The US Meritorious Service Medal is a distinguished military decoration honouring exceptional achievement or service. It features a bronze medal with an eagle and crimson ribbon. Read more..
The United States Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) is a distinguished military decoration that honours members of the U.S. Armed Forces for exceptional meritorious achievement or service to the United States. Initially intended for peacetime achievements, the scope of the award was expanded after September 11, 2001, to also serve as an alternative to the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious accomplishments in designated combat theatres. The MSM has been awarded for acts of distinction since January 16, 1969.
Design
The MSM is a bronze medal featuring six rays emanating from the upper three points of a bevelled, five-pointed star. Positioned in front of the lower part of the star is an eagle with raised wings, standing on two upward-curving laurel branches tied together with a ribbon beneath the eagle's feet. The reverse of the medal has the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "MERITORIOUS SERVICE."
Ribbon
The accompanying silk ribbon is a crimson colour, with two white stripes running parallel to the edges of the ribbon.
