Distinguished Service Medal of the United States
Awarded by President Truman to James V. Forrestal, March 1949.
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
THIS VERSION MAY BE THE ONE FROM 1957, EISENHOWER ADMINISTRATION.
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States of America military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United States armed forces or other Uniformed services. There is also the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service which is the highest medal that can be awarded to a career government employee.
The Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by Presidential Order dated January 2, 1918, and confirmed by Congress on July 9, 1918.
The Distinguished Service Medal is issued both as a military decoration and civilian award. The Army version of the Distinguished Service Medal is typically referred to simply as the "Distinguished Service Medal" while the other branches of service use the service name as a prefix.
