National Security Medal

The National Security Medal was a decoration of the United States of America officially established by President Harry S. Truman in Executive Order 10431 of January 19, 1953. The medal was awarded to any person, without regard to nationality, for distinguished achievement or outstanding contribution on or after July 26, 1947, in the field of intelligence relating to the national security of the United States.

The National Security Medal is authorized to both civilians and personnel of the United States military and is an authorized decoration for display on active duty uniforms of the United States armed forces. In such cases, the National Security Medal is worn after all U.S. military personal decorations and unit awards and before any military campaign/service awards and foreign decorations.

Additional decorations of the National Security Medal are denoted by a bronze oak leaf cluster.

Upon establishment of the National Intelligence Awards Program by the United States Intelligence Community, this highest award has been replaced with the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal.

Notable recipients

 * Major General William Joseph Donovan
 * Allen Dulles
 * William F. Friedman
 * Robert Gates
 * Richard Helms
 * J. Edgar Hoover
 * Lawrence R. Houston
 * Clarence Leonard Johnson
 * Edward Lansdale
 * John McCone
 * Frank Rowlett
 * Adm. William O. Studeman, USN
 * Adm. John Scott Redd
 * Walter Bedell Smith
 * Michael Hayden,
 * William H. Webster