Meritorious Service Medal. Illustrated by Virginia Reyes of the Air Force News Agency. This image is 4x8 inches @ 200 ppi. The Meritorious Service Medal was established on Jan. 16, 1969 and is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to Jan. 16, 1969. The Meritorious Service Medal was amended on July 2, 1981, to authorize award to members of the armed forces of friendly foreign nations.
Meritorious Service Medal, awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the US who distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service to the US subsequent to 16 Jan 1969. Air Force Awards and Decorations (enhance color), U.S. Air Force graphic, AFNEWS/PAND. The JPG image is a stylized version whereas the EPS version is a two-dimensional line art illustration.
Background
This decoration was established by Executive Order 11448 on Jan. 16, 1969. This award was established as the counterpart of the Bronze Star Medal for the recognition of meritorious noncombatant service.
Criteria
The Meritorious Service Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguishes themselves by either outstanding achievement or meritorious service to the United States.
Medal Description
The medal was designed by Jay Morris and sculptured by Lewis J. King, Jr., both of the Army's Institute of Heraldry. It is a one and one-half inch medallion in bronze, on the obverse as eagle wings upraised, standing upon two upward curving branches of laurel tied with a ribbon between the talons of the eagle, above and behind the eagle the upper part of a five-pointed star (with two smaller stars outlined within) on a incised plaque with six points starting at the top of each wing of the eagle. The reverse is plain with a circular inscription in raised letters, United States of America and Meritorious Service separated by dots.
Ribbon Description
The ribbon is purplish red with a quarter inch white stripe one-eighth inch from each edge.
