| National Defense Service Medal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Service medal |
| Awarded for | Military service during a time designated by the Secretary of Defense. |
| 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. |
| Presented by | the U.S. Department of Defense[1] |
| Eligibility | Member of the United States Armed Forces during qualifying periods of national emergency |
| Campaign(s) | Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, and the Global War on Terrorism |
| Clasps | Service star for subsequent awards |
| Status | Inactive |
| 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. |
| First awarded | April 22, 1953 – July 27, 1954 (retroactive to June 27, 1950) |
| Last awarded | December 31, 2022 |
  | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Army: Army of Occupation Medal Air Force: Medal for Humane Action[2] 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 |
The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) was a service award of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. It was awarded to every member of the U.S. Armed Forces who served during any one of four specified periods of armed conflict or national emergency from June 27, 1950 through December 31, 2022. Combat or "in theater" service is not a requirement for the award.
- ^ "Issuances" (PDF). www.esd.whs.mil. 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 12, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- ^ "Air Force Personnel Center - Awards and Decorations". Afpc.af.mil. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2012.