National Security Medal

BACK DEVICE(s)

Description:

1. Authorized by Executive Order 10431, January 19, 1953.
2. There is hereby established a medal to be known as the National Security Medal with accompanying ribbons and appurtenances. The medal and its appurtenances shall be of appropriate design, approved by the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council.
3. The National Security Medal may be awarded to any person, without regard to nationality, including members of the armed forces of the United States, for distinguished achievement or outstanding contribution on or after July 26, 1947, in the field of intelligence relating to the national security.
4. The decoration established by this order shall be awarded by the President of the United States or, under regulations approved by him, by such person or persons as he may designate.
5. No more than one National Security Medal shall be awarded to any one person, but for subsequent services justifying an award, a suitable device may be awarded to be worn with the Medal.
6. Members of the armed forces of the United States who are awarded the decoration established by this order are authorized to wear the medal and the ribbon symbolic of the award, as may be authorized by uniform regulations approved by the Secretary of Defense.
7. All military services dictate that a "Gold Compass Rose" be used for additional awards of the National Security Medal.
8. The decoration established by this order may be awarded posthumously.

Background:

1. Description. A blue enameled compass rose surrounded by a red enameled oval, the interior dimensions of which are 1 inch vertically and 7/8 inch horizontally, bearing the inscription "United States of America'' at the top and "National Security'' at the bottom, the whole enclosed within a laurel wreath of gold-finished bronze surmounted by an American bald eagle standing with wings raised.
2. On the reverse a serial number appears on the eagle and the words "Presented To'' are impressed on the compass rose. The name of the recipient is engraved below.
3. The medal is suspended by a loop from a silk moire ribbon 2 inches in length and 1 3/8 inches in width, composed of a band of dark-blue (1/4 inch), gold (3/32 inch), dark blue (11/16 inch), gold (3/32 inch), dark blue (1/4 inch). Diagonal gold lines (3/32 inch in width and 3/32 inch apart) extend downward from the wearer's right to left across the center band of dark blue.
4. The miniature of this medal is furnished at the time of the award.