MEDAL FOR MERIT
To whom awarded:
- Current New York State citizen, or
- New York State citizen while serving on federal active duty, and
- A current of former full-time military person serving in the Armed Forces of the United States or allied forces for purposes other than training since 6 April, 1917; Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) excepted, and
- Who is currently serving under honorable conditions or who has been honorably discharged from active duty.
- A non-New York State citizen, who is an active member in the New York State organized militia, and as an active member in the New York State organized militia, served with units of the New York State organized militia while on federal active duty for purposes other than training and/or annual training.
Criteria:
The Medal for Merit may be awarded to any current New York State citizen or person who was a New York State citizen while serving on federal active duty; or, a non-New York State citizen who is an active member in the New York State organized militia, and as an active member in the New York State organized militia, served with units of the New York State organized militia while on federal active duty for purposes other than training and/or annual training; whose entire service was honorable and who were recepients of a valor, achievement, commendation, or meritorious service decoration, of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Conspicious Service Cross, or whose service was in direct support of combat operations while serving in the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. The award of the Medal for Merit is based on prior award of at least one of the following federal decorations:
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Coast Guard Commendation Medal
- Aerial Achievement Medal
- Joint Service Achievement Medal
- Army Achievement Medal
- Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal
- Coast Guard Achievement Medal
- Gold Lifesaving Medal
- Silver Lifesaving Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal
- Korean Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Southwest Asia Service Medal
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Armed Forces Expeditionary medal
- Armed Forces Service Medal
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Combat Medical Badge
- Navy Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia
- Mariner's Medal (Merchant Marine-WW2)
- Merchant marine Combat Bar (WW2)
- Kosovo Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Marine Corps Expeditionary
- Navy Expeditionary Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Afganistan Campaign Medal
- Combat Action Badge
- Army of Occupation Medal
- Navy Occupation Service Medal
Standards:
This medal shall be awarded only to those persons whose entire service, subsequent to the time of receipt of the citation, shall have been honorable. All of the Aforementioned qualifying awards must have been earned while serving on federal active duty in the armed forces of the United States. The New York State Medal for Merit may be awarded posthumously to a designated survivor of the deceased. Not more than one New York State Medal for Merit shall be awarded to any one person, nor shall this medal be awarded to any person who was previously awarded the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. For each succeeding award a Medal device (New York State Shield) will be attached to the suspension ribbon and/or ribbon bar. These devices shall be:
Silver 
to represent one additional award and
Gold 
to represent five additional awards.
How awarded:
Applications for the New York State Medal for Merit will be made by using DMNA Form 106B-R or by letter request to this agency, (DMNA) ATTN: MNP-AWD 330 Old Niskayuna Rd. Latham, NY 12110. All requests will be forwarded with substantiating documentation (e.g. DD FORM 214, WD AGO FORM 53-55). Documentation must include Honorable Discharge, list of awards/ certificates/permanent orders and indicate current New York State citizenship or New York State citizenship while serving on federal active duty. If you do not have in your possession the required documentation necessary for eligibility or require confirmation of your federal award entitlements, it is suggested you write to:
National Personnel Records Center
Veterans Special Actions Division
9700 Page Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63132
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