Air Force approves Humanitarian Medals for 2013 tornado relief Published March 5, 2015 Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Airmen who aided relief efforts after the catastrophic 2013 Moore tornado are now eligible for the Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced recently. The May 20, 2013, tornado devastated a swath of Moore, leaving 25 people dead, including seven students at Plaza Towers Elementary School. More than 600 Airmen from Tinker, Altus and Vance AFBs volunteered to assist residents in recovery, the Tinker Take Off reported. The medal is authorized for service members assigned to Tinker's 72nd Air Base Wing and associate active duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard units that provided humanitarian and disaster relief assistance from May 20 to June 2, 2013. Officials at the 72nd Force Support Squadron's Awards and Decorations Office said Airmen should already know if they will receive the medal. They advised Airmen to contact their squadrons' awards and decorations point of contact or their commander's support staff if they have questions. Airman can also call the Awards and Decorations Office, 739-5955, or visit them at Bldg. 460, Room 208, for more information. Air Force Materiel Command will provide affected military personnel sections with guidance on application and presentation, and personnel sections will update eligible members' records. Eligible Airmen who are no longer assigned to the 72nd ABW or one of the eligible associate units should contact their local military personnel section for assistance. Established in January 1975, the Humanitarian Service Medal is presented to honor members of the armed forces who distinguished themselves by meritorious direct participation in a significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature or have rendered a service to mankind.