Defense Distinguished Service Medal
In July of 1970, Richard Nixon’s executive order created one of the newest of the major personal accomplishment awards, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. These US military medals are issued through the Defense Department and are awarded for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States to all five branches of service. It is the highest of our peacetime medals of America, and normally is only presented to very senior officers involved with joint branch activities. These military ribbons and medals may also be awarded to less senior officers whose individual contributions to national security or defense are recognized as being equivalent to contributions normally associated with more senior positions encompassing broader responsibilities.
The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chiefs and Vice Chiefs of the Services, and Commanders or Deputy Commanders of the Unified Commands who work directly with the Secretary of Defense are the officers who normally receive these military medals for exceptional service.
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is worn below the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy’s Navy Cross, and the Air Force’s Air Force Cross; and above the Silver Star in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military awards. The Defense Distinguished Service Medal takes precedence over the Distinguished Service Medals of each separate service and is not awarded for the same period of service for which Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medals might be awarded. Oak Leaf Clusters are used to denote all subsequent awards of these military medals.
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is generally available as full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons and lapel pins. These military decorations are available as traditional full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; or in the newer, custom thin mini-medals and ultra thin military ribbons which are being embraced by members of the modern military who value their sleeker appearance as a competitive edge that promotes their advancement through the ranks of their respective services.
