Defense Meritorious Service Medal
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is a military award given by the US armed forces .
This decoration is the third highest distinction from the United States Department of Defense after the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and Defense Superior Service Medal and has existed since November 3, 1977.
It is awarded for meritorious work by the entire United States Armed Forces , i.e. cross- armed forces, usually for a period of more than 12 months to staff officers or to longer-serving warrant officers if the award criteria for the Defense Superior Service Medal are insufficient.
In the protocol-related ranking ( Order of Precedence ) this award is less than the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal .
Web links
Commons : Meritorious Service Medals - collection of images, videos and audio files
