H.R. 8194: Agent Orange Service Medal Act

This bill, titled the Agent Orange Service Medal Act, proposes the creation of a commemorative military service medal to honor veterans who have been affected by Agent Orange, a chemical herbicide used during the Vietnam War. Below are the key components of the bill:

Establishment of the Medal

The bill mandates that the Secretary of Defense design and produce a service medal known as the **Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal**. This medal will be awarded to veterans who meet one of the following criteria:

• They receive compensation under specific sections of U.S. law related to veterans' benefits (sections 1116, 1116A, or 1116B of title 38).
• They are recognized as Vietnam-era herbicide-exposed veterans, according to the definitions in section 1710(e) of title 38.

Issuance of the Medal

The bill outlines the process for issuing the medal:

• Veterans who are eligible and certified by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs can request the Agent Orange Veterans Service Medal from the Secretary of Defense.
• If a veteran who qualifies is deceased, the medal may be issued to their next-of-kin.
• The Secretary of Defense is tasked with developing an application process for both veterans and their next-of-kin to apply to receive the medal.

Distribution and Application

The bill stipulates that the medal should be available to those who have served and have been impacted by Agent Orange exposure. It also seeks to ensure that the process for obtaining the medal is accessible through an appropriate application method.

Objective

The overall aim of the bill is to acknowledge and honor the sacrifices and challenges faced by veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, providing them with a symbolic recognition through the proposed medal.

Relevant Companies

None found.