The Department of Transportation (DOT) 9/11 Medal was authorized by Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta on February 11, 2003. It was established to recognize meritorious service displayed in unusual and outstanding achievements of employees of the Department of Transportation and private citizens.
Guidance for awarding the DOT 9/11 Medal is found in the Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual (the Coast Guard was under the control of the Department of Transportation when the medal was established). Specially, employees of the Transportation Department who were on the scene at any of the crash sites (New York, Pennsylvania, or Washington D.C.) and took part in the initial rescue and recovery operations are eligible for the award, as are all personnel who had a direct role evacuation of lower Manhattan (this includes DOT employees, crews and masters of commercial vessels or recreational boats that transported evacuees on September 11, 2001).
Also honored with the medal are personnel who demonstrated extraordinary leadership or participation in patrolling harbors, escorting vessels, helping secure infrastructure facilities, and boarding vessels entering waters under U.S. jurisdiction in the period between September 11, 2001 and September 11, 2002. The award is also given to DOT employees who displayed extraordinary dedication or leadership during that same time frame.
The Department of Transportation also issued a 9/11 Ribbon (a lapel pin was established for civilians) to recognize the efforts of DOT workers, Merchant Marines, or other civilians that contributed to recovery efforts following the September 11 attacks. Note that anyone being considered for the medal rather than the pin must have displayed extraordinary effort, dedication, and leadership skills to earn it rather than the ribbon.
Award of the DOT 9/11 Medal may be made posthumously, with the decoration and accompanying certificate presented to the next of kin.