Medals & Ribbons of the Texas Military Forces

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In addition to the medals and awards presented here members may wear awards and decorations earned while serving in the Federal military.

Personal Decorations for Valor and Service
The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor	Texas Govt Code Sec. 431.131 Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.     The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor shall be awarded to a member of the state military forces who voluntarily performs a deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice involving risk of life that is so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the person for gallantry and intrepidity above the person's comrades. Awarding of the medal shall be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. The medal may be awarded only on incontestable proof of performance of the deed.
Lone Star Medal of Valor	Texas Govt Code Sec. 431.132. Lone Star Medal of Valor.     The Lone Star Medal of Valor shall be awarded to a member of the military forces of this state, another state, or the United States who performs specific acts of bravery or outstanding courage, or who performs within an exceptionally short period a closely related series of heroic acts, if the acts involve personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life and result in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the person apart from the person's comrades or from other persons in similar circumstances. Awarding of the medal requires a lesser degree of gallantry than awarding of the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, but requires that the acts be performed with marked distinction.
Texas Purple Heart Medal	Texas Govt Code Sec. 431.134 Para 10. Texas Purple Heart Medal.     The Texas Purple Heart Medal shall be awarded to any member of the Texas Military Forces, after 11 September 2001, who was inducted into federal service from the Texas Military Forces, and meets the criteria for an award of the Federal Purple Heart Medal.
Texas Superior Service Medal	Texas Govt Code Sec. 431.134 Para 11. Texas Superior Service Medal.     The Texas Superior Service Medal shall be awarded to: (A) a member of the state military forces who has: (i) completed 30 or more years of honorable state service or a combination of state and federal service; and (ii) continually demonstrated superior performance and service while assigned to key leadership positions demanding responsibility; or (B) a civilian who has contributed significant service to the state military forces.
Lone Star Distinguished Service Award	Texas Govt Code Sec. 431.133. Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal.     The Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal shall be awarded to a member of the military forces of this state, another state, or the United States for exceptionally outstanding achievement or service to the state in performance of a duty of great responsibility while serving with the state military forces.
Texas Outstanding Service Medal	Texas Govt Code 431.134 Para 4 Texas Outstanding Service Medal     The Texas Outstanding Service Medal, which may be presented to a member of the military forces of this state, another state, or the United States who has performed service in a superior and clearly outstanding manner. The Adjutant General shall make rules and regulations pertaining to this award.
Texas Medal of Merit	Texas Govt Code 431.134 Para 3 Texas Medal of Merit     The Texas Medal of Merit which may be presented to a member of the military forces of this state, another state, or the United States who performs outstanding service or attains extraordinary achievement in behalf of the state or United States. The Adjutant General shall make rules and regulations pertaining to this award.
Adjutant General's Individual Award	Adjutant General's Individual Award     The Adjutant General's Individual Award is presented to any member of the State Military Forces who, while serving in any capacity, shall have distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or outstanding service, when such action or duty is extremely noteworthy but of a lesser degree than that required for award of a higher State of Texas decoration.
Texas State Guard  Meritorious Service Ribbon	Texas State Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon     The Texas State Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon is awarded to any member of the Texas State Guard, who while serving in any capacity shall distinguish themselves by meritorious service or achievement but of a lesser degree than that required for the Adjutant General's Individual Award. However, the service or achievement shall be such that it clearly sets them above their peers and above what is to be normally expected. Successive awards are identified by an oak-leaf cluster device.
Commanding General's Individual Award	Texas State Guard Commanding General's Individual Award     This Award may be given to any member of the Texas State Guard by the Commanding General at any Texas State Guard function or activity for exceptional performance. The ribbon may be awarded by the Commanding general as a "pocket award" or through recommendation by unit commanders. Subsequent awards are identified by the use of oak-leaf clusters.
Texas State Guard Recruiting Ribbon	Texas State Guard Recruiting Ribbon     The Texas State Guard Recruiting Ribbon can be awarded to any member of the Texas State Guard who recruits at least five individuals who are active members for six or more months. Subsequent awards are identified by Numeral devices in increments of 5 which will represent the number of recruits.

Service Awards
Texas Federal Service Medal	Texas Govt Code 431.134 Para 2 Federal Service Medal The Federal Service Medal shall be awarded to a person who was inducted into federal service from the state military forces between 15 Jun 1940 and 1 Jan 1946 or after 1 Jun 1950, if the service was for more than 9 months.
Texas Desert Shield / Desert Storm Medal	Texas Govt Code 431.134 Para 6 Texas Desert Shield--Texas Desert Storm Campaign Medal The Texas Desert Shield/ Desert Storm Campaign Medal shall be awarded to a person who was inducted into federal service from the Texas National Guard after 1 Aug 1990, in support of Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm, without regard to the place that the person was deployed while serving on active federal military duty.
Texas Humanitarian Service Ribbon	Texas Govt Code 431.134 Para 7 Texas Humanitarian Service Ribbon     The Texas Humanitarian Service Ribbon shall be awarded to a person who: (A) does not meet the criteria for an award of the federal Humanitarian Service Medal; (B) is a member of the state military forces; and (C) while serving under state active duty orders, participates satisfactorily in the accomplishment of missions to protect life or property during or soon after a natural disaster or civil unrest;
Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal	Texas Govt Code Sec. 431.134 Para 11. Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal.     The Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal shall be awarded to any member of the state military forces who served: (A) on or after September 11, 2001; (B) on state active duty or active duty under state authority in accordance with Title 32 of the United States Code; and (C) satisfactorily in defense support to a mission in the state under civilian authority
Texas Combat Service Ribbon	Texas Govt Code 431.134 Para 9 Texas Combat Service Ribbon     The Texas Combat Service Ribbon shall be awarded to any member of the Texas Military Forces, after 11 Sep 2001, who is deployed overseas for a period of not less than 30 days of deployment, served or flying into a hostile fire zone, and in support of OIF/OEF, and any future combat operations.
Texas Cavalry Service Medal	Texas Govt Code 431.134 Para 8 Texas Cavalry Service Medal     The Texas Cavalry Service Medal is a “One Time Award”. Awarded to any member serving in the 124th Cavalry after 11 Sep 2001, who is deployed overseas for a period of not less than 30 days of deployment, served in a hostile fire zone, and in support of OIF/OEF, and any future combat operations. There is no provision for subsequent awards.
Texas Faithful Service Medal	Texas Govt Code 431.134 Para 1 Texas Faithful Service Medal     The Texas Faithful Service Medal shall be awarded to a member of the state military forces who has completed five years of honorable service during which the person has shown fidelity to duty, efficient service, and great loyalty to the state.
Texas State Guard Service Medal	Texas Govt Code 431.134 Para 5 Texas State Guard Service Medal     The Texas State Guard Service Medal, shall be awarded to a person completing three consecutive years of honorable service in the Texas State Guard during which the person has shown fidelity to duty, efficient service, and great loyalty to the state.

Training Awards
Texas State Guard Officer Professional Military Education Ribbon	TXSG Officer Professional Development Ribbon     The Officer Professional Development Ribbon is awarded to members of the Texas State Guard Officer Corps upon successful completion of prescribed Officer Academy, approved university, college, ROTC, and other approved Courses of study which clearly contribute to the professional development of the officer. This ribbon will be awarded to officers who have completed Federal or State Command and staff Training. This ribbon may be awarded to officers engaged in the TSG education and training program for course and program development and/or instructing in the program for a prescribed number of courses/hours.
Texas State Guard OPME Ribbon with 5 FEMA Courses	TXSG OPME Ribbon with 5 FEMA Courses     The OPME Ribbon with 5 FEMA Courses is awarded to members of the Texas State Guard Officer Corps upon successful completion of the Officer Professional Military Education Ribbon and an additional five (5) FEMA Courses.
Texas State Guard NCO Professional Development Ribbon	NCO Professional Development Ribbon     The NCO Professional Development Ribbon is awarded to members of the Texas State Guard upon successful completion of prescribed NCO Basic Course, approved university, college, ROTC, and other approved Courses of study which clearly contribute to the professional development of the soldier. This ribbon may also be awarded for approved developmental courses provided by other military services or Federal or State government agencies.
Texas State Guard NCO PD Ribbon with 5 FEMA Courses	NCO PD Ribbon with 5 FEMA Courses     The NCO PD Ribbon with 5 FEMA Courses is awarded to members of the Texas State Guard Officer Corps upon successful completion of the NCO Professional Development Ribbon and an additional five (5) FEMA Courses.
Texas State Guard Enlisted Personnel Basic Training Ribbon	TXSG Enlisted Personnel Basic Training Ribbon     This ribbon is awarded upon certification of completion of Basic Training.
Texas State Guard Physical Fitness Ribbon	TXSG Physical Fitness Ribbon     The Texas State guard Physical Fitness Ribbon will be awarded to any member of the Texas State Guard who demonstrates above average physical ability. The requirement for the award is as follows: (1) Successfully complete a two mile run or swim based upon an individual's age and gender group, and (2) Perform the required amount of push-ups and sit-ups as required by age and gender groups.
Texas State Guard Air Weapons Qualification Ribbon	TXSG Air Weapons Qualification Ribbon     The Texas State Guard Air Weapons Qualification Ribbon will be awarded to any member of the Texas State Guard Air Division who .
Texas State Guard Lifetime Medal	TXSG Lifetime Medal     The Texas State Guard Lifetime Medal will be awarded to any member of the Texas State Guard who .

Unit Awards (worn on right pocket only)
Governor's Unit Citation	Meritorious Unit Award	Organizational Excellence Award

Guard Association or the State Guard Association of the United States. Wear of these ribbons are authorized, but are junior in precedence to all State or Federal Awards.

Association Ribbons
State Guard Association of the United States	Texas State Guard Association

Unit Awards (worn on right pocket only)

SGAUS Superior Unit Citation

State Guard Association of the United States Ribbons

Some of this information taken from from The Texas State Guard Association and from Subtitle C Section 431 of the Texas Government Code