HARRISBURG – Legislation which allows the adjutant general to award certain PA medals to members of strategic allies has been signed into law. Senate Bill 141 is now Act 16 of 2023. Current PA law only allows civilians, veterans, members of the PA National Guard, or the U.S. Armed Forces and their reserve components to be presented with the PA Distinguished Service Medal and the PA Meritorious Service Medal. Bill sponsor, Sen. Doug Mastriano of Adams & Franklin Counties says as military tensions arise across the globe, it’s important for us to be able to recognize strategic allies, like Lithuania, which has a formal relationship with the PA National Guard for 30 years. He added his measure allows us to additionally honor Korean soldiers who fought alongside American service members in Vietnam. The measure was supported by the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the PA National Guard Association.
SEN. DOUG MASTRIANO