The National

Distinguished Service Star™

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Criteria and Description

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Award Set Components:

• Full-Sized Medal with Drape

• Full-Color Certificate with Gold Foil Accents       

• Parchment Award Letter

• Standard Ribbon Bar

• Lapel Pin Version of the Medal

• Hat Pin Miniature Version of the Medal

• Classic Blue and Gold Presentation Case

• Subsequent Award Designation Devices

• Award Registration and Publication

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Criteria: This award may be presented to individuals, departments or organizations that demonstrate distinguished service of the highest caliber in the performance of their work.

 

Distinguished service is defined as extraordinary performance greatly exceeding normal standards and deserving of recognition at the highest level. Appropriate criteria include the following examples of extremely outstanding performance or other instances of similar performance deemed to be of the highest value: 

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1. Extended periods of extremely outstanding performance demonstrating very great initiative                            and dedication.
    

2. Extremely outstanding performance that contributes to the achievement of an organization's                    mission or significantly advances the most important organizational goals and objectives.

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   3. Exceptional performance under the most difficult circumstances or the most challenging
       conditions.
 

   4. Development of a greatly improved work method, process or other innovation that significantly
       increases efficiency and leads to confirmed cost reductions of an extensive nature.
 

   5. Identification of a new service, new product or a service or product improvement that leads to a very                         substantial increase in verified revenue.
 

   6. Heroic acts resulting in the preservation of human life or great savings of property and resources.
 

   7. Exemplary performance in a position of great responsibility.
 

    8. Other accomplishments of the highest order that reflect similar credit upon an individual and his or her                      organization.

 

Medal Description: The National Distinguished Service Star is a circular design containing a gold five-pointed star behind, which is a gold wreath of laurel leaves, encircled by a deep blue ring with the inscription DISTINGUISHED SERVICE in the lower half and eight raised gold stars in the upper half. In the center of the star is an eagle with raised wings standing on a globe. The eagle represents a free and productive people with the globe signifying the global economy. The ribbon consists of blue, white and red panels of equal size. Blue represents dedication; white denotes quality and red represents initiative and determination. The medal comes in a handsome presentation case with lapel pin, hat pin and ribbon bar.

 

Award Authority: Nomination authority for The National Distinguished Service Star rests with the employee's organization but requires approval at the highest level of management. 

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​​Subsequent Award Devices​: Subsequent awards of a medal are indicated with 3/16 inch stars placed on the ribbon drapes and ribbon bars, in colors and format as designated below:  

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B=bronze, S= silver, G=gold, O=Oak leaf cluster 

 

1st Award   ------

2nd               B

3rd               BB

4th              BBB

5th             BBBB

6th                 S

7th                SS

8th               SSS

9th              SSSS   

10th               G

11th              GG

12th             GGG

Beyond 12th   O

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