Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM)

This decoration was instituted by Congress on July 9th, 1970.

Awarded to military officers for exceptionally meritorious service while assigned to a Department of Defence joint activity. The Secretary of Defence is the awarding authority fort he medal, which is usually awarded to very senior officers.
For follow-up actions that qualify for this award, a bronze and/or silver oak cluster is awarded, to be worn on the ribbon.
The "C" Device, or "Combat Device" may be placed to denote meritorious service or achievement while in combat.

The medal depicts an American bald eagle with wings spread and the United States shield on its breast.The eagle is superimposed on a medium blue pentagon (which represents the five services) and is surrounded by a gold circle that has thirteen stars in the upper half and a laurel and olive wreath in the lower half.
On the reverse ot the medal is the inscription: “FROM THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO …… FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE”.
The ribbon has a central stripe of red flanked by stripes of gold and blue. The red represents zeal and courageous action, the gold denotes excellence and the medium blue represents the Department of Defense.