Texas Cavalry Service Medal - State Decoration

State Decoration

State Bill 955, an amendment to Texas Government Code § 431.134, was passed by the Texas Legislature and signed by Governor Perry on June 17, 2005 and was effective on September 1, 2005. This medal is a State award, unlike the original medal, which was a Federal award. The Texas Cavalry Medal is awarded to personnel who served on or after September 11, 2001, in the 124th Cavalry, Texas Army National Guard and who served in a hostile fire zone as designated by the United States Secretary of Defense. . As passed, the medal is considered a separate award from the original Texas Cavalry Service Medal. This medal is a one time award and there is no provision for subsequent awards. The first 182 cavalry troopers eligible for the award completed their tour of duty in Iraq on February 11, 2005. Carrying the same unit heraldry as the 1st Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, members of the Texas National Guard's Brigade Reconnaissance Troops mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom III were also eligible for this award.

Order of precedence for this new award has it falling between the Texas Combat Service Ribbon and the Texas Faithful Service Medal.

State Bill 955 also introduced the Texas Combat Service Ribbon and the Texas Purple Heart Medal.