Criteria for Receiving a Gold Medal

Eligibility for the Gold Medal of Remembrance is limited to children who have lost a parent in a theater of conflict in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom . Using Public Law 89-534 (Authorizing Award of Gold Star Lapel Buttons, H.R. 3013, signed 8/11/1966) as a guide, the White House Commission defines “children” as children by birth (having the parent’s name on the birth certificate and/or by proving that the deceased parent was actively paying child support). For stepchildren, a copy of the marriage license showing marriage of the deceased service member to the child’s birth parent would demonstrate the legal relationship. For adopted children, an amended birth certificate should be presented that the child was legally adopted by the deceased service member at the time of his/her death.All information of the applicant, including, but not limited to, the Gold Medal of Remembrance application and supporting documents, should be processed through the White House Commission on Remembrance to verify eligibility and ensure data integrity. Copies of the official documents listed above fulfill this requirement.

Where is the Gold Medal presented?

Generally, presentation of the Gold Medal will be at one of the following sites: the Annual National Time of Remembrance Ceremony held in Washington, DC; a U.S. Military Installation; or at a local National Guard or Reserve Headquarters suitable for such ceremony. For a family who seeks a private venue for presentation or does not live near (within 100 miles of) one of the aforementioned locations, a U.S. military casualty officer may deliver it to the child/children at their home, or at a mutually agreed on local site.

Who presents a Gold Medal?

At the Time of Remembrance Ceremony, the Joint Chiefs present the Gold Medal. At military installations, a U.S. Military representative and/or a Member of Congress presents the Gold Medal. The White House Commission on Remembrance will provide the format for the ceremony.