A council advancement committee, volunteer recognition committee,
or subcommittee must investigate the case, interview the
principals and witnesses, secure
necessary signed statements, and make recommendations based upon
a full knowledge of the facts within 30 days of the receipt
of the recommendation.
Unless there are unusual circumstances that account for the time
lapse, no application may be considered after a lapse of
six months from the deed
without a written explanation from the Scout executive or adviser
to the council committee.
Separate applications are required if more than one member is being
recommended for recognition. It is recommended that no case be forwarded
to the National Court of Honor without the endorsement or statement of
an eyewitness. All recognitions are reserved for registered members,
and no such member should be encouraged to submit an application on his
or her own behalf. Caution is urged not to submit weak cases (in terms
of meaningful action or documentation) to the National Court of Honor.
Deliberations are conducted by the court, not only to recognize deserving
individuals but also to preserve the historical integrity of the awards.
Recommendation for Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Award,
Form No. 92-104B
Lifesaving Awards
Recognition may be given to a member of the Boy
Scouts of America—Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venturer,
or adult leader—where the evidence presented to the
National Court of Honor, in accordance with prescribed regulations,
shows that he or she saved or attempted to save life under
circumstances that indicate heroism and risk of his or her
own life. The court will give consideration to resourcefulness
and to demonstrated skill in rescue methods.
Recognition may be given to a youth member or adult leader
where the evidence presented to the National Court of Honor,
in accordance with prescribed regulations, shows that a
significant or outstanding act of service of exceptional
character was
performed. The action taken need not involve attempts of
rescue or risk to self but must put into practice Scouting
skills
and/or ideals. Recognition shall not be given where it
appears that the action involved was merely in the performance
of duty
or the meeting of an obligation.
Knot Number & Description: No. 05010
- Red knot on tan background
Overview: May be awarded to a youth member
or adult leader who demonstrated unusual heroism and skill
in saving or attempting to save life at considerable risk
to self. In exceptional cases, when the person demonstrated
both unusual heroism & extraordinary skill or resourcefulness
in saving or attempting to save life at extreme risk
to self, the medal is awarded with crossed palms attached to
the ribbon and called the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms.
Requirements: (Nominations must be submitted
on form No. 92-104.)
Nominations for concurrently registered members who meet the criteria
in the preceding paragraph should be submitted within 6 months of the
date of action and must be accompanied by the following:
Personally prepared and signed statement by person performing
action describing the incident
Personally prepared and signed statement by the rescued
person, if any.
Personally prepared and signed statement by each witness,
describing the action as he or she recalls the details.
Include name, address, & phone of all witnesses.
Summary of the council committee of the event (page 5 of
the nomination form).
IF RECOMENDATION WILL ARRIVE AT NATIONAL COURT OF HONOR
MORE THAT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF ACTION: Letter
explaining the delay in submitting the recommendation.
Typed copy of al the above stapled to each original document.
Glossy photo of the individual who made the rescue (5" x
7" desired).
Completion and submission of the 6 page Recommendation
for Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Award (Form No.
92-104B, 1999 printing or later).
Commentary: When awarded, the Crossed Palms
are worn on the ribbon only, not on the knot. The crossed palms
are available on a restricted basis for recipients only from
the Council Services Division at the national office.
Knot Number & Description: No. 05020
- Red knot on white background
Overview: May be awarded to a youth member
or adult leader who demonstrated heroism and skill in saving
or attempting to save a life at minimum risk to self.
Requirements: (Nominations must be submitted
on form No. 92-104.)
Nominations for concurrently registered members who meet the criteria
in the proceeding paragraph should be submitted within 6 months of the
date of action and must be accompanied by the following:
Personally prepared and signed statement by person performing
action describing the incident
Personally prepared and signed statement by the rescued
person, if any.
Personally prepared and signed statement by each witness,
describing the action as he or she recalls the details.
Include name, address, & phone of all witnesses.
Summary of the council committee of the event (page 5 of
the nomination form).
IF RECOMENDATION WILL ARRIVE AT NATIONAL COURT OF HONOR
MORE THAT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF ACTION: Letter
explaining the delay in submitting the recommendation.
Typed copy of al the above stapled to each original document.
Glossy photo of the individual who made the rescue (5" x
7" desired).
Completion and submission of the 6 page Recommendation
for Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Award (Form No.
92-104B, 1999 printing or later).
Commentary: Typically awarded in lieu of
Honor Medal when less risk was involved to the person making
the rescue. May be worn by previous recipients of the Certificate
of Heroism.
Knot Number & Description: No. 05010
- Red knot on tan background
Overview: May be awarded to a youth member
or adult leader who demonstrated unusual heroism and skill
in saving or attempting to save life at considerable risk
to self. In exceptional cases, when the person demonstrated both
unusual heroism & extraordinary skill or resourcefulness
in saving or attempting to save life at extreme risk to
self, the medal is awarded with crossed palms attached
to the ribbon
and called the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms.
Requirements: (Nominations must be submitted
on form No. 92-104.)
Nominations for concurrently registered members who meet the criteria
in the preceding paragraph should be submitted within 6 months of the
date of action and must be accompanied by the following:
Personally prepared and signed statement by person performing
action describing the incident
Personally prepared and signed statement by the rescued
person, if any.
Personally prepared and signed statement by each witness,
describing the action as he or she recalls the details.
Include name, address, & phone of all witnesses.
Summary of the council committee of the event (page 5 of
the nomination form).
IF RECOMENDATION WILL ARRIVE AT NATIONAL COURT OF HONOR
MORE THAT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF ACTION: Letter
explaining the delay in submitting the recommendation.
Typed copy of al the above stapled to each original document.
Glossy photo of the individual who made the rescue (5" x
7" desired).
Completion and submission of the 6 page Recommendation
for Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Award (Form No.
92-104B, 1999 printing or later).
Commentary: When awarded, the Crossed Palms
are worn on the ribbon only, not on the knot. The crossed palms
are available on a restricted basis for recipients only from
the Council Services Division at the national office.
Knot Number & Description: No. (see Commentary)
- Gold and blue knot, blue to the wearer's right, on tan background
with brown frame.
Overview: May be awarded to a youth member
or adult leader who has performed an action of service of a
rare and exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree
of concern for the well-being of others. The action taken need
not have involved attempts of rescue or risk to self but must
have put into practice Scouting skills and/or ideals. Action
merely in the performance of duty, or where it might reasonably
be expected due to position of responsibility or supervisory
obligation, does not merit this award.
Requirements: (Nominations must be submitted
on form No. 92-104.)
Nominations for concurrently registered members who meet the criteria
in the preceding paragraph should be submitted within 6 months of the
date of action and must be accompanied by the following:
Personally prepared and signed statement by person performing
action describing the incident
Personally prepared and signed statement by the rescued
person, if any.
Personally prepared and signed statement by each witness,
describing the action as he or she recalls the details.
Include name, address, & phone of all witnesses.
Summary of the council committee of the event (page 5 of
the nomination form).
IF RECOMENDATION WILL ARRIVE AT NATIONAL COURT OF HONOR
MORE THAT 6 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF ACTION: Letter
explaining the delay in submitting the recommendation.
Typed copy of al the above stapled to each original document.
Glossy photo of the individual who made the rescue (5" x
7" desired).
Completion and submission of the 6 page Recommendation
for Lifesaving or Meritorious Action Award (Form No.
92-104B, 1999 printing or later).
Commentary: The knot number for this award
varies, depending on the source used. It's listed both as No.
05013 and No. 05025 in the Insignia Guide and as No. O5025
in The Scoutmaster Handbook.
The National Certificate of Merit may be awarded
to a youth member or adult leader who has performed a significant
act of service that is deserving of special national recognition.
All applications should be submitted to the National Court
of Honor through the local council upon duly prescribed forms,
and it shall be within the discretion of the National Court
of Honor to determine which type of recognition shall be given.
Recipients of these awards must have been registered members
of the Boy Scouts of America at the time the action was performed.
Awards are made in the name of the Boy Scouts of America.
If the situation is deserving of merit but does
not qualify for a national award, the local council writes a
letter conveying the recommendation of the committee. The Local
Council Certificate of Merit, No. 33732, is used for this purpose.
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