1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act”.
Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act
A BILL
To authorize the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces who were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of participation in the testing of nuclear weapons or under other circumstances.
2. Atomic Veterans Service Medal
Service medal required— The Secretary of Defense shall design and produce a military service medal, to be known as the “Atomic Veterans Service Medal”, to honor retired and former members of the Armed Forces who are radiation-exposed veterans (as such term is defined in section 1112(c)(3) of title 38, United States Code).
Distribution of medal—
Issuance to retired and former members— At the request of a radiation-exposed veteran, the Secretary of Defense shall issue the Atomic Veterans Service Medal to the veteran.
Issuance to next-of-kin— In the case of a radiation-exposed veteran who is deceased, the Secretary may provide for issuance of the Atomic Veterans Service Medal to the next-of-kin of the person.
Application— The Secretary shall prepare and disseminate as appropriate an application by which radiation-exposed veterans and their next-of-kin may apply to receive the Atomic Veterans Service Medal.