The NASA Distinguished Service Medal

Time Period: Post-WW2
Institution: 29 July 1959
Country: United States

The NASA Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed to member of the federal government, including both military astronauts and civilian employees by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States. Typical presentations of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal included awards to senior NASA administrators, mission control leaders, and astronauts who have completed several successful space flights.

The medal is awarded to those who display distinguished service, ability, or courage and have personally made a contribution representing substantial progress to the NASA mission. The contribution must be so extraordinary that other forms of recognition would be inadequate.

The medal was originally awarded by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and was inherited by NASA. Due to the prestige of the award, the decoration is authorized for wear on the active uniforms of the United States military.

The NASA Distinguished Service Medal Design

The medal is a three-piece construction struck in bronze gilt with a blue enameled centerpiece. It measures 41.8 millimeters by 45.8 millimeters and is given unnamed. The edge alternates from fluted to Maltese cross-like design.

The obverse shows a golden version of the red, white and blue insignia of NASA. The round shape represents a planet, the stars space, the red v-shaped wing represents aeronautics and the circular orbit around the agency’s name represents space travel. Around the symbols is the inscription “DISTINGUISHED SERVICE” and “NASA”. The reverse sometimes has the name of the recipient engraved as well as the presentation date.

The ribbon is blue, with light-blue and white thinner stripes towards the edges.