Honor Medal With Palms Honor Medal Heroism medal Medal of Merit
Honor Medal
with
Crossed Palms
Honor
Medal
Heroism
Medal
Medal
of
Merit

National Court of Honor

Lifesaving, Meritorious Action, and Heroism Awards


Requirements were REVISED effective January 1, 2019

To see the changes which were made, Click here.

National awards for lifesaving, meritorious action, and heroism are made only for outstanding and unusual acts
that demonstrate unusual heroism, skill or bravery and reflect Scouting ideals, based on the following criteria:

  1. Honor Medal with Crossed Palms.

    Has demonstrated unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save a life at extreme risk to self.

  2. Honor Medal.

    Has demonstrated unusual heroism and skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save a life at considerable risk to self.

  3. Heroism Medal.

    Has demonstrated heroism and skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save a life at minimal personal risk..

  4. Medal of Merit.

    Has performed an act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others.

  5. National Certificate of Merit.

    Has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of national recognition. Note: If the action is deserving of merit but does not qualify for a national award, the Scout may be eligible for the Local Council Certificate of Merit, No. 606760.

  6. Local Council Certificate of Merit.

    The situation does not meet the criteria for a National Court of Honor award but the act is deserving of recognition. The case is not extraordinary, did not call for unusual skill and was not exceptional in nature but was of outstanding service and did reflect the high ideals of Scouting.

Heroism is defined as conduct exhibiting courage and daring, skill, and self-sacrifice.

Skill is defined as the ability to use one's knowledge effectively in execution or performance. Special attention is given to skills earned in Scouting.

The form for recommending someone for the Medal of Merit, Honor Medal, or Heroism Award, is a multi-page form, entitled "Recommendation for Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Awards" It can be downloaded in PDF format from the following location: https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/04.26.2022_Lifesaving-Award-applicationdFINAL.pdf.

Mike Walton (Settummanque) has prepared a sample Script of a presentation ceremony for awarding these Medals and/or Certificates. Click Here to download a file containing the script, which can be opened in most word processing programs.


Page updated on: January 25, 2023



Scouts Using the Internet Cartoon - Courtesy of Richard Diesslin - Click to See More Cartoons
© 1994-2024 - U.S. Scouting Service Project | Site Map | Disclaimer | Project Team | Contact Us | Privacy Policy

Materials found at U. S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. Websites may be reproduced and used locally by Scouting volunteers for training purposes consistent with the programs of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) or other Scouting and Guiding Organizations. No material found here may be used or reproduced for electronic redistribution or for commercial or other non-Scouting purposes without the express permission of the U. S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. (USSSP) or other copyright holders. USSSP is not affiliated with BSA or WOSM and does not speak on behalf of BSA or WOSM. Opinions expressed on these web pages are those of the web authors. You can support this website with in two ways: Visit Our Trading Post at www.ScoutingBooks.com or make a donation by clicking the button below.
(U.S. Scouting Service Project Donation)


(Ruth Lyons Memorial Donations)