Type Military medal Established 1 March 2002 | Status Currently awarded First awarded 2006 | |
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Eligibility Members of the United States Armed Forces Awarded for Exceptionally meritorious service | ||
The Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States by the United States Department of Homeland Security. The current version of the medal was established on March 1, 2002.
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History
The decoration was originally established as the Transportation Distinguished Service Medal by Executive Order 12824, signed by President George H. W. Bush on December 7, 1992. On February 28, 2003, President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13286, which, among other things, replaced the Transportation version of the award with the Homeland Security version retroactively to March 1, 2002. On April 5, 2011, President Barack Obama amended Executive Order 12824, as amended, modifying the award eligibility from "a member of the Coast Guard" to "any member of the Armed Forces of the United States".
Order of precedence
As a distinguished service medal, this decoration is one of the highest awards that can be bestowed upon a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The award would be worn after the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross and Coast Guard Cross and, for members of the Coast Guard, before the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Department-specific DSM decorations. The medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States.