Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal

BACK DEVICE(s) None

Description:

1. On 8 September 1976 the Assistant Secretary for Health, Theodore Cooper, expanded the Commisioned Officers Awards Program by authorizing the establishment of medals and ribbons as part of the program. Initially only three medals were established; the Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and the Commendation Medal. The program has been expanded throughout the years and consists of fifteen indiviual awards and two unit awards.
2. Authorized in Commissioned Corps Instruction 511.01 dated 19 January 2021 Amended 7 November 2022
3. The Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) is presented to PHS officers by the Assistant Secretary of Health for high level achievement.
4. The medal represents meritorious service on the basis of of a single particularly important achievement, a career notable for accomplishments in technical or professional fields, or high quality and initiative in leadership.
5. Levels of performance meriting this award include a highly significant achievement in research, program directives, or program administration, a series of significant contributions; a continuing period of meritorious service ; or exhibition of great courage in dangerous work or in an emergency.
6. When awarded for a heroic act at the the risk of the officer's life , a bronze "V" device is worn centered on both the suspension and service ribbon of the Meritorious Service Medal.

Background:

1. Obverse
   The obverse of the silver finished medal features the Commisioned Officer's insignia surrounded by the inscription "PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE" in a curved line above and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in a curved line below the insignia.
2. Reverse
   The reverse of earlier medals of the MSM has an inscribed with a 5 pointed star near the top and at the bottom are inscribed on two curved lines "DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH" stacked above "EDUCATION AND WELFARE", whereas current issues have a smooth blank reverse.
3. Ribbon
   The drape and the ribbon are 1 3/8" in width and designed in the layout of 3/32 " Navy Blue # 2, 1/16 " White, 3/8 " Maroon, 1/4 " White, 3/8 " Maroon, 1/16 " White, 3/32 " Navy Blue # 2.
4. Device(s)
1. When awarded for a heroic act at the risk of the officer's life, a bronze "V" device is worn centered on the suspension and service ribbon of the medal.
2. A gold 5/16 inch star ia worn the on suspension and service ribbon of the medal to denote subsequent awards.
3. A silver 5/16 inch star in lieu of 5 gold stars.
5. Information from
   The Call of Duty : Military Awards and Decorations of the United States of America by John E. Strandberg
   Decoration, Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Public Health Service MIL-DTL-3943/112F 19 February 2019
   Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Public Health Service MIL-DTL-11589/296F 23 November 2021