National Defense Service Medal
Most of us who served in the military received the red and gold National Defense Service Medal, which is usually the first and only medal to adorn our service uniform. The award is a testament to our military service in times of war.
The NDSM is authorized for all active duty and Selected Reserve United States military personnel, regardless of the length of service, with no requirement for overseas or combat service, for the following periods:
• Korean War from June 27, 1950, to July 27, 1954
• Vietnam War from Jan. 1, 1961, to Aug. 14, 1974
• Persian Gulf War from Aug. 2, 1990, to Nov. 30, 1995
• Global War on Terrorism from Sept. 11, 2001, to Dec. 31, 2022
In a memorandum signed Aug. 30, 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that the Pentagon would no longer award the medal to service members after Dec. 31, 2022, unless another period of service is authorized.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the medal in 1953 as a service award of the United States Armed Forces. It ranks fourth in order of precedence out of 29 service medals. Military clerks automatically add it to your DD 214 (discharge document).
A small bronze service star is awarded for each additional service period and pinned on the ribbon. It is also authorized for all medals to indicate additional service to the original award.
The small bronze service star is not to be confused with the Bronze Star Medal awarded for combat, which is the fourth-highest combat medal and ninth in order of precedence for all U.S. military medals.
The Silver Star is third in precedence, with the Distinguished Service Cross (Army), the Air Force Cross and the Navy Cross for Navy and Marines as the second highest award. The Medal of Honor is the highest combat medal awarded.
Military medals recognize actions during peacetime or war. Service ribbons are awarded for completing a standard service or particular program. For instance, the Army Service Ribbon is awarded to recruits who complete initial-entry training. In addition, the Overseas Service Ribbon is awarded for military service outside the borders of the United States. Each branch of the military has a unique ribbon design.
For information on how to update your DD 214, the National Archives website may help. Form DD 149 is an online form used to update your service record and is where you can apply for lost or additional medals and ribbons.
Some of you may be eligible for a service star on your NDSM, so go to the site and apply for it. You earned it, right? Pin it on to adorn your original medal and show that you served in more than one conflict. Who knows, you may get a free cup of coffee at your favorite restaurant with all those medals. If no free coffee, at least it will start a conversation when people ask about the medal and the star.
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Jack Evensizer is a Dalton Gardens resident and veteran of the U.S. Army Infantry.
