On September 23, 1996, Congress authorized (P.L. 104-201, 110 Stat. 2654) anyone who would have qualified for the medal other than the requirement for membership in the Armed Forces to receive the award (i.e. civilians who were not killed or injured but can show that they were present in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, and participated in combat operations against the attack). In both instances, there was a 12-month certification window, therefore, the award is no longer issued. In both instances the next-of-kin of deceased persons eligible for the award were authorized to apply (using DD 2567 form) for the medal (one medal per eligible person).