Defense Distinguished Service Medal

Last updated
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Distinguished Service Medal.png
Type Distinguished service medal
Awarded forExceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility
Presented by United States Department of Defense [1]
Eligibility United States Armed Forces service members
Clasps Oak leaf cluster for subsequent awards
StatusCurrently awarded
EstablishedJuly 9, 1970
First awardedGeneral Earle Wheeler (1970)
Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg
Precedence
Next (higher)Army: Distinguished Service Cross
Naval Service: Navy Cross
Air and Space Forces: Air Force Cross
Coast Guard: Coast Guard Cross
EquivalentDepartment of Homeland Security: Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
Next (lower)Army: Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
Naval Service: Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air and Space Forces: Distinguished Service Medal (Air and Space Forces)
Coast Guard: Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to the national security or defense of the United States. The medal was created on July 9, 1970, by President Richard Nixon in Executive Order 11545. [2] President Nixon awarded the first medal, on the day the Executive Order was signed, to General Earle Wheeler, who was retiring from the US Army after serving as Chief of Staff of the United States Army and then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Contents

It is equivalent to the United States Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal.

Criteria

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is the United States Department of Defense's highest non-combat related military award and it is the highest joint service decoration. The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is awarded only while assigned to a joint activity. Normally, such responsibilities deserving of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal are held by the most senior officers such as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chiefs and vice chiefs of the military services, and commanders and deputy commanders of the Combatant Commands, the Director of the Joint Staff, and others whose duties bring them frequently into direct contact with the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and other senior government officials. In addition, the medal may also be awarded to other service members whose direct and individual contributions to national security or national defense are recognized as being so exceptional in scope and value as to be equivalent to contributions normally associated with positions encompassing broader responsibilities. [3]

This decoration takes precedence over the Distinguished Service Medals of the services and is not to be awarded to any individual for a period of service for which an Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal is awarded.

Appearance

The medal is gold in color and on the obverse it features a medium blue enameled pentagon (point up). Superimposed on this is an American bald eagle with wings outspread facing left grasping three crossed arrows in its talons and on its breast is a shield of the United States. The pentagon and eagle are enclosed within a gold pieced circle consisting, in the upper half of 13 five-pointed stars and in the lower half, a wreath of laurel on the left and olive on the right. At the top is a suspender of five graduated gold rays. The reverse of the medal has the inscription "For Distinguished Service" at the top in raised letters, and within the pentagon the inscription "FROM THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO", all in raised letters.

Additional awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters.

Notable recipients

- John Zirkelbach (two awards)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)</span> United States Army distinguished service medal

The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a military decoration of the United States Army that is presented to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility. The performance must be such as to merit recognition for service that is clearly exceptional. The exceptional performance of normal duty will not alone justify an award of this decoration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver Star</span> United States military medal for gallantry in action

The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Secretary of Defense</span> Leader of the United States armed forces following the president

The United States secretary of defense (SecDef) is the head of the United States Department of Defense, the executive department of the U.S. Armed Forces, and is a high-ranking member of the federal cabinet. The secretary of defense's position of command and authority over the military is second only to that of the president of the United States, who is the commander-in-chief. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a defense minister in many other countries. The secretary of defense is appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate, and is by custom a member of the Cabinet and by law a member of the National Security Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Boorda</span> American admiral (1939–1996)

Jeremy Michael Boorda was a United States Navy admiral who served as the 25th Chief of Naval Operations. Boorda is notable as the first person to have risen from the enlisted ranks to become Chief of Naval Operations, the highest-ranking billet in the United States Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defense Superior Service Medal</span> United States Defense Department superior service medal

The Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members who perform superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Hackworth</span> United States Army colonel and military journalist (1930–2005)

Colonel David Haskell Hackworth was a United States Army officer and journalist, who was decorated in both the Korean War and Vietnam War. Hackworth is known for his role in the formation and command of Tiger Force, a military unit from the 101st Airborne Division that used guerrilla warfare tactics against Viet Cong in South Vietnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)</span> Military award of the US Armed Forces

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. The medal was established on July 2, 1926, and is currently awarded to any persons who, after April 6, 1917, distinguish themselves by single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Both heroism and extraordinary achievement are entirely distinctive, involving operations that are not routine. The medal may be awarded to friendly foreign military members in ranks equivalent to U.S. Pay Grade of O-6 and below, in actual combat in support operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navy Cross</span> U.S. Naval Service medal for valor

The Navy Cross is the United States Naval Service's second-highest military decoration awarded for Sailors and Marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is equivalent to the Army's Distinguished Service Cross, the Air and Space Forces' Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Service Cross (United States)</span> US Armys second highest medal

The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the United States Army's second highest military decoration for soldiers who display extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations, but which do not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Army Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Naval Services' Navy Cross, the Air and Space Forces' Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross. Prior to the creation of the Air Force Cross in 1960, airmen were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Cross (United States)</span> United States Air and Space Forces service cross medal

The Air Force Cross (AFC) is the United States Air Force and United States Space Force's second highest military decoration for airmen and guardians who distinguish themselves with extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is awarded to any person, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force or Space Force, who distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism, not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navy Distinguished Service Medal</span> United States Naval Services distinguished service medal

The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919 and is presented to sailors and marines to recognize distinguished and exceptionally meritorious service to the United States while serving in a duty or position of great responsibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Air and Space Forces)</span> United States Air and Space Forces distinguished service medal

The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a military decoration of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force and is presented to airmen and guardians to recognize distinguished and exceptionally meritorious service to the United States while serving in a duty or position of great responsibility. The Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960 and was first awarded in 1965. Prior to the creation of the Distinguished Service Medal in 1960, United States Air Force airmen were awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal.

A "V" device is a metal 14-inch (6.4 mm) capital letter "V" with serifs which, when worn on certain decorations awarded by the United States Armed Forces, distinguishes an award for heroism or valor in combat instead of for meritorious service or achievement.

Awards and decorations of the United States Department of the Air Force are military decorations which are issued by the Department of the Air Force to airmen of the United States Air Force and guardians of the United States Space Force and members of other military branches serving under Air Force and Space Force commands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John A. Wickham Jr.</span> United States Army general

John Adams Wickham Jr. is a retired United States Army general who served as the United States Army Chief of Staff from 1983 to 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John H. Tilelli Jr.</span> United States Army general

John Harold Tilelli Jr. is a retired United States Army four-star general who served as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1994 to 1995; Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command from 1995 to 1996; and Commander in Chief, United Nations Command/Commander in Chief, ROK/United States Combined Forces Command/Commander, United States Forces Korea from 1996 to 1999. He retired from the United States Army on January 31, 2000, and later worked for the USO and The Aerospace Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of Defense Medal for Valor</span> Award

The Office of the Secretary of the Defense Medal for Valor is the highest civilian award for valor presented by the United States Department of Defense. Created in 2001 in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the medal recognizes government employees and private citizens who perform an act of heroism or sacrifice, with voluntary risk to their personal safety in the face of danger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Warfare Medal</span> Planned United States military decoration

The Distinguished Warfare Medal was a planned United States military decoration announced by former U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta on 13 February 2013. It would have been the first U.S. combat-related award to be created since the Bronze Star Medal in 1944. The blue, red and white-ribboned medal was to be awarded to individuals for "extraordinary achievement" related to a military operation occurring after 11 September 2001. It was intended to recognize military achievement in cyberwarfare or combat drone operations for actions that did not include valor in combat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medal of Honor</span> Highest award in the United States Armed Forces

The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. The medal is normally awarded by the President of the United States and is presented "in the name of the United States Congress."

References

  1. "Issuances" (PDF). www.esd.whs.mil. 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-12. Retrieved 2018-09-29.
  2. Air Force Personnel Center Defense Distinguished Service Medal Archived 2011-06-16 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Defense Distinguished Service Medal". Decorations and Awards: U.S. Armed Forces and Department of Defense Decorations. The Institute of Heraldry. Archived from the original on 2013-05-18. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  4. "Jeremy Boorda - Recipient - Military Times Hall Of Valor". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  5. "General Anthony C. Zinni, USMC". Marine Corps Museum. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  6. "Lt. Gen. Flynn retires from DIA, 33-year Army career". Archived from the original on 2017-02-26. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
  7. UPI (15 August 1986). "Computer Whiz Retires from Navy". Detroit Free Press . p. 4A. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  8. "Daniel James , Jr., Awards and Citations". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  9. "2000 ADM Larson". Nimitz.berkeley.edu. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  10. "General Carl E. Mundy, Jr. - Retired, 30th Commandant of the Marine Corps". Senior Leader Services Portal, USMC. Archived from the original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  11. "Carl Trost is set for March 2". Naany.org. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  12. "Defense Distinguished Service Medal Criteria, History and Recipients". Usafeenlistedheritage.org. 1970-07-09. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-09-26.