Texas Superior Service Medal

The Texas Superior Service Medal is the fourth highest military decoration that can be conferred to service members of the Texas Military Forces.[1] It can also be conferred to civilians.[2] No devices are authorized for this decoration.[2]

Texas Superior Service Medal
TypeMilitary decoration
Awarded for30+ years of exceptional service
DescriptionThe neck ribbon is green with blue stripes near the outer edges, and three white stars. The medal is bronze in the shape of a star with the word "Joint" in a bar above it. Around the star are the words "Superior Service" and "Texas Military Forces."
Presented byTexas Military Department
EligibilityTexas Military Forces or civilians
StatusCurrently issued
EstablishedJune 15, 2007
Texas Superior Service Medal medal ribbon
Precedence
Next (higher)Texas Purple Heart Medal
Next (lower)Texas Distinguished Service Medal

Eligibility

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The Texas Superior Service Medal may be conferred to: (A) a service member of the Texas Military Forces who has: (i) completed 30 or more years of honorable service or a combination of Texas and United States Armed Forces service; and (ii) continually demonstrated superior performance and service while assigned to key leadership positions demanding responsibility; or (B) a civilian who has contributed significant service to the Texas Military Forces.[3]

Authority

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Conferring

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The Adjutant General of Texas.[2]

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The Texas Superior Service Medal was established by Representative Dan Flynn in House Bill Number 2896, authorized by the Eightieth Texas Legislature, and approved by Governor Rick Perry on 15 June 2007, effective the same date.[4]

Description

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The medal pendant is made of gold-finished bronze and measures 2 inches in diameter. The front side of the pendant features a raised, five-pointed star that is 1+14 inches in size. In the center of the star is a banner with the raised letters "TEXAS MILITARY FORCES." The words "SUPERIOR" and "SERVICE" are written in raised letters on the upper left and upper right parts of the star respectively. On the reverse side of the medal pendant, the name of the recipient and the date are inscribed. The pendant is suspended from a silk moiré ribbon that is 1-3/8 inches wide and composed of hunter green with two azure blue pin stripes. The ribbon also features three white stars that are centered within it, symbolizing the three branches of the Texas Military Forces.[2]

Recipients

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Date conferred Service Member Citation Ref
December 14, 2013 Command Sergeant Major Michael Parton For 48 years of combined service in the Texas Military Forces and United States Armed Forces [5]
October 29, 2017 Lieutenant General Gerald R. Betty For 41 years of combined service in the Texas Military Forces and United States Armed Forces [6]
January 28, 2018 Major General Howard Palmer For 38 years of combined service in the Texas Military Forces and United States Armed Forces [7]
May 23, 2019 First Sergeant Keith D. Bickers For 33 years of combined service in the Texas Military Forces and United States Armed Forces
July 28, 2019 Colonel Joseph Jelinski Jr. For 48 years of combined service in the Texas Military Forces and United States Armed Forces [8]
August 1, 2019 Major General Johann R. Kinsey
August 23, 2019 Brigadier General Thomas C. Hamilton
July 26, 2022 Brigadier General Marco Coppola For exceptionally meritorious service for 37 years in the Texas Military Forces and United States Armed Forces.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "State Awards". TMD.
  2. ^ a b c d "Joint Force Texas Regulation (1-07)" (PDF). Texas Military Department. August 1, 2009.
  3. ^ Govt Code Sec. 431.134 Para 11.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Bill HB 2896, Legislative Session 80(R)". Texas Legislature Online.
  5. ^ Antely, LTC Cendy (December 14, 2013). "Texas State Guard held a change of command and retirement". Texas Military Department.
  6. ^ Schmelzer, Janet. "Bvt. Lt. Gen. Gerald R. Betty Retires as Texas State Guard Commander". Texas Military Department.
  7. ^ "ACC Commander, BG Howard Palmer retired in a ceremony presided by TXSG Interim Commander, MG Robert Bodisch. BG Palmer received the TX Superior Service Medal for his 38 years of service to the US and TX. He was also given a Brevet promotion to Major General". Twitter, Texas State Guard.
  8. ^ "Texas State Guard Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Robert Bodisch presented Col. Joseph Jelinski Jr. the Texas Superior Service Medal for distinguishing himself in multiple significant assignments over a career spanning more than 48 years between federal and state service". Twitter, Texas State Guard.