TITLE VIII
PUBLIC DEFENSE AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS

CHAPTER 110-B
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS AND VETERANS SERVICES

New Hampshire Medal of Honor

Section 110-B:81

    110-B:81 New Hampshire Medal of Honor. –

[Paragraph I(intro. par.) effective until January 1, 2027; see also paragraph I(intro. par.) set out below.]


I. There is established a New Hampshire medal of honor, which may be awarded on behalf of the people of the state of New Hampshire to any New Hampshire citizen who has given his or her life while in military service to protect and preserve the rights and freedoms of the people of New Hampshire on or after November 4, 1979, and while:


[Paragraph I(intro. par.) effective January 1, 2027; see also paragraph I(intro. par.) set out above.]


I. There is established a New Hampshire medal of honor, which may be awarded on behalf of the people of the state of New Hampshire to any New Hampshire citizen, or any person lawfully serving under federal or state authority in the armed forces of the United States or the New Hampshire national guard who was a legal resident of New Hampshire at the time of the qualifying service, who has given his or her life while in military service to protect and preserve the rights and freedoms of the people of New Hampshire on or after November 4, 1979, and while:
(a) Engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.
(b) Engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.
(c) Assigned as military personnel to friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
(d) Serving in a combat zone as designated by Presidential order and killed in action.
(e) Serving in the military and killed as a result of a terrorist act.
II. In addition to the individuals described in paragraph I, individuals eligible to receive the New Hampshire medal of honor are limited to:
(a) Members of the New Hampshire national guard at the time they were killed in action.
(b) Members of the United States military reserves who were legal residents of New Hampshire at the time they were killed in action.
(c) Members of the United States armed forces who were:
(1) Legal residents of New Hampshire at the time they were killed in action; or
(2) Stationed in New Hampshire by a proper order of the United States Department of Defense at the time they were killed in action.
III. Satisfying the requirements of paragraphs I and II shall not result in the automatic award of the New Hampshire medal of honor. The totality of the circumstances of the death shall also be considered in awarding the medal of honor.
IV. The New Hampshire medal of honor shall be awarded, with the recommendation of the adjutant general, by a joint resolution introduced by the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, or the senator or a member of the house of representatives representing the town or city of residence of the individual killed.
V. The adjutant general, with the approval of the governor and council, shall design and provide for the manufacture of the New Hampshire medal of honor. The adjutant general shall design and maintain a New Hampshire medal of honor roll, which shall be available for public viewing.
VI. The governor shall present the New Hampshire medal of honor awarded under this section to the family members of the recipient.
VII. The adjutant general shall cause the name of a recipient of the New Hampshire medal of honor to be entered on the New Hampshire medal of honor roll.

Source. 2007, 370:1, eff. Sept. 15, 2007. 2013, 245:1, eff. July 24, 2013. 2026, 214:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2027.