisions of this section. (c) Appropriation for cost.--The necessary appropriations to pay for any flags issued under this section shall, at each regular session of the General Assembly, be included in the items pertaining to the department, in the act of Assembly providing for the ordinary expenses of the Executive, Judicial and Legislative Departments of the Commonwealth. (Sept. 28, 1978, P.L.802, No.155, eff. 60 days) 1978 Amendment. Act 155 added section 3705.