“National Defense Service Medal” award recognizes those honored United States military personnel (qualified Active, Reserve, Retired, or Separated) who have served during the prescribed time-frame (refer to the dates listed below). Measures 1 3/8” by 3/8” (available in Rhodium™ (silver) and Gol-tone™ (gold) border finishes. The National Defense Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Created in 1953, the National Defense Service Medal was intended to be a “blanket campaign medal” awarded to any member of the United States military who served honorably during a designated time period of which a “national emergency” had been declared. In the fifty years since the creation of the National Defense Service Medal, it is only authorized for the following time periods (•June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1954 for service during the Korean War •January 1, 1961 to August 14, 1974 for service during the Vietnam War •August 2, 1990 to November 30, 1995 for service during the Gulf War •September 11, 2001 to a date to be announced for service during the War on Terrorism). The National Defense Service Medal is awarded to anyone who serves on active duty in the United States military during the above time periods. For service in the Gulf War and War on Terrorism, it is also authorized for members of the military reserve or national guard who are ordered to active duty for reasons other than military training. The National Defense Service Medal is further authorized to students at the service academies after they are sworn in as military officers, but is not granted to discharged or retired veterans who did not serve in one of the above time periods. The decoration is not authorized to members of the inactive reserve component. If you command higher standards of appearance then Blackinton® Enameled Commendation Bars are for you. Each commendation bar comes with its own cab-slide holder (clutch-back) that quickly attaches to your uniform. Just like the beauty of Blackinton® badges, insignia, and specialty items, the commendation bars depict absolute attention-to-detail on any uniform. Beautiful, deep and bright enamel colors are surrounded by a bright polished silver or gold finish! Combine your multiple awards into a handsome cab-slide holder (beautifully and securely holds multiple awards as one unit, in a myriad of available options.) The Blackinton® name has been synonymous with expert craftsmanship since its early beginnings in 1852. Blackinton®… “Achieving artistry in metal”. That’s exactly what Blackinton® achieves. Versatility, creativity, and expert craftsmanship are Blackinton® hallmarks, and what makes Blackinton® badges, commendations, and custom insignia the number one choice of law enforcement and public safety professionals! (Note: In addition to the commendation bars shown here, custom commendation bars can be ordered! All Blackinton® commendation bars (shown), badges, and more, can be customized with many different finishes and enamel color!) Contact T&T Uniforms for bulk order discounts on any Blackinton® product. ● T&T Uniforms properly salutes all those who have faithfully and selflessly served in the United States Military.