Surgeon General's Medal
Encyclopedia
The Surgeon General’s Medallion is the third highest award of the Public Health Service and the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. The medal is awarded in the name of the United States Surgeon General for actions of exceptional achievement to the cause of public health and medicine. It is awarded by the Surgeon General of the United States.
The exact award criteria for the Surgeon General’s Medal are open to the interpretation of the sitting U.S. Surgeon general. Typically, the Surgeon General’s Medal is presented for such actions as medical breakthroughs in public medicine, disease prevention and control, or exceptional service in a senior position of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Due to the prestige of the Surgeon General’s Medallion, the award is authorized for wear on active duty uniforms of the United States armed forces
. When worn on the uniform of a member of the Public Health Service, the ribbon is worn after the Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal
and before the Department of Commerce Silver Medal, the Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal
and the Legion of Merit
. People who have won the award include RADM Jerrold Michael who was also the youngest person to become an admiral in the PHS at the age of 33.
The exact award criteria for the Surgeon General’s Medal are open to the interpretation of the sitting U.S. Surgeon general. Typically, the Surgeon General’s Medal is presented for such actions as medical breakthroughs in public medicine, disease prevention and control, or exceptional service in a senior position of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Due to the prestige of the Surgeon General’s Medallion, the award is authorized for wear on active duty uniforms of the United States armed forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
. When worn on the uniform of a member of the Public Health Service, the ribbon is worn after the Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal
Awards and decorations of the Public Health Service
The Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service, one of the seven uniformed services of the United States, has the authority to issue various awards and commendations to its members. These include individual honor awards, unit honor awards, service awards, and training ribbons...
and before the Department of Commerce Silver Medal, the Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal
Awards and decorations of the Public Health Service
The Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service, one of the seven uniformed services of the United States, has the authority to issue various awards and commendations to its members. These include individual honor awards, unit honor awards, service awards, and training ribbons...
and the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
. People who have won the award include RADM Jerrold Michael who was also the youngest person to become an admiral in the PHS at the age of 33.