Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force)

Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force). The United States Air Force awards the Distinguished Service Medal to United States Air Force personnel who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service to the United States Department of Defense, National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, or the United States Air Force while serving in a position of great responsibility. This award is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Medal (United States Navy), Distinguished Service Medal (United States Army), and Distinguished Service Medal (United States Coast Guard), and is ranked above the Legion of Merit and below the Medal of Honor. The United States Air Force also awards the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to United States Air Force personnel who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service to the United States Air Force.

● History

The Distinguished Service Medal was established by Act of Congress on July 9, 1918, and is one of the oldest awards in the United States Armed Forces. The United States Air Force adopted the Distinguished Service Medal in 1947, after the National Security Act of 1947 created the United States Air Force as a separate branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) is awarded to United States Air Force personnel who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service to the United States Department of Defense, National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, or the United States Air Force while serving in a position of great responsibility, such as the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Secretary of the Air Force, or the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) is also awarded to United States Air Force personnel who have served in senior positions in the Pentagon, such as the Under Secretary of the Air Force or the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition.

● Eligibility

The Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to United States Air Force personnel who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service to the United States Department of Defense, National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, or the United States Air Force while serving in a position of great responsibility. Eligibility for the Distinguished Service Medal includes United States Air Force personnel who have served in senior positions in the Pentagon, such as the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Secretary of the Air Force, or the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) is also awarded to United States Air Force personnel who have served in senior positions in the United States Department of State, such as the Secretary of State, or in the United States Department of Defense, such as the Secretary of Defense. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) is awarded to United States Air Force personnel who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and achievement in their field, such as General Curtis LeMay, General Henry H. Arnold, or General Carl A. Spaatz.

● Appearance

The Distinguished Service Medal is a gold medal that is 1 1/2 inches in diameter, with a blue enamel ring in the center, surrounded by a gold wreath. The medal is suspended from a blue ribbon with a gold stripe in the center. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) is awarded with a certificate and a citation, which is signed by the Secretary of the Air Force or the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) is also awarded with a lapel pin, which is worn on the United States Air Force uniform. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) is displayed in a place of honor, such as the Pentagon, the United States Air Force Academy, or the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

● Notable Recipients

The Distinguished Service Medal has been awarded to many notable United States Air Force personnel, including General Curtis LeMay, General Henry H. Arnold, and General Carl A. Spaatz. Other notable recipients include General Jimmy Doolittle, General Ira Eaker, and General Nathan F. Twining. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) has also been awarded to United States Air Force personnel who have served in senior positions in the Pentagon, such as the Under Secretary of the Air Force or the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) has been awarded to United States Air Force personnel who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and achievement in their field, such as General Ronald Fogleman, General John P. Jumper, or General T. Michael Moseley. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) has also been awarded to United States Air Force personnel who have served in combat, such as General William R. Looney III, General Richard B. Myers, or General Norton A. Schwartz.

● Awards and Decorations

The Distinguished Service Medal is one of the highest awards in the United States Air Force, and is ranked above the Legion of Merit and below the Medal of Honor. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Medal (United States Navy), Distinguished Service Medal (United States Army), and Distinguished Service Medal (United States Coast Guard). The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) is also related to other awards, such as the Meritorious Service Medal (United States), the Air Medal, and the Commendation Medal. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) is awarded to United States Air Force personnel who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and achievement in their field, and is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the United States Air Force. The Distinguished Service Medal (United States Air Force) is displayed in a place of honor, such as the Pentagon, the United States Air Force Academy, or the National Museum of the United States Air Force, along with other notable awards, such as the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Silver Star.

Category:United States Air Force awards and decorations