SECTION 67. Decorations and awards; qualifications

(a) Each member, who completes 3 years of honorable service in the armed forces of the commonwealth, except the inactive national guard, shall be awarded a service medal and for each additional 3 years of like service a clasp to be affixed to the ribbon pendant thereof. All other members of the organized militia may be awarded a service medal for completion of 3 years of honorable service and for each additional 3 years of like service a device to be affixed to the ribbon pendant thereof. Members of the armed forces of the commonwealth, active, retired or honorably discharged, who have served in the armed forces of the United States in time of war and have been honorably discharged shall receive a device indicative of such service, to be affixed to the ribbon pendant of the medal herein provided.

(b) The adjutant general and 2 field grade officers of the armed forces of the commonwealth, detailed by the commander-in-chief, shall act as a medal of valor commission and may receive recommendations, through military channels, for the award of the medal of valor to members of the organized militia of the commonwealth, who, by reason of conspicuous gallantry at the risk of their own life, above and beyond the call of duty, while on military service, are recommended for the award of said medal of valor.

(c) A general officer and 2 field grade officers of the armed forces of the commonwealth, detailed by the commander-in-chief, shall constitute a commission to receive recommendations, through military channels, for the award of the Massachusetts military medal to a member of the organized militia of the commonwealth who, while on military service, performed a singularly meritorious act of heroism which distinguished that service member above peers but to a lesser degree than that required for awarding of the medal of valor.

(d) A general officer and 2 field grade officers of the armed forces of the commonwealth, detailed by the commander-in-chief, shall act as a Massachusetts medal of merit commission, and may receive recommendations, through military channels, for the award of the medal of merit to members of the organized militia of the commonwealth, the United States, any other state or territory of the United States or any other country who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in performing outstanding services while members of the organized militia of the commonwealth, the United States, any other state or territory of the United States or any other country.

(e) A general officer may receive recommendations, through military channels, for the award of the Massachusetts commendation medal to members of the organized militia of the commonwealth, the United States, any other state or territory of the United States or any other country who have distinguished themselves by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service while members of the organized militia of the commonwealth, the United States, any other state or territory of the United States or any other country.

(f) A general officer may receive recommendations, through military channels, for the award of the Massachusetts achievement medal to members of the organized militia of the commonwealth, the United States, any other state or territory of the United States, or any other country who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement to a lesser degree than required for award of the commendation medal while members of the organized militia of the commonwealth, the United States, any other state or territory of the United States, or any other country.

(g) Commissions constituted under subsections (b), (c) and (d) shall, after careful investigation, report their findings and recommendations to the commander-in-chief, who, if the award appears justified, shall confer upon the member the medal recommended.

Not more than 1 medal of valor, Massachusetts military medal, medal of merit, commendation medal or achievement medal shall be awarded to any person; provided, however, that a suitable device shall be awarded, under the same conditions.

The design of the medals referred to in this section shall be approved by the art commission for the commonwealth.

The Massachusetts medal of valor, military medal, medal of merit, commendation medal and achievement medal may be awarded posthumously.