National Defense Service Medal

National Defense Service Medal
Obverse
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
Service ribbon and campaign streamer
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) is 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.