Application for State Medals

Image OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Image New Jersey Department of Military Affairs New Jersey Department of Military Affairs

APPLICATION FOR STATE MEDALS

Purpose of this Form:

This online application can be used by eligible veterans, or their next of kin, to apply for the following New Jersey State Service Medals:

  • NJ Distinguished Service Medal
  • NJ Meritorious Service Medal
  • NJ Korean Service Medal
  • NJ Vietnam Service Medal
  • NJ Desert Storm Medal
  • NJ POW/MIA Medal
  • NJ Global War on Terrorism Medal

To learn more about each medal and it's eligibility requirements, please visit our New Jersey Service Medals web page.

To begin this application, click the "Next" button at the bottom of the page.

Note: For any issues with this online form or the application process, please email NJServiceMedals@dma.nj.gov.

American Legion Emblem

Do you plan to attend the medal ceremony for the NJ Women Veterans Recognition Day at the 2026 American Legion Convention in Wildwood?
The absolute “deadline/cut-off date” to be included in this Ceremony is May 29, 2026!

Service Medal Selection

Please indicate below which New Jersey Service Medal(s) you are applying for. Only one application needs to be submitted, regardless of how many medals you check below. 

The staff at the New Jersey Department of Military Affairs will review your application, and the supporting documentation you provide, to confirm eligibility.

Which medals are you applying for? (Check all the apply)
Please Note: The awarding of a NJ Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) usurps a NJ Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). The MSM is not awarded simultaneously with a DSM. 

Who are you submitting this application on behalf of?

Your Details

Veteran's Details

Your Service History

Veteran's Service History

Military Branch #1

Wartime service (check all that apply)
Which GWOT operation(s) did you serve in?
Type of combat
Theater of operations (check all that apply)

Military Branch #2

Wartime service (check all that apply)
Which GWOT operation(s) did you serve in?
Type of combat
Theater of operations (check all that apply)

Military Branch #3

Wartime service (check all that apply)
Which GWOT operation(s) did you serve in?
Type of combat
Theater of operations (check all that apply)

Supporting Documentation

The following supporting documents are required to establish your eligibility for New Jersey State Medals:

  • Discharge paperwork indicating “honorable discharge"
    • Acceptable documents include DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or WD AGO 53-58
  • Proof of NJ residency, if not already provided on discharge paperwork
  • If applicable, evidence of active duty service in qualifying areas or contiguous waters or airspace 
  • If applicable, copy of Death Certificate for posthumous awards 
  • If applicable, evidence of status as POW or MIA 

If you do not have these documents ready, you can mail them to our office, or you can click the "Save" button at the bottom of this page and complete this online application later.

If you click the "Save" button, you will receive an email from "njdma@simpligov.com" with a link you can use to return to this online application. The information you've already entered will be preserved and you can continue where you left off.

Please Note: Redact the first 5 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) anywhere it appears in your documentation. We only need the last 4 digits of your SSN to process your application.

The following supporting documents are required to establish the Veteran's eligibility for New Jersey State Medals:

  • Discharge paperwork indicating “honorable discharge"
    • Acceptable documents include DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or WD AGO 53-58
  • Proof of New Jersey residency, if not already provided on discharge paperwork
  • If applicable, evidence of active duty service in qualifying areas or contiguous waters or airspace 
  • If applicable, copy of Death Certificate for posthumous awards 
  • If applicable, evidence of status as POW or MIA 

 

If you do not have these documents ready, you can mail them to our office, or you can click the "Save" button at the bottom of this page and complete this online application later.

If you click the "Save" button, you will receive an email from "njdma@simpligov.com" with a link you can use to return to this online application. The information you've already entered will be preserved and you can continue where you left off.

Please Note: Redact the first 5 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) anywhere it appears in your documentation. We only need the last 4 digits of your SSN to process your application.
Will you be attaching these documents with this online application, or will you mail them in separately?

Instructions for Mailing Supporting Documents

DO NOT SEND ORIGINALS, but copies of the documents listed in the section above.

Mail supporting copied documents to:

NJ Department of Military Affairs
ATTN: Awards
P.O. BOX 340
Trenton, NJ 08625-0340

Attachments

Next of Kin Contact Information for Posthumous Award

How would you like to receive the award?

Applicant Signature

By submitting this application, I agree that any information I provide may be stored and made available to any person having a legitimate need for the information. I further understand that New Jersey Department of Military Affairs personnel shall determine who has such a need for this information.


By submitting this online form, I acknowledge the Privacy Notice for the New Jersey Department of Military Affairs.