National Defense Service Medal

National Defense Service Medal. It is a service medal of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. The medal recognizes honorable military service during periods of national emergency designated by the Department of Defense. It has been awarded for service during four major conflict eras, making it one of the most widely distributed awards in U.S. military history.

History

The medal was created by Executive order 10448, issued by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on April 22, 1953, during the Korean War. Its initial purpose was to recognize service members who served honorably during the Korean War period, which was designated from June 27, 1950, to July 27, 1954. Subsequent executive orders extended eligibility to cover the Vietnam War era, defined from January 1, 1961, to August 14, 1974, as authorized by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The third award period was established for the Gulf War era, spanning from August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, following operations like Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. The final and most recent period was for the Global War on Terrorism, initiated after the September 11 attacks and lasting from September 11, 2001, to a termination date set by the Secretary of Defense, which was ultimately declared as December 31, 2022.

Criteria

Eligibility requires honorable active service in the United States Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, during any of the four designated periods. Members of the National Guard and Reserve components were eligible if ordered to active federal service, excluding active duty for training. The minimum service requirement was typically 90 consecutive days, though personnel who were discharged or released earlier due to service-connected disabilities were also eligible. Service at West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy also qualified.

Appearance

The medal's design is a bronze disc, 1.25 inches in diameter. The obverse features an American bald eagle with displayed wings, standing on a sword and palm branch, below a constellation of five stars, all within a beaded circle. The reverse bears a shield, taken from the Great Seal, above a fasces, and is inscribed with the words "NATIONAL DEFENSE". The ribbon is 1.375 inches wide, consisting of a central stripe of red, flanked by stripes of yellow, red, blue, white, blue, red, and yellow. A bronze service star is authorized for wear on the ribbon to denote service during a second or subsequent designated period.

Order of wear

In the order of precedence of U.S. military awards, it is worn as a service medal. Its specific placement varies slightly by service branch. For the Army, Air Force, and Space Force, it is worn after the Army of Occupation Medal. For the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, it is worn after the China Service Medal. In all services, it is worn before the Korean Service Medal. When multiple service stars are awarded, they are centered on the ribbon.

Recipients

Due to the lengthy and broad eligibility periods encompassing major conflicts like the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism, it is among the most awarded decorations in U.S. history. Notable recipients include countless service members from all branches, including high-ranking officers such as Colin Powell, who served during the Vietnam War era, and Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., who served during both the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. The medal was also awarded posthumously to casualties of designated conflicts, such as those who died during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Category:Service medals of the United States military Category:1953 establishments in the United States