Transportation Distinguished Service Medal

Authorized by Congress in the year of 1949, the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal recognized a variety of levels, types, and degrees of heroism and meritorious service.  Congress created separate versions of the Distinguished Service Medal for each branch of service and a fifth version also recognizes United States Department of Defense personnel contributions. In the past, Coast Guard service members were awarded the Navy version of the Distinguished Service Medal until their own version was established. These military medals were to be presented by the President to individuals who set themselves apart from comrades demonstrating exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty assuming great responsibility in a period of war or in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States. Exceptional performance above normal duty is necessary in order to justify presentation of these United States military medals, which is why they are relatively unique. The term "duty of a great responsibility" applies to a narrower range of positions when the United States is not at war and requires evidence of serious significant achievement. However, justification for the acceptance of these Coast Guard ribbons and Coast Guard medals may be accrued by virtue of exceptionally honorable service in a succession of high positions of great responsibility and danger. Under exceptional circumstances, and with the express approval of the President, these military medals are occasionally awarded for wartime services to civilians who are not members of the US Armed Forces. Until 2003, the presenting authority of the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal was the United States Secretary of Transportation. In 2003, the Coast Guard was transferred from the US Secretary of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security, and they now authorize the honoring of these Coast Guard medals. Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medals are normally only awarded to senior or flag officers, such as the Commandant of the Coast Guard. However, in nineteen ninety eight, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Mr. Rick Trent became the first enlisted member to receive this military medal. These military medals are worn underneath the Distinguished Service Cross Medals of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Defense Department and should be situated above the Silver Stars awarded by each individual branch of service, in the general accepted order of precedence authorized for the typical display of military medals and military ribbons. This unique military honor is often displayed as a military ribbon on a military ribbon rack.