distinguished service medal
Noun: A specific United States military award presented to recognize exceptionally meritorious service performed with great responsibility during wartime.
The term is used as a proper noun to refer to a specific, high-level U.S. military decoration. It is typically capitalized. * The general was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his leadership during the campaign. * Her citation for the Distinguished Service Medal detailed years of critical logistical planning.
- The award is often referred to by its acronym, DSM.
- He received the DSM for his actions in the Pacific theater.
- It is one of the highest service-specific decorations, ranking below the Service Cross medals (like the Distinguished Service Cross) and the Medal of Honor.
- Distinguished Service Cross (DSC): A U.S. military award for extraordinary heroism in combat, ranking above the Distinguished Service Medal.
- Legion of Merit: A U.S. military award for exceptionally meritorious conduct, which can be awarded in peacetime or wartime and to foreign personnel.
- Medal of Honor: The United States' highest and most prestigious military personal decoration for valor.
- High military decoration
- Meritorious service award
This term refers specifically to a U.S. military award. Other countries have similar awards with different criteria and designs (e.g., the British Distinguished Service Order). The core meaning across contexts is an official recognition for outstanding service of great responsibility, typically in a military context during war.
- a United States military decoration for meritorious service in wartime duty of great responsibility