State of Maine Silver Star Honorable Service Recognition

The Maine Silver Star Honorable Service Medal is a State of Maine recognition awarded to members of the Armed Forces that were authorized the Purple Heart for wounds received while serving in a combat theater and meet the following criteria.

Medal Description

  • Finish: Antique Bronze
  • Diameter: 1.50 inches
  • Thickness: .144 inches
  • Die: Full sculptural medallic relief
  • Ribbon: Full drape with color ribbon the same color as the blue in the American Flag
  • Designed by: Local Artist, Gary Cooper of Fayette, Maine
  • Struck by: Medalcraft Mint, Inc of Green Bay, WI

Certificate: A certificate will accompany presentation of medal.

Criteria for Award is as follows:

Wounded after September 11, 2001:

  • Resident of Maine upon entry on qualifying active duty tour and
  • Current resident of Maine and
  • Received Honorable Discharge and
  • Must have been awarded Purple Heart or
  • Killed-in-action and received award of Gold Star Honorable Service Medal

Wounded prior to September 11, 2001:

  • Resident of Maine upon entry on qualifying active duty tour and/or current resident of Maine for at least five (5) years and
  • Received Honorable Discharge and
  • Served in a combat theater and awarded Purple Heart

Prisoner of War since beginning of World War II

  • Resident of Maine upon entry on qualifying active duty tour or current resident of Maine for at least (5) years and
  • Received Honorable Discharge
  • Veteran or primary next of kin can receive award

NOTE: Only one Silver Star Honorable Service Medal will be resented to veteran.

Application:

Qualifying individuals applying for the award must complete an application and forward along with a copy of DD Form 214 (Separation from Active Duty) attesting to the fact that an Honorable Discharge was granted and you were a resident of Maine at the time of entry on active duty. DD 214/DD 215 or official documentation must show award of Purple Heart and/or Prisoner of War status. Families applying for medal must provide primary next of kin documentation.

If you meet the criteria for this award and would like to apply to receive it, please click the application link below. This application does require that your compuer have Acrobat Reader installed. A free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader may be obtained by clicking Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Maine Silver Star Honorable Service Medal Application Form (PDF)

Presentation:

Once eligibility has been verified, Maine Veterans' Services will contact veteran or family and schedule a presentation ceremony if requested otherwise the medal and certificate will be mailed..

A listing of those individuals that have currently been awarded Silver Star Honorable Service Medals is available in an Adobe Acrobat Reader format and may be accessed by clicking the following link:

Maine's Silver Star Honorable Service Medal Recipients (PDF)

The medal would not be possible without Governor's Baldacci's legislative and financial support in conjunction with the support of the 122nd Legislature that gave the authority to the Director of the Bureau of Veterans' Services to strike medals, coins and certificates to honor Maine's veterans.

The event on September 11, 2001 has changed our nation. The recognition of men and women from Maine who have been wounded in defense of our nation and fought for our citizen's freedom is extremely significant and important.