Defense Distinguished Service Medal
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to the national security or defense of the United States. The medal was created on July 9, 1970, by President Richard Nixon in Executive Order 11545. President Nixon awarded the first medal, on the day the Executive Order was signed, to General Earle Wheeler, who was retiring from the US Army after serving as Chief of Staff of the United States Army and then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
| Defense Distinguished Service Medal | |
|---|---|
| Type | Distinguished service medal |
| Awarded for | Exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility |
| Presented by | United States Department of Defense |
| Eligibility | United States Armed Forces service members |
| Clasps | Oak leaf cluster for subsequent awards |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | July 9, 1970 |
| First awarded | General Earle Wheeler (1970) |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Army: Distinguished Service Cross Naval Service: Navy Cross Air and Space Forces: Air Force Cross Coast Guard: Coast Guard Cross |
| Equivalent | Department of Homeland Security: Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal |
| Next (lower) | Army: Distinguished Service Medal (Army) Naval Service: Navy Distinguished Service Medal Air and Space Forces: Distinguished Service Medal (Air and Space Forces) Coast Guard: Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal |
It is equivalent to the United States Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal.