| Meritorious Public Service Medal | |
| Presenter: | Department of the Army |
| Type: | Civil award |
| Eligibility: | any Federal Government officials at the policy development level, and technical personnel who serve the Army in an advisory capacity or as consultants. |
| Awarded For: | Outstanding service that makes a substantial contribution or is of significance to the Army or to a major Army command[1] |
| Established: | January 1959[2] |
| Higher: | Superior Public Service Medal |
| Same: | Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award |
| Lower: | Public Service Commendation Medal |
The Meritorious Public Service Medal formerly the Outstanding Civilian Service Award is the third highest honor within the public service awards scheme of the Department of the Army that can be awarded to a private citizen.[3]
The Secretary of the Army or a major commander may award this medal to eligible recipients, including civilians not employed by the Army or Army contractors (who are eligible for Army honorary awards), military personnel, Federal Government officials at the policy development level, and technical personnel who serve the Army in an advisory capacity or as consultant, for "outstanding service that makes a substantial contribution or is of significance to the Major Command concerned."[4]
The Secretary of the Army or a major commander may award this medal for outstanding service that makes a substantial contribution or is of significance to the major Army command concerned. Commanders of Major Army commands may delegate approval authority for this award to any commander in the rank of Major General or above.
The Meritorious Public Service Medal is a bronze disc NaNinches in height and NaNinches in width. On the obverse is an equilateral triangle symbolic of the civilian. Superimposed on the triangle is the eagle from the Great Seal of the United States. At the base of the medal is a wreath denoting nonmilitary service. The reverse of the medal is inscribed AWARDED TO and FOR MERITORIOUS PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES ARMY.[2]
The medal is suspended by a ribbon NaNinches in width consisting of 13 alternating stripes equally spaced, seven white and six red. Centered on each white stripe is with an oriental blue stripe NaNinches wide.[2]