Title: INTERNET SCOUTING
Author: Michael F. Bowman
Company: Attorney at Law

SCOUTS-L
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HEROISM AWARDS

From mfbowman@CapAccess.org Fri Feb 21 01:22:15 1997
Date: Fri, 21 Feb 1997 01:22:14 -0500 (EST)
From: "Michael F. Bowman" <mfbowman@CapAccess.org>
To: Robert B Carswell <my-scout-net@JUNO.COM>
cc: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Life saving
In-Reply-To: <19970215.235539.3630.0.my-scout-net@juno.com>
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91-FP.970221005625.19920B-100000@cap1.capaccess.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Status: RO
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Bob,

BSA recognizes Scouts who have exhibited personal bravery in saving a 
life or helping others through an outstanding act with a series of awards 
depending on the nature of the action.

The Honor Medal with Crossed Palms is given in an exceptional case to a 
youth member or leader who has demonstrated unusual heroism and 
extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or attepting to save 
life at extreme risk to self.  Example, A Scout sees an accident with a 
fuel truck on fire and the driver unconscious and  drags the driver to 
safety just before the truck explodes.  His life was at extreme risk in 
the rescue and without his action the driver would have died.  No other 
response could have saved the driver's life, but for the bravery of the 
Scout.

The Honor Medal is given to a youth member or leader who has demonstrated 
unusual heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save life at 
considerable risk to self.

The Heroism Medal is given to a youth member or leader who has 
demonstrated heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save life at 
minimum risk to self.

The Medal of Merit is given to a youth member or leader who has performed 
an act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an 
uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others.

The National Certificate of Merit is awarded to a youth member or leader 
who has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of 
special national recognition.

All of the above awards are presented by the National Court of Honor.

The procedure involved is as follows:

Contact your professional staff and request a form for recommending a 
Scout for a Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Award.

The form requires a summary statement of the event.  You should attach 
any photographs, newspaper clippings, and statements of any eyewitnesses.
Note:  Councils are advised in the "Advancement Policies And Procedures 
Committee Guide" at p. 23 "It is recommended that no case be forwarded to 
the National Court of Honor without the endorsement or statement of an 
eyewitness."  Further, members are not encouraged to submit an 
application on his or her own behalf.

This form will go to your Council's Advancement Committee or a special 
Awards Committee depending on how your Council is organized.  This 
committee is responsible for investigating the matter and presenting the 
case to the Council Committee.

The Council Committee is charged with forwarding a recommendation to the 
National Court of Honor.  The National Court of Honor has discretion to 
determine which, if any, type of recognition shall be given.

Some Councils also have local Meritorious Act Certificates given when 
Scouts show meritorous action not meeting the criteria for National 
recognition, but still noteworthy.

Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
Dep.Dist.Commissioner-Training, G.W.Dist., NCAC, BSA (Virginia)
U. S. Scouting Service Project FTP Site Administrator (PC Area)
ftp1 or ftp2.scouter.com/usscouts E-mail: mfbowman@capaccess.org