Defense Distinguished Service Medal

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award of the United States in times of peace and is awarded for outstanding performance of duty of the national security of the United States Department of Defense. It was donated by President Richard Nixon on July 9, 1970.

This decoration is located in the Pyramid of Honor as the Distinguished Service Medals of the individual branches of the armed forces (Army Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal and Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal ), however, under the merit crosses ( Distinguished Service Cross of the U.S. Army, Navy Cross and Air Force Cross). One level below the Distinguished Service Medal ranked the Silver Star.

Multiple awards are possible, as in most American military orders, such as General Colin Powell, General John M. Shalikashvili, General Henry H. Shelton, General Richard B. Myers, General Peter Pace and Admiral Michael G. Mullen received this award four times. Recurring awards are marked with an oak leaf.

Introduced on February 6, 1976 Defense Superior Service Medal has a similar design, but it was designed in silver color instead of gold color.

Shaping

The medal is held in gold. Behind a bald eagle with three arrows in its talons and a sign of the United States on his chest, the Pentagon is stylized. Surrounded is the representation with a circle of 13 stars in the upper part and with laurel branches below. About the stars, there are five gold rays. On the reverse lettering For Distinguished Service and From are The Secretary of Defense To be found in block letters.