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Auxiliary Distinguished Service Medal

A.1. Auxiliary Distinguished Service Award

The Auxiliary Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) recognizes Auxiliarists who distinguish themselves by contributing exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service to the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Coast Guard Auxiliary Distinguished Service Award is only awarded by the Commandant.

A.1.a. Eligibility Criteria

The performance required to justify this award is exceptional performance of duty which benefits the Auxiliary as a whole. This performance, therefore, must be clearly much higher than normally expected, and must have a measurable, positive effect on the entire organization. Normally this award will be given to elected and appointed officers for extraordinary achievement. This statement should not be interpreted so as to preclude the award to any person whose service meets the requirement.

The key words for this award are distinguish and exceptional meritorious service. To justify this award, exceptional performance of duty, clearly much higher than normally expected, which has resulted in significant benefit to the entire Auxiliary organization, is required.

A.1.b. Award Elements

This award consists of a Commandant’s citation letter, a plaque, a ribbon, a miniature medal, and lapel pin. The operational “O” attachment is not authorized for this award. Subsequent awards are signified by ⁵/₁₆-inch gold or silver stars as appropriate.

D13 AWT Team Comments (01/20/06):

This is the highest level award in the Auxiliary series. Obviously anyone who is considered a candidate for this level of award has had a significant impact on the Auxiliary as a whole.

The key phrase around this award is “Auxiliary as a Whole.” Note, this is for benefit to the Auxiliary (not the USCG ).

It is quite possible that many long time and hard working members could put together a program or process that would subsequently be adopted nationally and made a significant positive impact on the whole organization. This type of proven result would qualify.

Any information about potential nominees for this award should be sent immediately to the AWT.

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