NASA Distinguished Service Medal

TYPE I	TYPE II
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DEVICE(s)

Description:

1. Type I was issued from 1958 until 1964. Only three were awarded - J.W. Crowley, Alan B Shepphard, Jr., and Virgil I. "Guss" Grissom. 
   Type II began being issued in 1964.
2. This is the highest award that can be bestowed to member of the federal government, including both military astronauts and civilian employees by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States. Typical presentations of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal included awards to senior NASA administrators, mission control leaders, and astronauts who have completed several successful space flights.
   The medal is awarded to those who display distinguished service, ability, or courage and have personally made a contribution representing substantial progress to the NASA mission. The contribution must be so extraordinary that other forms of recognition would be inadequate.
   The medal was originally awarded by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and was inherited by NASA. Due to the prestige of the award, the decoration is authorized for wear on the active uniforms of the United States military.

Background:

1. Before NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) was formed there existed it's predecessor, NACA, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. On 18 January 1958, NACA recommended to President Eisenhower that a national space program be implemented. The creation of NASA had began. On 29 July 1958, President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act which formally created NASA.
   Prior to NASA's creation, NACA had realized the need for their own awards system for recognition of their employees. In November 1954 NACA had created two awards, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Exceptional Service Medal. Because NACA was absorbed into NASA, NASA inherited these awards. They were rapidly modified and were renamed as NASA medals.
2. The Type I Medal
   1. The medal is sterling silver. 
   2. The obverse planchet bears the official seal of NASA with "National Aeronautics and Space Administration / U.S.A." stamped around the rim.
   3. The reverse has a relief image of oak branches around the rim with "Exceptional Service" in raised letters at the top. 
   4. The planchet is attached with a suspension ring to a tapered ribbon.
   5. The ribbon and drape of the Type I medal has vertical stripes comprised of the colors Navy blue, blue, purple, sky blue, white, sky blue,  purple, blue, Navy blue.
   6. Informally this design was called the "Meatball" design.
3. The Type II Medal
   1. The medal is gold-colored cross-shape with large points at the cardinal points and smaller legs at the intercardinal points, superimposed over a wreath.
   2. The center is blue enamel with a 3D NASA insignia on top.
   3. In a ring around the center, engraved words read, "DISTINGUISHED SERVICE / NASA."
   4. The reverse is blank.
   5. The ribbon and drape are 1 3/8" wide and the vertical colors are 9/32" Oriental Blue, 1/16" Blue Turquoise, 5/8" Navy Blue # 1, 1/16" Blue Turquoise, 9/32" Oriental Blue
4. All service manuals indicate that only the "gold planet" be worn on medals and ribbons.  However, the Milspec for the ribbon attachment states that it be created in both silver and gold.  The Milspec also indicates that the silver is for the second award of the decoration and gold is for the third.
5. Information from
   Naval History and Heritage Command
   Decoration, Distinguished Service Medal, NASA MIL-DTL-3943 57J 22 June 2021
   Ribbon, Distinguished Service Medal, NASA MIL-DTL-11589 53J 17 August 2021
   Ribbon Attachment, Additional Awards, National Aeronautics And Space Administration MIL-DTL-41819/20D 30 September 1996