National Defense Service Medal

The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a service award of the United States Armed Forces created by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. It is awarded to every member of the US Armed Forces.

National Defense Service Medal
The obverse view of the medal shows the American bald eagle, perched on a sword and palm. Above this, in a semicircle, is the inscription National Defense.
National Defense Service Medal
Awarded by the Department of Defense[1]
TypeService medal
EligibilityMember of the United States Armed Forces during qualifying periods of national emergency
Awarded forMilitary service during periods of national emergency or any other periods designated by the Secretary of Defense.
Campaign(s)Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Global War on Terrorism
StatusActive
DescriptionObverse: Shows a North American bald eagle, perched on a sword and palm. Above this, in a semicircle, is the inscription "National Defense".
Reverse: Shows a shield, taken from the coat of arms of the United States; it is half encircled below with an open wreath, the right side of oak leaves and laurel leaves the left.
Ribbon: The ribbon has a wide yellow stripe in the center, flanked by narrow stripes of red, white, blue, white and wide red stripes.
ClaspsService star for subsequent awards
Statistics
EstablishedExecutive Order 10448, April 22, 1953 (as amended by E.O. 11265, January 11, 1966; E.O. 12776, October 8, 1991; E.O. 13293, March 28, 2003.
First awardedApril 22, 1953 – July 27, 1954 (retroactive to June 27, 1950)
Last awardedMarch 28, 2003 – present (retroactive to September 11, 2001)
Precedence
Next (higher)Army: Army of Occupation Medal
Air Force: Medal for Humane Action[2]
Navy: Navy Occupation Service Medal
Marine Corps: Navy Occupation Service Medal
Coast Guard: Navy Occupation Service Medal
Next (lower)Korean Service Medal
RelatedGlobal War on Terrorism Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg

Streamer NDS.PNG
Service ribbon and Campaign streamer

References

  1. "Issuances" (PDF). www.esd.whs.mil. 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 12, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  2. "Air Force Personnel Center - Awards and Decorations". Afpc.af.mil. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2012.