The active or "new" Memorial Plaque on the east side of the main entrance to the Department of State was dedicated in 1972. It bears the following inscription:

"Erected by the American Foreign Service Association in honor of those Americans who have lost their lives under heroic or other inspirational circumstances while serving the Government abroad in foreign affairs."

Policy

To include on the Plaque the names of those who have lost their lives under heroic or other inspirational circumstances distinctive to the Foreign Service. Death by accident or natural causes overseas, unless accompanied by heroic or inspirational circumstances, is not grounds for inclusion.

Eligibility

Eligibility for inclusion on the AFSA Memorial Plaque is limited to members of the Foreign Service and to U.S. citizen direct-hire employees of the five Foreign Affairs agencies serving the government abroad. In exceptional and compelling circumstances, the AFSA Governing Board may consider including other U.S. citizen direct-hire government employees serving abroad under Chief of Mission authority.

Additional Guidelines For Awards & Plaque Committee
On Expanded Criteria "In the Line of Duty"

These guidelines are provided to help the Committee make judgments as to whether a death falls within the new criterion of "in the line of duty", recently established by the Governing Board, to be applied retroactively for Foreign Service personnel. The previous criteria of "heroic or inspirational" circumstances will continue to apply to all Americans serving under the Chief of Mission overseas.

• This criterion, like the earlier criteria, is meant to apply only to death outside the United States.
• Includes travel enroute to or from post
• May include death in the United States by disease or other cause that is the direct result of overseas duty (e.g. disease contracted overseas ).
• It includes any death that occurs in the active performance of official duties.
• It may include any death due to hazards distinctive to service overseas whether in the active performance of official duties or not. For instance:
• Disease related to particular circumstances of overseas assignment:
• If the danger of contracting such a disease is more than in the US;
• If death is related to the status of medical facilities.
• Crime related to particular circumstances of overseas assignment.
• Natural disasters related to particular circumstances of overseas assignment.
• The committee should consider excluding death due to negligent, reckless or selfish behavior, or death while in violation of law, on the grounds that the individual may have had an important degree of control over the situation.