On February 6, 1976 President Ford issued an Executive Order creating the Defense Superior Service Medal. These military decorations are presented by the Department of Defense as a senior award to members of the U.S. military for superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility. These military medals are generally awarded to flag and general officer grades in the name of the Secretary of Defense.
The Defense Superior Service Medal is worn just below the Silver Star and just above the Legion of Merit in the order of precedence for military ribbons and medals. These military awards use the same design as the Defense Distinguished Service Medals, but are finished in silver instead of gold.
The Defense Superior Service Medal can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. Like most military medals, it is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, slide-on military ribbons, and the sleek, new thin military medals, mini-medals and ribbons.