National Defense Service Medal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids National Defense Service Medal
Front side
Type	Service medal
Eligibility	Member of the United States Armed Forces during qualifying periods of national emergency
Awarded for	Military service during a time designated by the Secretary of Defense.
Campaign(s)	Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism
Status	Inactive
Description	Obverse: Shows a North American bald eagle, perched on a sword and palm. Above this, in a semicircle, is the inscription "National Defense". Reverse: Shows a shield, taken from the coat of arms of the United States; it is half encircled below with an open wreath, the right side of oak leaves and laurel leaves the left. Ribbon: The ribbon has a wide yellow stripe in the center, flanked by narrow stripes of red, white, blue, white and wide red stripes.
Clasps	Service star for subsequent awards
Statistics
Established	Executive Order 10448, April 22, 1953 (as amended by E.O. 11265, January 11, 1966; E.O. 12776, October 8, 1991; E.O. 13293, March 28, 2003.
Precedence
Next (higher)	Army: Army of Occupation Medal Air Force: Medal for Humane Action Navy: Navy Occupation Service Medal Marine Corps: Navy Occupation Service Medal Coast Guard: Navy Occupation Service Medal
Next (lower)	Korean Service Medal
Related	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Service ribbon and campaign streamer

The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a special award given to members of the United States Armed Forces. President Dwight D. Eisenhower created it in 1953. This medal was given to anyone who served in the U.S. military during certain times of national emergency or conflict. These periods ranged from June 27, 1950, until December 31, 2022. You did not have to serve in a combat zone to receive this medal.

What is the National Defense Service Medal?

The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) was designed to be a general award for military members. It recognized those who served honorably during times when the country declared a "national emergency" due to war or conflict. The Secretary of Defense could also decide other times when this medal should be given.

The NDSM was awarded for four main periods. These periods generally matched up with the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism.

How the NDSM Started

President Dwight Eisenhower officially created the NDSM on April 22, 1953. This was done through something called an Executive Order. The main reason for creating it was to honor all service members who served during the Korean War. This included those who were not fighting directly in the war zone. Soldiers who fought in the war zone received the Korean Service Medal.

At first, only people on active duty could get the NDSM. It also counted for service going back to June 27, 1950, when the Korean War began.

Designing the Medal

The U.S. Army's Heraldic Division helped design the NDSM. A design by T. H. Jones was chosen. It featured an eagle holding a sword and an olive branch on the front. The back showed the shield from the Coat of Arms of the United States. These symbols represented the defense of the United States. Oak and palm leaves around the shield showed strength and readiness.

Who Could Get the Medal?

Over time, the rules for who could receive the NDSM changed. More people became eligible through new executive orders in 1966, 1991, and 2003.

For example, in 1966, the medal was extended to cover service after December 31, 1960. This period ended on August 14, 1974. Later, in 1991, Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney brought the medal back for service starting August 2, 1990. This was for the Gulf War. The rules were also changed to include members of the Reserve Components during this time. This period ended on November 30, 1995.

In 2002, the NDSM was authorized again for all active duty personnel. This was for service starting September 11, 2001. In 2003, the rules changed again to include members of the Selected Reserve. These are people who train regularly with the military, like the National Guard. This change meant that Selected Reserve members from all past periods, including the Korean and Vietnam eras, could also receive the NDSM.

On August 30, 2022, the Secretary of Defense announced that the NDSM would no longer be given out after December 31, 2022.

Importance of the NDSM

The National Defense Service Medal is a very important service award. It is the oldest service medal given by all branches of the United States Armed Forces. Millions of people have received this medal. This makes it the most widely awarded medal in U.S. military history.

When Was the NDSM Awarded?

The National Defense Service Medal was given to all active duty and Selected Reserve U.S. military personnel. This was true regardless of how long they served. They did not need to serve overseas or in combat. The medal was awarded for these specific time periods:

How to Qualify for the NDSM

The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) was awarded to anyone who served on active duty. It also went to active reservists in the United States Armed Forces during the four specific time periods. At first, reservists only qualified if they were full-time or on active duty for more than 89 days. However, this changed in 2003. After that, drilling reservists (Selected Reserve) qualified for all periods.

For the Persian Gulf War, Reserve and National Guard members received the NDSM if they were called to active duty. Later, this was expanded to include all members of the Reserve or National Guard who were in good standing in the Selected Reserve during that time.

For the Global War on Terrorism, Selected Reserve and National Guard members only needed to be in good standing. They did not need active duty service to receive the NDSM. However, inactive or retired reservists were not eligible unless they were called to active duty.

Cadets and midshipmen at military academies could receive the medal once they were sworn into service. Officer candidates at training schools also qualified. But, people who left the military quickly, or ROTC cadets, usually did not get the medal.

The NDSM ranks fourth among service medals in terms of importance. There was no minimum time required to earn it. Even someone who served for only a few days could technically be eligible. However, military offices often did not add the NDSM to records if service was less than 90 days. Veterans who believe they should have received the medal can apply to have it added to their records.

Getting More Than One NDSM

If a military member served during more than one of the eligible time periods, they could receive additional awards of the National Defense Service Medal. Each extra award is shown by a small bronze service star on the medal's ribbon. You would not get a second award just for re-enlisting or switching military branches during the same time period.

Starting in 1966, the U.S. Army used an oak leaf cluster instead of a star for a second NDSM. Other branches used a star.

It was rare for someone to receive three NDSMs. This would mean serving for at least 27 years (from 1974 to 2001) or 36 years (from 1954 to 1990). Someone who received the maximum of four NDSMs would have had a career lasting over 47 years.

NDSM ribbons with 3⁄16 inch bronze stars

First award: service ribbon only

Second award: one 3⁄16-inch bronze star

Third award: two 3⁄16-inch bronze stars

Fourth award: three 3⁄16-inch bronze stars

Related Medals

• American Defense Service Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Korean Service Medal
• Southwest Asia Service Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal

See also

In Spanish: Medalla de Servicio en la Defensa Nacional para niños