This medal is awarded by the President of the US to anyone in the Naval service who has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsability.
The medal is in gilded bronze, bearing the American eagle in the centre, surrounded by a blue-enamelled circle bearing the words: 'United Staes of America - Navy'.
The reverse depicts Neptune's trident within a laurel wreath surrounded by a blue circle with the text 'For Distinguished Service'. The whole is surmounted by a white-enamelled star with rays issuing from between the limbs and surcharged with a gold anchor.
The ribbon has three broad stripes of equal width, two blue stripes on the either edge and a yellow in the centre. It is symbolical for the blue and gold lace uniforms of the Navy.
The medal has been bestowed upon various British Naval officers.
 
					| Name | Date of birth | Date of death | Awards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|  | Schmidt, Harry | 25-09-1886 | 10-02-1968 |      | 
|  | Shepherd, Lemuel Cornick, Jr. | 10-02-1896 | 06-08-1990 |       more | 
|  | Sherman, Forrest Percival | 30-10-1896 | 22-07-1951 |    | 
|  | Sherman, Frederick Carl "Ted" | 27-05-1888 | 00-07-1957 |       more | 
|  | Shoup, David Monroe | 30-12-1904 | 13-01-1983 |       more | 
|  | Silverthorn, Merwin Hancock | 22-09-1896 | 14-08-1985 |       more | 
|  | Small, Ernest Gregor "Shorty" | 05-11-1888 | 27-12-1944 |       more | 
|  | Smith, Edward Hanson "Iceberg" | 29-10-1889 | 29-10-1961 |      | 
|  | Smith, Harold Page | 17-02-1904 | 04-01-1993 |       more | 
|  | Smith, Holland McTyeire "Howlin' Mad" | 20-04-1882 | 12-01-1967 |       more | 
|  | Smith, Julian Constable | 11-09-1885 | 05-11-1975 |       more | 
|  | Smith, Walter Bedell "Beetle" | 05-10-1895 | 09-08-1961 |       more | 
|  | Spruance, Raymond Ames | 03-07-1886 | 13-12-1969 |       more | 
|  | Stark, Harold Raynsford "Betty" | 12-11-1880 | 21-08-1972 |       more |