A state medal for any honorably discharged Mississippi veteran, wartime or peacetime, including Guard and Reserve. It costs $17, one per veteran, and payment is by check at the Jackson office only.
Also called: honor medal, state medal, $17, check only, peacetime, National Guard, Reserve, recognition.
The Mississippi Veterans Honor Medal recognizes Mississippi veterans for military service. It reaches further than most state recognition programs and the qualifying conditions are short.
A veteran qualifies who is a current resident of Mississippi, or was a resident on entering military service, or was a resident at the time of death; who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during wartime or peacetime; and who received an honorable discharge. Mississippi National Guard members and Reservists are named as eligible.
Peacetime service counts. That is worth stating because Mississippi's state employment preference, in contrast, requires 90 days during a period of war or armed conflict. The medal does not.
Only one medal is awarded per veteran or family, and the cost is $17. Two practical constraints on paying it: payment can be made only by check, and it must be paid at the agency's headquarters at Mississippi Veterans Affairs, 660 North Street, Suite 200, Jackson, MS 39202. There is no card payment and no mail-order fee route described, so plan on a trip or on coordinating with a county veterans service officer.
The application form is on the Mississippi Veterans Affairs website in printable and fillable versions. Attach a copy of the DD-214.
Because a veteran who was a Mississippi resident at the time of death qualifies, a family can obtain the medal for a deceased veteran. That is the most common reason to pursue it.
Mississippi Veterans Affairs' main office is in the War Memorial Building at 120 North State Street, Jackson, (601) 576-4850. The Honor Medal administrator sits at the North Street address rather than the War Memorial Building, so use the North Street address for this specifically.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Mississippi Veterans Honor Medal
Gate
Rule
Mississippi residency now, at entry into service, or at death
The veteran must be a current Mississippi resident, have been a resident on entering military service, or have been a resident at the time of death. No disability rating is involved, so the rating filter never hides this benefit.
Wartime or peacetime service, honorable discharge
Service in the U.S. Armed Forces during wartime or peacetime qualifies, with an honorable discharge. Mississippi National Guard members and Reservists are eligible. Unlike the state employment preference, this carries no wartime service requirement.
One medal per veteran, $17 by check at the Jackson office
Only one medal is awarded per veteran or family. The cost is seventeen dollars, payable only by check and only at Mississippi Veterans Affairs, 660 North Street, Suite 200, Jackson.
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Disclaimer
VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.