National Security Medal

National Security Medal
National Security Medal
Type	Individual Award
Status	Active
Statistics
Last awarded	January 16, 2009
Precedence
Equivalent	National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal
National Security Ribbon

The National Security Medal is a decoration of the United States of America officially established by President Harry S. Truman in Executive Order 10431 of January 19, 1953. The medal was originally awarded to any person, without regard to nationality, for distinguished achievement or outstanding contribution on or after July 26, 1947, in the field of intelligence relating to the national security of the United States. ^[1]

On October 2, 2015, President Barack Obama amended Executive Order 10431 to award the medal to any person, without regard to nationality, including members of the Armed Forces of the United States, for distinguished achievement or outstanding contribution made on or after July 26, 1947, in the field of national security through either exceptionally meritorious service performed in a position of high responsibility or through an act of heroism requiring personal courage of a high degree and complete disregard of personal safety.^[2] Two additional sections were added to the original order. First, any individual may recommend a potential recipient as a candidate for the award to the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council. Second, if the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council determines that the medal is warranted and following approval by the President, the Executive Secretary shall notify the Office of the Director of National Intelligence who will then process the award recommendation, prepare the medal and deliver it to the National Security Council for presentation to the recipient.

The National Security Medal is authorized to both civilians and personnel of the United States military and is an authorized decoration for display on active duty uniforms of the United States armed forces. In such cases, the National Security Medal is worn after all U.S. military personal decorations and unit awards and before any military campaign/service awards and foreign decorations.

Additional decorations of the National Security Medal are denoted by a bronze oak leaf cluster.

Notable recipients

• Maj. Gen. William Joseph Donovan ^[3]
• Allen Dulles
• William F. Friedman
• Robert Gates
• Michael Hayden ^[4]
• Richard Helms
• J. Edgar Hoover ^[5]
• Lawrence R. Houston ^[6]
• Clarence Leonard Johnson ^[7]
• Edward Lansdale
• John McCone
• Adm. John Scott Redd ^[8]
• Frank Rowlett ^[9]
• Walter Bedell Smith ^[10]
• Adm. William O. Studeman ^[11]
• William H. Webster
• Ambassador Wendy Sherman ^[12]

See also

• Awards and decorations of the United States government

References

1. 32 C.F.R. § 578.16, 2003
2. "Executive Order: National Security Medal". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
3. William J. Wild Bill Donovan, Major General, United States Army. Arlingtoncemetery.net. Retrieved on 2010-12-30.
4. Paul Bedard (January 16, 2009). "CIA's Hayden, Kappes Receive National Security Medal From Bush". US News. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
5. http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/august/the-hoover-legacy-part-4-evolution-of-u.s.-intelligence
6. DCI Statement on Death of Lawrence Houston — Central Intelligence Agency. Cia.gov. Retrieved on 2010-12-30.
7. Lockheed's Aviation Genius — Central Intelligence Agency. Cia.gov. Retrieved on 2010-12-30.
8. - NATIONAL SECURITY MEDAL AWARDED TO FORMER NCTC DIRECTOR. nctc.gov. Retrieved on 2011-5-23.
9. 99 – Citation Accompanying the National Security Medal Presented to Frank Byron Rowlett., March 2, 1966
10. In Memoriam. General Walter Bedell Smith. 5 October 1895 – 9 August 1961., Central Intelligence Agency, retrieved 31 August 2010
11. Former DDCI Admiral Studeman Feted at Retirement Ceremony — Central Intelligence Agency. Cia.gov. Retrieved on 2010-12-30.
12. . Sanford School of Public Policy. Retrieved on 2016-02-03.