United States – Defense Superior Service Medal

Allied Forces > United States > Awards & Medals >

United States Defense Superior Service Medal by Graco-GI. Instituted February 6, 1976, the Defense Superior Service Medal was awarded for Superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility. It is constructed out of a die struck silver alloy base that has been silver washed, chemically burnished and contains blue enamel work. The round shaped obverse features centrally placed shield of the United States to the chest of an American eagle, with outstretched wings, clutching three arrows in its talons, on top of a blue pentagon and surrounded by a laurel leaf and berry / olive branch wreath to the half-bottom and arching stars to the half-top. The reverse has a raised pentagon with “From the Secretary of Defense to” and “For Superior Service” arched to the top. To the top is a loop and ring which holds a yellow, blue, white and red ribbon. The reverse of the ribbon features a rectangular bar, which is maker marked: “Graco-GI”, and holds a soldered-on pin, hinge and catch assembly. It measures 1 5/8 inches in diameter.