United States: A miniature Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

The gilt and enamelled miniature complete with its corded silk riband

The medal suspended from a crimped brooch mounting bar. This with Federal Contractors marks for maker, 'H.L.P. - G.I.' and retaining its hinged pin and intricate drop loc clasp fittings as issued

A contemporary issue circa 1970-2000, including for campaigns & wars: Vietnam, Grenada, Liberation of Kuwait, Somalia, Balkans, Kosovo

This is the fourth highest ranking decoration awarded to the USAF and USSF, it is ranked immediately before the 'Silver Star'

The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (AFDSM) is a military decoration of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force and is presented to airmen and guardians to recognize distinguished and exceptionally meritorious service to the United States while serving in a duty or position of great responsibility. The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960 and was first awarded in 1965. Prior to the creation of the Distinguished Service Medal in 1960, United States Air Force airmen were awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal

The interpretation of the phrase "great responsibility" means that this medal is generally awarded only to officers who hold at least the rank of major general. However, as is customary for most military decorations, the requirements for the Distinguished Service Medal are interpreted more liberally when awarded upon retirement. As a result, it is the typical decoration for a retiring brigadier general, and in recent years it has also been awarded to the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force upon retirement. Cases of the award of this decoration to an individual who was not a general officer, or the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, are unusual. Two notable exceptions are astronauts Colonel Buzz Aldrin and Colonel David Scott (who flew on Gemini 8, Apollo 9, and Apollo 15) who was awarded the medal twice

Condition: EF

Code: 23246