United States Air Force Distinguished Service Medal of the 1960 model, with a bar

The original medal is in excellent condition. Heavy metal, enamel, glass, stamping. On the original shoe. Complete with a strap. Guarantee of authenticity. Rare.

The Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force Distinguished Service Medal) is an American medal awarded to persons serving in the US Air Force in any position for exceptional merits in the performance of their duties. Established by the U.S. Congress on July 6, 1960. The equivalent of this medal for the Army is the Distinguished Service Medal of the U.S. Army. For the Navy, there is the equivalent of the US Navy Distinguished Service Medal. The reason for the creation was that the Air Force did not have its own analogue of the Medal "For Outstanding Service", unlike the rest of the US armed forces. The medal is awarded to members of the US Air Force for exceptionally outstanding service to the US government, service with great responsibility. The term "great responsibility" implies the responsibility of senior officers, so the award is mainly awarded to military personnel with at least the rank of Major General. However, after retirement (or before it), it is customary in some cases not to pay attention to the rank. Such awards have become commonplace for retiring Brigadier Generals, and in 2013 the Chief Master Sergeant was awarded before his retirement. New awards of this medal are marked by the addition of oak leaves to the ribbon of the first medal.