Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal

Last updated
Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal
USPHS Distinguished Service Medal.png Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal reverse.PNG
Obverse (left) and reverse of the medal
TypeHonor award (medal and ribbon)
Awarded forExceedingly high levels of achievement.
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Presented bythe
United States Public Health Service
EligibilityMembers of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and members of any other Uniformed Service of the United States
StatusCurrently awarded
Establishedc.1900 [1]
U.S. - Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.png
Ribbon of PHS Distinguished Service Medal
Valor device.svg
U.S. - Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.png

Ribbon of medal awarded for valor
Precedence
Next (higher) Defense Distinguished Service Medal [2]
Next (lower) Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
Related Distinguished Service Medal [2]

The Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal is an honor award presented to members of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and to members of any Uniformed Services of the United States whose accomplishments or achievements are of outstanding or unique significance to the missions of the Corps. This is the highest award presented by the United States Public Health Service. It is the highest decoration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. [3]

Contents

Criteria

The PHS Distinguished Service Medal is awarded in recognition on an exceedingly high level of achievement by an officer who possesses a genuine sense of public service and who has made exceptional contributions to the mission of the Corps. Such achievement must result in a major impact on Global and/or National health. The award can also be conferred for an act of heroism resulting in the saving of life or the protection of health. [4]

The PHS Distinguished Service Medal may also be awarded "With Valor", signified by a bronze "V" for recognizing acts of courage and bravery. The designation “With Valor” is not to be used to recognize hazardous assignments or exposure to dangerous and life-threatening environments. The officer must exhibit a positive and particular act, or actions, of bravery and courage, and/or heroism, resulting in the saving or preserving of the life or health of others. The degrees of risk to personal safety, the level of bravery, and the demonstration of courage, are determining factors that must be clearly displayed.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronze Star Medal</span> United States Armed Forces decoration award

The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.

The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth version existing for acts of joint military service performed under the Department of Defense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soldier's Medal</span> United States Army heroism award

The Soldier's Medal is an individual decoration of the United States Army. It was introduced as Section 11 of the Air Corps Act, passed by the Congress of the United States on July 2, 1926. The Soldier's Medal is equivalent to the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the Air and Space Forces' Airman's Medal, and the Coast Guard Medal. Prior to the creation of the Airman's Medal in 1960, airmen were awarded the Soldier's Medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Certificate of Merit Medal</span> Award

The Certificate of Merit Medal was a military decoration of the United States Army that was issued between the years of 1905 and 1918. The Certificate of Merit Medal replaced the much older Certificate of Merit which was authorized by the United States Congress on March 3, 1847.

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 a decoration awarded for combat valor or heroism from the same decoration being awarded for a member's actions under circumstances other than combat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Health Service Achievement Medal</span> Award

The Public Health Achievement Medal is a decoration of the United States Public Health Service presented to members of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Officer Corps and to members of any Uniformed Services of the United States whose accomplishments or achievements are of outstanding or unique significance to the missions of the Corps. It is the ninth-highest award awarded by the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States law enforcement decorations</span>

United States law enforcement decorations are awarded by the police forces of the United States of America. Since the United States has a decentralized police force, with separate independent departments existing on the state and local level, there are thousands of law enforcement decorations in existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orders, decorations, and medals of the Philippines</span> Philippine honors system

The orders and decorations conferred upon civilians and military personnel in the Republic of the Philippines are listed by orders of precedence. Philippine civilian orders and decorations are conferred by the President of the Philippines in his or her capacity as head of state. In certain instances, the conferment of certain orders and decorations requires the concurrence of the Congress of the Philippines, or of certain advisory bodies.

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.

Awards and decorations of the United States government are civilian awards of the U.S. federal government which are typically issued for sustained meritorious service, in a civilian capacity, while serving in the U.S. federal government. Certain U.S. government awards may also be issued to military personnel of the United States Armed Forces and be worn in conjunction with awards and decorations of the United States military. In order of precedence, those U.S. non-military awards and decorations authorized for wear are worn after U.S. military personal decorations and unit awards and before U.S. military campaign and service awards.

The United States Department of the Army offers a variety of awards, decorations and incentive programs to honor and recognize the contribution and efforts of its civilian workforce. Department of the Army civilian awards are governed by Army Regulation 672–20 Decorations, Awards, and Honors Incentive Awards.

The United States Department of State, like other agencies of the U.S. federal government, gives civilian decorations for outstanding service, sacrifice, or heroism. The criteria for the awards are set down in 3 FAM 4820 - Foreign Affairs Manual, 3 FAM - Personnel, section 3 FAM 4800 Department Awards Program.

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

The Secretary of the Army Award for Valor was an award that acknowledged acts of heroism or bravery connected with a United States Army soldier or Army activity, or that in some way benefits the Army. The equivalent military decoration for this award is the Soldier's Medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coast Guard Public Service Awards</span> Military award of the United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard maintains several civilian Public Service Awards to recognize private citizens, groups, or organizations for helping the Coast Guard carry out its missions. These awards are U.S. Government Awards issued by the Coast Guard, and like the Gold and Silver Lifesaving Medals, are not classified as military decorations, therefore, they may be awarded to any person.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal</span> Award

The Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal is an honor award presented to members of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Officer Corps and to members of any Uniformed Services of the United States whose accomplishments or achievements are of outstanding or unique significance to the missions of the Corps. It is the second highest award presented by the United States Public Health Service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Health Service Outstanding Service Medal</span> Award

The Public Health Service Outstanding Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Public Health Service presented to members of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Officer Corps and to members of any Uniformed Services of the United States whose accomplishments or achievements are of outstanding or unique significance to the missions of the Corps. It is the seventh-highest award awarded by the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Health Service Commendation Medal</span> Award

The Public Health Service Commendation Medal is a decoration of the United States Public Health Service presented to members of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Officer Corps and to members of any Uniformed Services of the United States who has exhibited a level of proficiency and dedication distinctly greater than that expected of an officer. It is the eight-highest award awarded by the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Health Service Citation Medal</span> Award

The Public Health Service Citation Medal is a decoration of the United States Public Health Service presented to members of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Officer Corps and to members of any Uniformed Services of the United States whose accomplishments or achievements are of outstanding or unique significance to the missions of the Corps. It is the tenth-highest award awarded by the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public Health Service Ebola Campaign Medal</span> Decoration of the U.S. Public Health Service

The Public Health Service Ebola Campaign Medal is a decoration of the United States Public Health Service presented to members of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. It recognizes service in responding to an outbreak of the Ebola virus.

The Public Health Service Global Health Initiative Service Medal, also written Global Health Initiatives Service Medal, is a decoration of the United States Public Health Service presented to members of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. It recognizes service in support of Global Health Initiatives.

References

  1. "Public Health Service Distinguished Service". Naval History and Heritage Command . Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  2. 1 2 "Wear of Awards and Badges" (PDF). Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  3. "Service Medals" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 16, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  4. "Commissioned Officers' Awards Program" (PDF). Commissioned Officer Corps of the US Public Health Service. Retrieved 28 July 2020.