The US Defence Meritorious Service Medal is a prestigious award recognising outstanding achievements and contributions in the Department of Defence. It symbolises excellence, dedication, and commitment to national security. Read more..
The United States Defence Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) is a distinguished military decoration that honours exceptional service and accomplishments within the Department of Defence. This esteemed medal acknowledges individuals who have demonstrated outstanding performance, leadership, and dedication in non-combat roles that support the broader defence mission of the United States.
Design
The medal features a bronze pendant with a laurel wreath surrounding an eagle with raised wings, in front of a pentagon. The reverse of the medal is engraved with “Defence Meritorious Service”, and “Unites States of America”. There is a space allocated for the engraving of the name of the recipient. The design elements symbolise the achievements of the United States Department of Defence.
Ribbon
The accompanying silk ribbon is a blend of crimson, white, and navy-blue stripes. The full-sized ribbon for the Defence Meritorious Service Medal conforms to standard U.S. military regulations for service ribbons.
If you order your medal unmounted, the medal and ribbon will be supplied as separate components. Miniature medals will be supplied with 15cm of ribbon and full size medals will be supplied with 30cm of ribbon.
The court mounting of medals involves securing medals to a stiff backing board, along with the placement of a brooch fitting on the board. This ensures that the medals remain firmly in place and do not shift or move about while being worn.
It is mandatory for active members of the Australian Defence Force to have their medals court mounted, as it is considered the appropriate method of presenting military honours in a professional and respectful manner. By doing so, the medals are given proper recognition and are displayed in a neat and organized fashion.The swing mounting of medals refers to the attachment of a medal to a ribbon that is allowed to hang freely from a brooch, which in turn is affixed to a uniform or clothing. This mounting style was commonly used for medals from the Boer War up to and including World War II, although there are no fixed guidelines or regulations regarding its use.
Miniature Court Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
Miniature Swing Mounted medals are mounted using the same method as Full size medals, yet they are typically worn to ceremonies were wearing full size medals would be impractical. These medals are commonly worn to all ceremonies that take place after 6 pm such as dinners.
A ribbon bar is a small, rectangular display of ribbons worn on military uniforms to represent various honours and awards earned by the wearer. These ribbons are arranged in a specific order and are attached to a backing, which is then attached to the uniform. Ribbon bars are a compact and convenient way for military personnel to display their achievements and are often used in situations where a full-sized medal or award would be impractical.