| Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal | |
|---|---|
| Awarded by United States Department of Homeland Security |
|
| Type | Medal |
| Eligibility | Members of the United States armed forces |
| Awarded for | Exceptionally meritorious service |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1 March 2002 |
| First awarded | 2006 |
| Total awarded | 4 |
| Distinct recipients |
Admiral Thad Allen (2 awards) Admiral Thomas H. Collins Vice Admiral Vivien Crea Admiral Arthur E. Brooks |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Coast Guard - Navy Cross
Army - Distinguished Service Cross |
| Equivalent | Distinguished Service Medal: Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force |
| Next (lower) | Coast Guard - Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal |
Ribbon bar of the medal |
|
The Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States by the United States Department of Homeland Security. The current version of the medal was established on March 1, 2002.[1]
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The decoration was originally established as the Transportation Distinguished Service Medal by Executive Order 12824, signed by President George H.W. Bush on December 7, 1992. On February 28, 2003, President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13286, which, among other things, replaced the Transportation version of the award with the Homeland Security version retroactively to March 1, 2002. On April 5, 2011, President Barack Obama amended Executive Order 12824, as amended, modifying the award eligibility from "a member of the Coast Guard" to "any member of the Armed Forces of the United States".[2]
The first Department of Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal was awarded to then-Vice Admiral Thad W. Allen in 2006 for his service in response to Hurricane Katrina. Admiral Allen received the award for a second time in 2010 at the end of his term as Commandant of the Coast Guard.[3][4]
Admiral Thomas H. Collins was presented the award in 2006 at the end of his term as Commandant of the Coast Guard.[5]
Vice Admiral Vivien Crea was presented the award in 2009 at the end of her term as Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard.
Admiral Arthur E. Brooks was presented the award in 2007. Both Admiral Arthur E. Brooks and Admiral Thad W. Allen are the only officers to receive the award while still upon active duty.
As a distinguished service medal, this decoration is one of the highest awards that can be bestowed upon a member of the armed forces.
The award would be worn after the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross and Air Force Cross and, for members of the Coast Guard, before the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Department-specific DSM decorations. The medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States.