Defense Meritorious Service Medal

All five branches of the US military award Meritorious Service Medals, but the highest version is a separate issue by the Department of Defense, called the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. These military ribbons and medals were created by President Lyndon Johnson with an Executive Order issued on January 16, 1969. These medals of America are presented to service members of all U.S. Armed Forces for outstanding non-combat meritorious service to the U.S., where the acts or services performed are similar to those for which the Legion of Merit is awarded, but entailing slightly lower levels of responsibility. On July 2, 1981, President Ronald Regan authorized the granting of these US military medals to members of friendly armed forces. Normally these military medals would only be awarded to field grade officers, senior warrant officers, and senior noncommissioned officers.

The Defense Meritorious Service Medal ranks just below the Purple Heart and just above the five services versions of the Meritorious Service Medal in the general order of precedence that has been established for the proper display of all military decorations. Subsequent awards of these military medals are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters in all branches of service.

The Defense Meritorious Service Medal can be worn as full size military medals, mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins. These military awards are available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and traditional slide-on military ribbons. In more recent times and the sleek new thin military medals, mini-medals and the ultra thin military ribbons have garnered a wide following with military personnel who have realized the importance of always looking their best to enhance their chances of advancement in their respective military services.