Secretary's Distinguished Service Award Explained
| Secretary's Distinguished Service Award |
| Presenter: | United States Department of State |
| Type: | Medal |
| Eligibility: | Foreign Service, Civil Service, U.S. military, civilians |
| Awarded For: | "Recognition of exceptionally outstanding leadership, professional competence, and significant accomplishment over a sustained period of time in the field of foreign affairs" |
| Status: | Currently awarded |
| Lower: | Secretary’s Award |
The Secretary's Distinguished Service Award is an award of the United States Department of State. It is presented at the discretion of the Secretary of State in recognition of exceptionally outstanding leadership, professional competence, and significant accomplishment over a sustained period of time in the field of foreign affairs. Such achievements must be of notable national or international significance and have made an important contribution to the advancement of U.S. national interests.[1]
The award is personally authorized by the Secretary of State provided that one of the criteria eligibility in Foreign Affairs Manual is met. It may be presented to members of the foreign affairs communities.
The award consists of a gold medal set and a certificate signed by the Secretary of State. The specific criteria for the issuance of the Secretary’s Award is determined by the Secretary of State.
Nominating and approval procedures
Nominations for the Secretary's Distinguished Service Award are normally initiated by the Secretary of State. However, officials at assistant secretary or higher level who wish to recommend an individual for this award may do so by submitting a memorandum of justification, cleared by the Director General, to the Executive Secretary of the Department.
Military use
Upon authorization, members of the U.S. military may wear the medal and ribbon in the appropriate order of precedence as a U.S. non-military personal decoration.
Notable recipients
- Kristie Kenney, former U.S Ambassador to Thailand, the Philippines, Ecuador and former Counselor of the State Department
- Marca Bristo, disability rights activist
- Constance Berry Newman, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, September 2005[2]
- Daniel Bennett Smith, U.S. Ambassador to Greece[3]
- David Petraeus, General, U.S. Army[4]
- Raymond T. Odierno, General, U.S. Army
- Lloyd Austin, General, U.S. Army
- William M. Fraser III, General, U.S. Air Force
- Colin Powell, General, U.S. Army and former U.S. Secretary of State [5]
- John Beyrle, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Bulgaria
- Llewellyn Thompson, Ambassador to the Soviet Union [6]
- Earl R. Miller, former U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh and Botswana, issued on May 20, 2022.[7]
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: 3 FAM 4822.2 The Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award . US Department of State. January 31, 2003 . December 13, 2005 .
- https://web.archive.org/web/20121105202027/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-136261449.html HighBeam
- Web site: Ambassador . Athens.usembassy.gov . 2010-09-07 . 2011-04-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234928/http://athens.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html . 2013-12-02 .
- Web site: Gen. David Petraeus and his medals . Telegraph . 2010-06-09 . 2011-04-19.
- Web site: Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. 2020-08-06.
- For distinguished service in the conduct of Foreign Relations of the United States. As High Commissioner and Ambassador to Austria, his firmness, patience, negotiating skill, and good judgment were in large part responsible for the successful conclusion of the Trieste Agreement and the Austrian State Treaty. This last achievement has been recognized by he Free World as one which could be a turning point in our struggle for peace." Issued 4/4/1956, Thompson Family Archives.
- Web site: Secretary Blinken presents Distinguished Service Award. 2022-05-20.
