Aug. 23, 2010 Defense Distinguished Service Medal BACKGROUNDThis award was established by Executive Order 11545 on July 9, 1970. A rather unique feature of this decoration is that it is awarded by the Secretary of Defense and has no delegated authority. No one else can even initiate a recommendation; it is awarded solely at the initiative and
Aug. 4, 2010 Defense Meritorious Service Medal BACKGROUNDThis medal was established by Executive Order 12019 on Nov. 3, 1977, when President Carter signed the order establishing it. The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to military personnel serving with or assigned to a number of joint activities including The Secretary of Defense,
Aug. 23, 2010 Defense Superior Service Medal BACKGROUNDThe Defense Superior Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11904 on Feb. 6, 1976, when President Gerald R. Ford signed the order formally establishing this medal. CRITERIAThe DSSM (pictured above) is awarded by the Secretary of Defense to military officers who perform
March 10, 2021 Developmental Special Duty Ribbon BACKGROUNDThe SECAF established the Air Force Special Duty Ribbon on 4 September 2014 to recognize Airmen who successfully perform the challenge of a special duty assignment. The ribbon was designed to acknowledge the extraordinary commitment and dedication of present and future Airmen who served in
Aug. 4, 2010 Distinguished Flying Cross BACKGROUNDThe Distinguished Flying Cross, authorized by an Act of Congress of July 2, 1926 (amended by Executive Order 7786 on Jan. 8, 1938), was awarded first to Capt. Charles A. Lindbergh, of the U.S. Army Corps Reserve, for his solo flight of 3,600 miles across the Atlantic in 1927, a feat which
Aug. 4, 2010 Distinguished Service Medal BACKGROUNDThis decoration, established by Congress on July 6, 1960, is awarded to members of the United States Air Force who distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility, in combat or otherwise. MEDAL DESCRIPTIONThe Air Force