National Court of Honor
Lifesaving and Meritorious Awards
National awards for lifesaving and meritorious acts are made only for outstanding and unusual acts that demonstrate unusual heroism, skill or bravery and reflect Scouting ideals, based on the following criteria:

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  • Honor Medal with Crossed Palms. Has demonstrated both unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save a life at extreme risk to self.
  • Honor Medal. Has demonstrated unusual heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life at considerable risk to self.
  • Herosim Award. Has demonstrated heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life at minimum or no risk to self. (Heroism defined as: exhibiting courage and daring, self-sacrifice.)
  • Medal of Merit. Has performed some outstanding act of service of an exceptional character putting into practice learned skills and/or demonstrating Scouting ideals. Such action need not necessarily be a rescue or involve risk to self.

None of the above awards will be considered for what would be normally expected acts of behavior. The ordinary use of first aid or other skills that would be normally expected of a person who has had training in those skills would not qualify a person for recognition. However, the people use of such skills under extraordinary circumstances could meet the criteria for recognition.

  • Local Council Certificate of Merit. The situation does not meet the criteria for a National Court of Honor award but the act is deserving of recognition. The case is not extraordinary, did not call for unusual skill and was not exceptional in nature but was of outstanding service and did reflect the high ideals of Scouting.
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