Distinguished Service Medal (Australia)
| Distinguished Service Medal | |
|---|---|
  Obverse of medal and ribbon
| |
| Type | Medal |
| Awarded for | Distinguished leadership in warlike operations. |
| Presented by | Australia |
| Eligibility | Members of the Australian Defence Force |
| Post-nominals | DSM |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 15 January 1991 |
| First awarded | 1993 |
| Last awarded | 2023 King's Birthday Honours |
| Total | 220 |
| Total awarded posthumously | 1 |
| Total recipients | 208 |
| Order of Wear | |
| Next (higher) | Bravery Medal |
| Next (lower) | Public Service Medal |
| Related |
Distinguished Service Cross Commendation for Distinguished Service |
The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in warlike operations. The DSM was introduced in 1991 and is the second highest distinguished service decoration in the Australian Honours System. Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DSM". Since its inception 152 awards have been made—which includes six Bars—with the most recent being announced in the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours.
Government allowance
The Government of Australia may grant an allowance to veterans or serving members of the Australian Defence Force who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, or other awards for gallantry. At November 2007, this allowance was A$2.10 per fortnight.
Description
- The Distinguished Service Medal is ensigned with the Crown of St Edward in nickel-silver. The obverse has a Federation star superimposed on a circle of flames.
- The medal has a nickel-silver suspender bar.
- The medal ribbon has alternating vertical stripes: four silver-blue and three ochre-red.