Distinguished Service Medal Ribbon / Medal Details

Details for the Distinguished Service Medal

Date Authorized: January 2nd, 1918 by Presidential Order

Ribbon Identification Colors: gold; blue (67118); red (67111); white (67101)

Visual Description (Ribbon):

Ribbon is colored with a thick band of scarlet, a thin band of ultramarine blue, a wide center band of white, a thin band of ultramarine blue and again with a thick band of scarlet.

Visual Description (Medal):

Gold United States Coat of Arms encircled by a dark blue circle; circle is inscribed with "FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MCMXVIII"; recipients name is engraved on the reverse side of the medal; medal is connected to the ribbon via a horizontal bar.

Award Criteria:

Accomplishing extremely exceptional action (well above and beyond normal duty) for the United States Government when in service to the United States Army and in a position of high responsibility; not restricted to wartime; may be given to individuals beyond the armed services though only in a time of war and through the direct approval of the President of the United States.

For official awarding criteria per the US military, please visit: http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Awards/order_of_precedence.aspx