Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Encyclopedia
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense
. The medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces who, while serving in a joint activity, distinguish themselves by non-combat outstanding achievement or meritorious service, but not of a degree to warrant award of the Defense Superior Service Medal
.
The medal was first created on November 3, 1977 by President Jimmy Carter
under . It was first awarded to Major
Terrell G. Covington, United States Army
.
Additional awards of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters. The medal is not the same as the Meritorious Service Medal
, which is a separate federal military decoration. Both have virtually identical award criteria, but the DMSM is awarded to servicemembers assigned to joint, multi-service organizations, while the MSM is awarded to servicemembers in traditional military units within their respective individual services.
Medal Description=
A Bronze medal 1 1/2 inches (3.81 cm) in diameter overall consisting of a circular wreath of laurel tied with a ribbon at base and at center a pentagon shape slightly overlapping the wreath; overall an eagle with wings upraised standing at the base of the pentagon.
Ribbon Description=
A ribbon 1 3/8 inches (8.57 cm) in width composed of the following vertical stripes: White 1/16 inch (.16 cm), Crimson 1/4 inch (.64 cm), White 7/32 inch (.56 cm), Bluebird 1/16 inch (.16 cm), White 1/16 inch (.16 cm), Bluebird 1/16 inch (.16 cm), White 1/16 inch (.16 cm), Bluebird 1/16 inch (.16 cm), White 7/32 inch (.56 cm), Crimson 1/4 inch (.64 cm), White 1/16 inch (.16 cm).
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
. The medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces who, while serving in a joint activity, distinguish themselves by non-combat outstanding achievement or meritorious service, but not of a degree to warrant award of the Defense Superior Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
.
The medal was first created on November 3, 1977 by President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
under . It was first awarded to Major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
Terrell G. Covington, United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
Additional awards of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters. The medal is not the same as the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
, which is a separate federal military decoration. Both have virtually identical award criteria, but the DMSM is awarded to servicemembers assigned to joint, multi-service organizations, while the MSM is awarded to servicemembers in traditional military units within their respective individual services.
Medal Description=
A Bronze medal 1 1/2 inches (3.81 cm) in diameter overall consisting of a circular wreath of laurel tied with a ribbon at base and at center a pentagon shape slightly overlapping the wreath; overall an eagle with wings upraised standing at the base of the pentagon.
Symbolism
The eagle is symbolic of the United States; the pentagon shape alludes to the Department of Defense, and the laurel wreath represents achievement.Ribbon Description=
A ribbon 1 3/8 inches (8.57 cm) in width composed of the following vertical stripes: White 1/16 inch (.16 cm), Crimson 1/4 inch (.64 cm), White 7/32 inch (.56 cm), Bluebird 1/16 inch (.16 cm), White 1/16 inch (.16 cm), Bluebird 1/16 inch (.16 cm), White 1/16 inch (.16 cm), Bluebird 1/16 inch (.16 cm), White 7/32 inch (.56 cm), Crimson 1/4 inch (.64 cm), White 1/16 inch (.16 cm).
Symbolism
The colors, crimson and white, are duplicates of the colors of the Legion of Merit ribbon. The stripes of blue (Bluebird) is the color associated with the Department of Defense.See also
- Awards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States militaryAwards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...