50 State Learning Resource Guide

State Symbols

The official state symbols represent the cultural heritage and natural treasures of each state or the entire United States

Montana Symbols

Montana State Medal of Valor

Montana medal of valor

Adopted in 1895.

The Montana State Medal of Valor was adopted in 1895.

To be eligible for the Montana Medal of Valor, nominees must be a resident of Montana who, at risk of death or injury, endeavored to save others from a life-threatening situation during a calendar year.

To apply, submit the name(s) of the people involved in saving another's life at the peril of their own, along with a written description of the incident. Names and phone numbers of witnesses, newspaper articles or any additional information that can be provided would be helpful.

Applications should be sent to: Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 200801, Helena, MT 59620.

Montana Legislature Archives

1-1-515. Montana medal of valor established.
(1) The governor is authorized to present, in the name of the people of Montana, a medal to be known as the Montana medal of valor, bearing a suitable inscription and ribbon, to any citizen of the state who displays extraordinary courage in a situation threatening the lives of one or more people.
(2) The governor shall award the Montana medal of valor to anyone whose behavior, in his judgment, merits such recognition. The award must be made in a public ceremony at the recipient's city or town of residence or at a city or town designated by the recipient, except under the circumstances indicated in subsection (3).
(3) If the recipient of the medal of valor dies before the medal is awarded, the governor shall present the medal to the recipient's spouse, eldest surviving child, eldest surviving sibling, or either parent or to a person designated by one of these. If the medal is presented to a person who is not a resident of Montana, the award ceremony must be held at the state capitol
in Helena.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 537, L. 1985.

State Symbols

State symbols represent things that are special to a particular state.

symbol \ˈsim-bəl\
noun

Etymology:
in sense 1, from Late Latin symbolum, from Late Greek symbolon, from Greek, token, sign; in other senses from Latin symbolum token, sign, symbol, from Greek symbolon, literally, token of identity verified by comparing its other half, from symballein to throw together, compare, from syn- + ballein to throw — more at devil
Date: 15th century

1: Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible.

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