PART 350—SEAMEN'S SERVICE AWARDS Authority: 46 U.S.C. chapter 519; 49 U.S.C. 322(a); 49 CFR 1.93. Source: 60 FR 49804, Sept. 27, 1995, unless otherwise noted. § 350.1 Purpose. The purpose of this part is to prescribe regulations to implement 46 U.S.C. chapter 519 to authorize the issue of decorations, medals, and other recognition for service in the U.S. merchant marine, and for other purposes, and to provide for the replacement of awards previously issued for service in the U.S. merchant marine under prior law. [91 FR 1708, Jan. 15, 2026] § 350.2 Special medals and awards. The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Maritime Administrator, may award decorations and medals of appropriate design for individual acts or service in the U.S. Merchant Marine. (a) Medals, awards. (b) Nominations. (c) Inquiries. [60 FR 49804, Sept. 27, 1995, as amended at 91 FR 1708, Jan. 15, 2026] § 350.3 Other original recognition of service. Under the provision of Pub. L. 100-324, the Administrator has the authority to review original applications for the following decorations: (a) World War II Service. Merchant Marine Emblem, (2) Victory Medal, (3) Honorable Service Button, (4) Mariner's Medal, (5) Merchant Marine Combat Bar, (6) Merchant Marine Defense Bar and Medal, (7) Atlantic War Zone Bar and Medal, (8) Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Bar and Medal, (9) Pacific War Zone Bar and Medal, (10) Presidential Testimonial Letter, (11) Philippine Defense Ribbon, (12) Philippine Liberation Ribbon, (b) Korean Conflict Service. (c) Service in the Vietnam Conflict. (d) Operations DESERT SHIELD AND DESERT STORM. [60 FR 49804, Sept. 27, 1995, as amended at 91 FR 1708, Jan. 15, 2026] § 350.4 Eligibility for awards. (a) World War II awards. (1) A copy of seaman's DD Form 214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty” with continuation sheet, if provided. The DD Form 214 is required to verify merchant marine service on vessels during World War II. The application and instructions for applying for this document may be obtained from the Maritime Administration, Office of Maritime Labor, Training and Safety. If a seaman was not eligible for this discharge, the Maritime Administration will accept official documents, including ships' discharges; (2) A summary of World War II sailing history to include—theater(s) of operation and ports of discharge; and (3) Book number or United States Maritime Service (USMS) number and World War II home address. (b) Korean and Vietnam Awards. (c) Inquiries. [60 FR 49804, Sept. 27, 1995, as amended at 91 FR 1709, Jan. 15, 2026] § 350.5 Replacement decorations. Decorations that have been previously issued may be replaced at cost upon written request made to Maritime Administrator, Attention: Seamen's Service Awards, Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. [91 FR 1709, Jan. 15, 2026] § 350.6 Unauthorized sale, manufacture, possession or display. The sale, manufacture, possession or display of any Merchant Marine decoration, or colorable imitations thereof, by anyone other than an authorized vendor is prohibited by law and subject to fine and imprisonment. § 350.7 Special certificate of recognition. The Maritime Administration is authorized to issue a special certificate of recognition of service to an individual, or the personal representative of an individual, whose service in the U.S. Merchant Marine has been determined to be active duty under an earlier Act of Congress (Pub. L. 95-202). The issuance of this certificate to any individual does not entitle that individual to any rights, privileges or benefits under any law of the United States.