Secretary's Distinguished Service Award

Secretary's Distinguished Service Award
Type	Medal
Awarded for	"Recognition of exceptionally outstanding leadership, professional competence, and significant accomplishment over a sustained period of time in the field of foreign affairs"
Presented by	United States Department of State
Eligibility	Foreign Service, Civil Service, U.S. military, civilians
Status	Currently awarded
Ribbon
Precedence
Next (lower)	Secretary’s Award

The Secretary's Distinguished Service Award is an award of the United States Department of State. It is presented at the discretion of the Secretary of State in recognition of exceptionally outstanding leadership, professional competence, and significant accomplishment over a sustained period of time in the field of foreign affairs. Such achievements must be of notable national or international significance and have made an important contribution to the advancement of U.S. national interests.^{[1][better source needed]}

The award is personally authorized by the Secretary of State provided that one of the criteria eligibility in Foreign Affairs Manual is met. It may be presented to members of the foreign affairs communities.

The award consists of a gold medal set and a certificate signed by the Secretary of State. The specific criteria for the issuance of the Secretary’s Award is determined by the Secretary of State.