[Title 32 CFR 578.16]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - July 1, 2002 Edition]
[Title 32 - NATIONAL DEFENSE]
[Chapter V - DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY]
[Subchapter F - PERSONNEL]
[Part 578 - DECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES]
[Sec. 578.16 - National Security Medal.]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


32NATIONAL DEFENSE32002-07-012002-07-01false578.16Sec. 578.16NATIONAL DEFENSEDEPARTMENT OF THE ARMYPERSONNELDECORATIONS, MEDALS, RIBBONS, AND SIMILAR DEVICES
Sec. 578.16  National Security Medal.

    (a) Criteria. The National Security Medal, established by Executive 
Order on January 19, 1953, is awarded to any person, without regard to 
nationality, including members of the Armed Forces of the United States 
for distinguished achievement or outstanding contribution on or after 
July 26, 1947, in the field of intelligence relating to the national 
security. This contribution may consist of either exceptionally 
meritorious service performed in a position of high responsibility or of 
an act of valor requiring personal courage of a high degree and complete 
disregard of personal safety.
    (b) Description. A blue enameled compass rose surrounded by a red 
enameled oval, the interior dimensions of which are 1 inch vertically 
and \7/8\ inch horizontally, bearing the inscription ``United States of 
America'' at the top and ``National Security'' at the bottom, the whole 
enclosed within a laurel wreath of gold-finished bronze surmounted by an 
American bald eagle standing with wings raised. On the reverse a serial 
number appears on the eagle and the words ``Presented To'' are impressed 
on the compass rose. The name of the recipient is engraved below. The 
medal is suspended by a loop from a silk moire ribbon 2 inches in length 
and 1\3/8\ inches in width, composed of a band of dark-blue (\1/4\-
inch), gold (\3/32\-inch), dark blue (\11/16\-inch), gold (\3/32\-inch), 
dark blue (\1/4\-inch). Diagonal gold lines (\3/32\ inch in width and 
\3/32\ inch apart) extend downward from the wearer's right to left 
across the center band of dark blue. The miniature of this medal is 
furnished at the time of the award.

(E.O. 10431, January 19, 1953, 18 FR 437)