Department of Defense Distinguished Service

Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal and Ribbon

History - Established 1970

Established on July 9, 1970, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal honors U.S. Armed Forces personnel who carry out exceptional service to the end of national security. It is the most prestigious award bestowed for non-combat service and for joint service and is usually reserved for senior personnel; the Defense Distinguished Service Medal holds greater precedence than the separate services’ respective Distinguished Service Medals.

Details

The medal is gold and features an eagle bearing a shield on its chest and grasping three arrow; it is superimposed upon a light blue pentagon shape and encircled by stars above and a wreath of laurels below. The reverse reads “FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE” and “FROM THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO [NAME OF RECIPIENT].” The ribbon is bisected by a thin vertical red stripe that is flanked by a thicker stripe of yellow and light blue proceeding outward on either side.

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Silver Oak Leaf Cluster