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{{Short description|US Defense Department military decoration}}
{{Short description|United States Department of Defense military decoration}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox award
{{Infobox award
|name=Defense Distinguished Service Medal
| name = Defense Distinguished Service Medal
|image=Defense Distinguished Service Medal.png
| image = Defense Distinguished Service Medal.png
|image_size=150px
| image_size = 150px
|caption=
| presenter = [[United States Department of Defense]]
|presenter=[[United States Department of Defense]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/134833v2_dodm_2016.pdf |title=Issuances |date=2016 |website=www.esd.whs.mil |access-date=2018-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912013545/http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/134833v2_dodm_2016.pdf |archive-date=2017-09-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| type = [[Military awards and decorations|Military medal]]<br>[[Distinguished service medal]]
|type=[[Distinguished service medal]]
| eligibility = Members of the [[United States Armed Forces]]
|eligibility=[[United States Armed Forces]] service members
| awarded_for = Exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility
|awarded_for=Exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility
| status = Currently awarded
|status=Currently awarded
| clasps = [[Oak leaf cluster]] and authorized devices
|description=
| established = July 9, 1970
|clasps=[[Oak leaf cluster]] for subsequent awards
| firstawarded = General [[Earle Wheeler]] (1970)
|established=July 9, 1970
| higher = Military Service Crosses (e.g., [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]], [[Navy Cross]], [[Air Force Cross (United States)|Air Force Cross]])
|firstawarded= General [[Earle Wheeler]] (1970)
| same = [[Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal]]
|lastawarded=
| lower = Military Service Distinguished Service Medals (e.g., [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]], [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]], [[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]])
|total_awarded=
| image2 = [[File:Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|124px|border]]
|total_awarded_posthumously=
| caption2 = [[Service ribbon]]
|total_recipients=
| reverse = [[File:Defense Distinguished Service Medal Reverse.jpg|100px]]
|individual=
|higher=Army: [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]] <br/> Naval Service: [[Navy Cross]] <br/> Air and Space Forces: [[Air Force Cross (United States)|Air Force Cross]] <br/> Coast Guard: [[Coast Guard Cross]]
|same=Department of Homeland Security: [[Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal]]
|lower=Army: [[Army Distinguished Service Medal|Distinguished Service Medal (Army)]] <br/> Naval Service: [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]<br/> Air and Space Forces: [[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal|Distinguished Service Medal (Air and Space Forces)]] <br/> Coast Guard: [[Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal]]
|image2=[[Image:Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|124px|border]]
|caption2=[[Service ribbon]]
}}
}}


The '''Defense Distinguished Service Medal''' is a [[Awards and decorations of the United States military|military decoration]] of the [[United States Department of Defense]], which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to the national security or defense of the United States. The medal was created on July 9, 1970, by President [[Richard Nixon]] in {{ExecutiveOrder|11545}}.<ref>[http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7727 Air Force Personnel Center Defense Distinguished Service Medal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616150027/http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7727 |date=2011-06-16 }}</ref>  President Nixon awarded the first medal, on the day the Executive Order was signed, to General [[Earle Wheeler]], who was retiring from the US Army after serving as [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army]] and then [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]].
The '''Defense Distinguished Service Medal''' (DDSM) is a [[Awards and decorations of the United States military|military decoration]] of the [[United States Department of Defense]]. It is awarded to members of the [[United States Armed Forces]] for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility contributing to the national security or defense of the United States. The medal was established on July 9, 1970, by President [[Richard Nixon]] in {{ExecutiveOrder|11545}}. The first award was presented to General [[Earle Wheeler]] upon his retirement after service as [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army]] and [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-1971-title3-vol1/pdf/CFR-1971-title3-vol1-eo11545.pdf |title=Executive Order 11545—Establishing the Defense Distinguished Service Medal |publisher=Federal Register via GovInfo |access-date=2026-03-02}}</ref>


It is equivalent to the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]]'s [[Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal]].
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is the highest precedence joint personal military decoration awarded by the Department of Defense. It is equivalent in stature to the [[Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal]] awarded by the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]].


==Criteria==
==Criteria==
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is the United States Department of Defense's highest non-combat related military award and it is the highest joint service decoration. The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is awarded only while assigned to a joint activity. Normally, such responsibilities deserving of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal are held by the most senior officers such as the [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|Chairman]] and [[Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]], the chiefs and vice chiefs of the military services, and commanders and deputy commanders of the [[Combatant Command]]s, the [[Director of the Joint Staff]], and others whose duties bring them frequently into direct contact with the [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]], the [[United States Deputy Secretary of Defense|Deputy Secretary of Defense]], and other senior government officials. In addition, the medal may also be awarded to other service members whose direct and individual contributions to national security or national defense are recognized as being so exceptional in scope and value as to be equivalent to contributions normally associated with positions encompassing broader responsibilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Defense Distinguished Service Medal |url=http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/defense_distinguished.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518005213/http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/defense_distinguished.aspx |archive-date=2013-05-18 |url-status=dead |department=Decorations and Awards: U.S. Armed Forces and Department of Defense Decorations |publisher=The Institute of Heraldry |access-date=2018-12-09 }}</ref>
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is awarded for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility while assigned to an organization or activity of the Department of Defense, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]], [[combatant commands]], defense agencies, or other joint duty assignments designated by the Secretary of Defense.


This decoration takes precedence over the Distinguished Service Medals of the services and is not to be awarded to any individual for a period of service for which an [[Army Distinguished Service Medal|Army]], [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal|Navy]], [[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal|Air Force]] or [[Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal]] is awarded.
The medal is normally awarded to the most senior members of the Armed Forces whose duties bring them into direct and frequent contact with the Secretary of Defense and other senior government officials, and whose performance and contributions to national security or defense are at the highest levels. Typical recipients include the [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]], the [[Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]], commanders of the combatant commands, service chiefs and vice chiefs, and other senior leaders with direct responsibility for major activities or programs that significantly influence United States defense policy.
 
The medal may also be awarded to other senior members whose individual contributions to national security or defense are recognized as being so exceptional in scope and value as to be equivalent to contributions normally associated with positions of broader responsibility. The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is intended to recognize sustained exceptionally meritorious service, and it is normally awarded for a period exceeding 12 months encompassing the entirety of a joint assignment.<ref>{{cite web
|title=DoD Manual 1348.33, Volume 4: Manual of Military Decorations and Awards—DoD Joint Decorations and Awards
|publisher=Department of Defense
|date=December 21, 2016
|url=https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/issuances/dodm/
|access-date=2026-03-02
|quote=Provides policy and guidance for Department of Defense joint personal military decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, as amended by Change 6 effective September 19, 2023.
}}</ref>
 
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is worn after the Military Service Crosses and before the Distinguished Service Medals of the individual military services. It is not awarded for a period of service for which a military service Distinguished Service Medal has been awarded.


==Appearance==
==Appearance==
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is gold in color. The obverse features a medium blue enameled pentagon, point upward, superimposed with a bald eagle with wings outstretched grasping three crossed arrows. On the eagle’s breast is a shield bearing the arms of the United States. Surrounding the pentagon is a gold circle consisting of thirteen five-pointed stars in the upper half and a wreath of laurel and olive branches in the lower half. The suspension is composed of five graduated gold rays.


The medal is gold in color and on the obverse it features a medium blue [[Vitreous enamel|enameled]] pentagon (point up). Superimposed on this is an [[Bald eagle|American bald eagle]] with wings outspread facing left grasping three crossed arrows in its talons and on its breast is a shield of the United States. The pentagon and eagle are enclosed within a gold pieced circle consisting, in the upper half of 13 five-pointed stars and in the lower half, a wreath of [[Bay laurel|laurel]] on the left and [[olive]] on the right. At the top is a suspender of five graduated gold rays. The reverse of the medal has the inscription "''For Distinguished Service''" at the top in raised letters, and within the pentagon the inscription "FROM THE [[United States Secretary of Defense|SECRETARY OF DEFENSE]] TO", all in raised letters.
The reverse bears the inscription “''For Distinguished Service''” at the top, with the inscription “''From the Secretary of Defense To''” within the pentagon.


Additional awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters.
==Devices==
Subsequent awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters. The medal may also be awarded with authorized devices, including the “C” device, in accordance with Department of Defense awards policy.<ref>{{cite web
|title=DoD Manual 1348.33, Volume 4: Manual of Military Decorations and Awards—DoD Joint Decorations and Awards
|publisher=Department of Defense
|date=December 21, 2016
|url=https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/issuances/dodm/
|access-date=2026-03-02
}}</ref>


==Notable recipients==
==Notable recipients==
Line 53: Line 67:
* [[Dennis C. Blair]] (four awards)
* [[Dennis C. Blair]] (four awards)
* [[Gregg A. Blevins]]
* [[Gregg A. Blevins]]
* [[Jeremy M. Boorda]] (two awards)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=55014|title=Jeremy Boorda - Recipient - Military Times Hall Of Valor|website=valor.militarytimes.com|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref>
* [[Jeremy M. Boorda]] (two awards)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=55014|title=Jeremy Boorda - Recipient - Military Times Hall Of Valor|website=valor.militarytimes.com|access-date=23 March 2018|archive-date=25 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925181401/http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=55014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Frank Bowman]]
* [[Frank Bowman]]
* [[Philip M. Breedlove]]
* [[Philip M. Breedlove]]
Line 68: Line 82:
* [[Vern Clark]] (three awards)
* [[Vern Clark]] (three awards)
* [[Bruce W. Clingan]]
* [[Bruce W. Clingan]]
* [[Ramon Colon-Lopez]] (first enlisted recipient)
* [[Ramon Colon-Lopez]]  
* [[Robert H. Conn]]
* [[Robert H. Conn]]
* [[James T. Conway]] (three awards)
* [[James T. Conway]] (three awards)
* [[Brad Cooper (admiral)|Brad Cooper]] (two awards)
* [[Jay Coupe, Jr.]]
* [[Jay Coupe, Jr.]]
* [[Bantz J. Craddock]] (two awards)
* [[Bantz J. Craddock]] (two awards)
Line 114: Line 129:
* [[Bradley A. Heithold]]
* [[Bradley A. Heithold]]
* [[James L. Holloway III]] (two awards)
* [[James L. Holloway III]] (two awards)
* [[Alvin Holsey]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=Eleanor |date=2025-12-12 |title=Commander overseeing U.S. forces in Caribbean relinquishes command early amid U.S. buildup near Venezuela |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/commander-u-s-military-forces-caribbean-relinquishes-command-venezuela/ |work=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Grace Hopper]]<ref>{{Cite news |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=15 August 1986 |page=4A |url=http://www.waterholes.com/~dennette/1996/hopper/860815.htm |title=Computer Whiz Retires from Navy |author=UPI |author-link=United Press International |access-date=2018-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222204821/http://www.waterholes.com/~dennette/1996/hopper/860815.htm |archive-date=2014-02-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Grace Hopper]]<ref>{{Cite news |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=15 August 1986 |page=4A |url=http://www.waterholes.com/~dennette/1996/hopper/860815.htm |title=Computer Whiz Retires from Navy |author=UPI |author-link=United Press International |access-date=2018-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222204821/http://www.waterholes.com/~dennette/1996/hopper/860815.htm |archive-date=2014-02-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Michelle Howard]]
* [[Michelle Howard]]
Line 120: Line 136:


=== J ===
=== J ===
* [[Daniel James Jr.]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=45297 |title=Daniel James, Jr., Awards and Citations|website=Hall of Valor |publisher=Military Times |access-date=4 June 2015}}</ref>
* [[Daniel James Jr.]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=45297 |title=Daniel James, Jr., Awards and Citations |website=Hall of Valor |publisher=Military Times |access-date=4 June 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013016/http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=45297 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[David E. Jeremiah]]
* [[David E. Jeremiah]]
* [[Gregory G. Johnson]] (three awards)
* [[Gregory G. Johnson]] (three awards)
Line 126: Line 142:
* [[James L. Jones]] (four awards)
* [[James L. Jones]] (four awards)
* [[George Joulwan]] (three awards)
* [[George Joulwan]] (three awards)
* [[Eldon W. Joersz]]


=== K ===
=== K ===

Latest revision as of 11:55, 13 April 2026

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
File:Defense Distinguished Service Medal.png
TypeMilitary medal
Distinguished service medal
Awarded forExceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility
Presented byUnited States Department of Defense
EligibilityMembers of the United States Armed Forces
ReverseFile:Defense Distinguished Service Medal Reverse.jpg
ClaspsOak leaf cluster and authorized devices
StatusCurrently awarded
EstablishedJuly 9, 1970
First awardedGeneral Earle Wheeler (1970)
File:Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg
Service ribbon
Precedence
Next (higher)Military Service Crosses (e.g., Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross)
EquivalentHomeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
Next (lower)Military Service Distinguished Service Medals (e.g., Army Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal)

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense. It is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility contributing to the national security or defense of the United States. The medal was established on July 9, 1970, by President Richard Nixon in Template:ExecutiveOrder. The first award was presented to General Earle Wheeler upon his retirement after service as Chief of Staff of the United States Army and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[1]

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is the highest precedence joint personal military decoration awarded by the Department of Defense. It is equivalent in stature to the Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal awarded by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Criteria

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is awarded for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility while assigned to an organization or activity of the Department of Defense, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, combatant commands, defense agencies, or other joint duty assignments designated by the Secretary of Defense.

The medal is normally awarded to the most senior members of the Armed Forces whose duties bring them into direct and frequent contact with the Secretary of Defense and other senior government officials, and whose performance and contributions to national security or defense are at the highest levels. Typical recipients include the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, commanders of the combatant commands, service chiefs and vice chiefs, and other senior leaders with direct responsibility for major activities or programs that significantly influence United States defense policy.

The medal may also be awarded to other senior members whose individual contributions to national security or defense are recognized as being so exceptional in scope and value as to be equivalent to contributions normally associated with positions of broader responsibility. The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is intended to recognize sustained exceptionally meritorious service, and it is normally awarded for a period exceeding 12 months encompassing the entirety of a joint assignment.[2]

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is worn after the Military Service Crosses and before the Distinguished Service Medals of the individual military services. It is not awarded for a period of service for which a military service Distinguished Service Medal has been awarded.

Appearance

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is gold in color. The obverse features a medium blue enameled pentagon, point upward, superimposed with a bald eagle with wings outstretched grasping three crossed arrows. On the eagle’s breast is a shield bearing the arms of the United States. Surrounding the pentagon is a gold circle consisting of thirteen five-pointed stars in the upper half and a wreath of laurel and olive branches in the lower half. The suspension is composed of five graduated gold rays.

The reverse bears the inscription “For Distinguished Service” at the top, with the inscription “From the Secretary of Defense To” within the pentagon.

Devices

Subsequent awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters. The medal may also be awarded with authorized devices, including the “C” device, in accordance with Department of Defense awards policy.[3]

Notable recipients

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

J

K

L

M

O

P

R

S

T

W

Z

References

  1. ↑ "Executive Order 11545—Establishing the Defense Distinguished Service Medal" (PDF). Federal Register via GovInfo. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  2. ↑ "DoD Manual 1348.33, Volume 4: Manual of Military Decorations and Awards—DoD Joint Decorations and Awards". Department of Defense. December 21, 2016. Retrieved 2026-03-02. Provides policy and guidance for Department of Defense joint personal military decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, as amended by Change 6 effective September 19, 2023.
  3. ↑ "DoD Manual 1348.33, Volume 4: Manual of Military Decorations and Awards—DoD Joint Decorations and Awards". Department of Defense. December 21, 2016. Retrieved 2026-03-02.
  4. ↑ "Jeremy Boorda - Recipient - Military Times Hall Of Valor". valor.militarytimes.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  5. ↑ "Lt. Gen. Flynn retires from DIA, 33-year Army career". Archived from the original on 2017-02-26. Retrieved 2018-12-16.
  6. ↑ Watson, Eleanor (2025-12-12). "Commander overseeing U.S. forces in Caribbean relinquishes command early amid U.S. buildup near Venezuela". CBS News.
  7. ↑ UPI (15 August 1986). "Computer Whiz Retires from Navy". Detroit Free Press. p. 4A. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  8. ↑ "Daniel James, Jr., Awards and Citations". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "2000 ADM Larson". Nimitz.berkeley.edu. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  10. ↑ "General Carl E. Mundy, Jr. - Retired, 30th Commandant of the Marine Corps". Senior Leader Services Portal, USMC. Archived from the original on 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  11. ↑ "Defense Distinguished Service Medal Criteria, History and Recipients". Usafeenlistedheritage.org. 1970-07-09. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-09-26.
  12. ↑ "General Anthony C. Zinni, USMC". Marine Corps Museum. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-10-28.

Template:US interservice decorations

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