Distinguished Service Medal | |
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![]() ![]() Obverse of medal and ribbon | |
Type | Medal |
Awarded for | Distinguished leadership in warlike operations. |
Presented by | Australia |
Eligibility | Members of the Australian Defence Force |
Post-nominals | DSM |
Status | Currently awarded |
Established | 15 January 1991 |
First awarded | 1993 |
Last awarded | 2024 Australia Day Honours |
Total | 220 [1] |
Total awarded posthumously | 1 |
Total recipients | 208 |
Order of Wear | |
Next (higher) | Bravery Medal |
Next (lower) | Public Service Medal |
Related | Distinguished Service Cross Commendation for Distinguished Service |
The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in warlike operations. The DSM was introduced in 1991 and is the second highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System. Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DSM". Since its inception 152 awards have been made—which includes six Bars—with the most recent being announced in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours.
The Government of Australia may grant an allowance to veterans or serving members of the Australian Defence Force who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, or other awards for gallantry. At November 2007, this allowance was A$2.10 per fortnight. [2]
The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 to other ranks, of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy".
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The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force. It is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in warlike operations. The DSC was introduced in 1991 and is the highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System. Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DSC". Since its inception 115 awards have been made—which includes eight first bars and one second bar.
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