Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM)

This decoration was authorished on February 6, 1976 by an executive order signed by President Gerald Ford.

Awarded by the Secretary of Defense to any member of the armed forces for superior meritorious service after February 6, 1976 in the position of significant responsibility while assigned to a DOD joint activity, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and specified an unified commands.
The medal was created to provide recognition to those assigned to joint duty on a level equivalent tot hat recognition provided by the Legion of Merit. Prior to establishment of the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Office of the Secretary of Defense had to provide recognition through equivalent awards that were approved through individual service channels. Although it was established as equivalent tot he Legion of Merit, its precedence is before the Legion of Merit when both are worn.
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 "R" Device or "Remote Device," is for when a soldier contributes to a combat operation from a remote location.

The medal depicts a silver 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 silver 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 SUPERIOR SERVICE”.
The ribbon has a central stripe of red, flanked on either side by stripes of white, blue and gold.