§ 10-16-12-1 — Establishment of awards and decorations

The following awards and decorations are
established to be bestowed upon the officers and enlisted persons of the
armed forces of Indiana under the conditions and in the manner
provided in this article:
(1) An Indiana Distinguished Service Cross shall be awarded to
any officer or enlisted person of the militia, who:
(A) performs, at great personal danger and risk of life or limb
in peace or war, any act of heroism designed to protect life or
property;
(B) in the face of a military or armed enemy of the United
States government or of the state of Indiana, performs an act
over and beyond the call of duty, which act, danger, or risk the
officer or enlisted person could have failed to perform or incur
without being subject to censure for neglect of duty; or
(C) through an act of courage contributes directly to saving the
life or lives of others.
(2) An Indiana Distinguished Service Medal shall be awarded to
a commissioned officer or an enlisted person of the militia and
other officers, enlisted persons, and civilians, who perform
unusually distinguished or meritorious service, that:
(A) to a marked degree is reflected in the increased efficiency
of the militia; or
(B) brings exceptional and great honor or credit to the Indiana
armed forces and commands the attention and respect of the
citizens of Indiana and of the military establishment throughout
the United States.
(3) Long Service Medals shall be awarded to officers and enlisted
persons for honest and faithful service in the federally recognized
Indiana National Guard for periods of:
(A) ten (10) years;
(B) fifteen (15) years;
(C) twenty (20) years;
(D) twenty-five (25) years; and
(E) for longer periods.
A symbol shall be worn on the ribbon of each medal, one (1) for
each year in addition to the period for which the medal was
issued, until the officer or enlisted person is entitled to a medal
for the next period for which a different long service medal is
issued.
(4) An Indiana National Guard commendation medal shall be
awarded to any commissioned officer or enlisted person of the
militia and other officers, enlisted persons, and civilians, who
have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or
meritorious service. The required meritorious achievement or
meritorious service while of lesser degree than that required for
the award of the Indiana distinguished service medal must have
been accomplished with distinction. The award may be made for
acts of outstanding courage that do not meet the requirements for
award of the Indiana distinguished service medal. It is particularly
desirable that emphasis be placed on the award of this decoration
to outstanding company grade officers, warrant officers, and
enlisted personnel whose achievements and service meet the
prescribed standards.
(5) An Indiana achievement medal shall be awarded to any officer
or enlisted person of the militia and other officers, enlisted
persons, or civilians, who have distinguished themselves by
outstanding achievement or service. The required achievement or
service, while of lesser degree than that required for the award of
the Indiana National Guard commendation medal, must have been
accomplished with distinction.
(6) An Indiana Emergency Service Ribbon shall be awarded to all
currently assigned officers, warrant officers, and enlisted
members of the Indiana National Guard who have served on state
active duty during a state emergency. For purposes of this
subdivision, "state emergency" means any emergency for any
period declared by the governor or the adjutant general. The
Indiana emergency service ribbon shall be awarded to denote
honorable state active military duty by members of the Indiana
Army and Air National Guard during state emergencies.
(7) Other medals for any war or campaign or mobilization for
which a medal has not been awarded by the federal government
may be:
(A) established by executive order of the governor; and
(B) awarded to members of any federally recognized military
force of the state who participated in the military force.
(8) An Air National Guard First Sergeant Ribbon is authorized for
a currently assigned member who serves or has previously served
as a first sergeant in the Indiana Air National Guard, if the
member meets the criteria set forth in clause (A). A request for an
award, including a retroactive award, must be submitted in the
manner set forth in clause (B), and meet any other criteria
established by the adjutant general. The ribbon shall consist of a
plain blue field with a silver diamond device in the center, and no
medal shall accompany the award of the ribbon. The ribbon shall
be awarded as follows:
(A) In recognition of meritorious service by a member of the
Indiana Air National Guard who has served in the first sergeant
career field, Special Duty Identifier 8F000, and who meets the
following criteria:
(i) Has been assigned to a valid first sergeant position for at
least three (3) years.
(ii) Graduated from either the United States Air Force
Academy or the Army National Guard First Sergeant
Academy.
(B) The individual unit commander of a member of the Indiana
Air National Guard who meets the criteria set forth in clause
(A) shall submit a letter to the wing commander,
recommending the member for the award based upon the
member's contributions, conduct, and demonstrated leadership
as a first sergeant. If the wing commander approves, the wing
commander shall forward the letter of recommendation to the
military personnel flight commanding officer for action. If the
wing commander disapproves, the wing commander shall
return the letter of recommendation to the unit commander.
(C) The adjutant general shall establish procedures for the
award presentation ceremony following accepted practice and
military tradition.
(9) An Indiana Funeral Honors Ribbon shall be awarded to all
members of the Indiana Air National Guard, the Indiana Army
National Guard, retired members of the Indiana Air National
Guard and Indiana Army National Guard, and members of
veterans' organizations who have been trained and certified by the
United States Department of Defense as Department of Defense
Funeral Honors participants. The Indiana Funeral Honors Ribbon
shall be awarded to denote honorable and distinguished service in
the performance of military funerals and similar activities within
Indiana.
(10) An Indiana Outstanding Airman or Soldier of the Year
Medal shall be awarded to the finest members of the Indiana
National Guard on an annual basis. This medal is authorized in
the quantities and qualifications set forth by the adjutant general,
who shall establish and publish procedures for award
presentation.
(11) An Indiana Exemplary Fitness Medal shall be awarded to
members and employees of the Indiana National Guard who
distinguish themselves for outstanding physical fitness. This
medal is authorized in the quantities and qualifications set forth
by the adjutant general, who shall establish and publish
procedures for award presentation.
For the purposes of this article, officers and enlisted persons of the
regular army assigned to the armed forces of Indiana as instructors and
assistant instructors shall be considered as officers and enlisted persons
of the Indiana armed forces.
[Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-2-9-1.]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.7. Amended by P.L.38-2011, SEC.12; P.L.169-2013, SEC.1; P.L.155-2025, SEC.5.