Hurricane-relief mission rates humanitarian medal

[JPL]

Marines who helped residents of New York and New Jersey dig out from the destruction wrought by Hurricane Sandy last fall may be eligible for a Humanitarian Service Medal, according to the Defense Department. The super storm pummeled the region Oct. 29-30, causing severe flooding that destroyed homes and left millions without electricity for weeks. It is blamed for causing nearly 200 deaths in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Commanding officers will determine Marines’ eligibility for the medal, said Navy Lt. Courtney Hillson, a spokeswoman at the Pentagon. To be eligible, the following criteria must be met:

■ Marines had to be deployed to New York or New Jersey between Oct. 29 and Nov. 25.

■ The deployment had to be related to Hurricane Sandy.

■ Marines had to be performing humanitarian assistance while there.

■ Reservists must have been on active-duty status.

A future administrative message will provide further guidance.

Read the complete article: http://www.navytimes.com/article/20130824/NEWS05/308240007/Hurricane-relief-mission-rates-humanitarian-medal

Jean-Paul

[Paul R]

Nice to see that.