The governor is hereby authorized, upon recommendation of the adjutant general of Missouri, to present, in the name of the state of Missouri, a Missouri Kosovo campaign ribbon, which shall be of suitable design, as may be determined by the governor, to members of the Missouri National Guard who, after March 24, 1999, participated in or served in direct support of Kosovo Operations: Allied Force; Joint Guardian; Allied Harbour; Sustain Hope/Shining Hope; Noble Anvil; or Kosovo Task Forces: Hawk; Saber; or Hunter within the Kosovo air campaign or Kosovo defense campaign areas of eligibility described as follows:
The period of eligibility is after March 24, 1999, to a future date to be determined by the adjutant general of Missouri or the cessation of the Kosovo defense campaign. Not more than one Missouri Kosovo campaign ribbon shall be awarded or presented under the provisions of this section to any one person, nor shall such ribbon be awarded to or retained by any person whose entire service subsequent to their Kosovo campaign service shall not have been honorable. In the event of the death of any person during or subsequent to their Kosovo service who, in the opinion of the governor, as recommended by the adjutant general of Missouri, would be entitled to the Missouri Kosovo campaign ribbon, the same may be presented to the surviving primary next of kin.
§ 41.586, RSMo