ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY
The Department of Transportation 9-11 Medal was established by Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
EFFECTIVE DATES
The Department of Transportation 9-11 Medal was awarded for actions that took place between September 11, 2001 and September 11, 2002.
CRITERIA
The Department of Transportation 9-11 Medal was awarded to employees of the Department of Transportation (including members of the Coast Guard) and to private citizens for meritorious service resulting from unusual and outstanding achievement in response to the attacks on September 11, 2001. This award is authorized for the following personnel:
- It was presented posthumously to those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and who had immediate familiy employed by the Department of Transportation.
- It was awarded to employees of the Detpartment of Transportation who were on scene at the World Trade Center complex in New York, the crash site in Pennsylvania, or at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 and who performed a role in the initial rescue and recovery operations.
- It could be awarded to all personnel directly involved in the evacuation of lower Manhattan, to include DOT employees, masters and crew of commercial vessels, and crews of recreational boats that actually transported evacuees during the evacuation on September 11, 2001. The level of effort must have clearly set the member above that described in the 9-11 ribbon.
- It was awarded to personnel who demonstrated extraordinary participation or leadership while patrolling harbors, securing critical infastructure facilities, escorting high interest vessels, and conducting boardings of vessels entering U.S. waters during the period of September 11, 2001 to September 11, 2002. The level of effort must have clearly set the member above that described in the 9-11 ribbon.
- It was awarded to employees of the Department of Transportation who demonstrated extraordinary dedication or leadership between September 11, 2001 and September 11, 2002. Participation must have been at an exceptional level to warrant consideration for awarding the 9-11 Medal. The level of effort must have clearly set the member well above that described in the 9-11 ribbon.
ORDER OF PRECEDENCE
When worn by Coast Guard personnel, the 9-11 Medal is worn after the Joint Service Achievement Medal and before the Coast Guard Achievement Medal.
DEVICES
No provision has been made for additional awards of the 9-11 Medal
DESIGNER
The design of the DoT 9-11 Medal was not coordinated with the Army's Institute of Heraldy, and the identity of its actual designer is not known.
FIRST RECIPIENT
The identity of the first recipient is unknown.
DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM
Obverse
In the center of a bronze medallion a burning candle surmounts eleven rays of light arising from the candle; nine of the rays terminate with a five-pointed star. Beneath the candle is an olive branch which rises from the bottom of the candle to the first ray of light. Beneath the wreath is the Latin inscription NE OBLIVISCARIS, and this entire central theme is contained within a raised circle. Between this raised circle and the raised outer edge of the medal is the inscription, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (at the top) and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA at the bottom. These two sections are separated by a small triskellion at the three o'clock and nine o'clock positions.
Reverse
The reverse bears the words FOR SERVICE AND / SACRIFICE TO / THE UNITED STATES / OF AMERICA / DURING AND AFTER / THE TRAGIC EVENTS OF / SEPTEMBER 11, 2001.
Ribbon
The ribbon consists equal portions of red, white and blue and is edged in white.