DEFENSE SUPERIOR SERVICE MEDAL

The 'Defense Superior Service Medal' of the United States is a senior decoration of the Department of Defense. It is awarded to members of the United States military who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."
The decoration is most often presented to senior officers in the flag and general officer grades. The medal is presented in the name of the Secretary of Defense and was established by President Gerald R. Ford on February 6, 1976 in .
The first recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal was Brigadier General John G. Jones, United States Army, for service as the Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense from February of 1972 to July of 1975.
''See also: Awards and decorations of the United States military''