United States Public Health Service Medals

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United States Public Health Service

The roots of the U.S. Public Health Service are closely tied to those of the maritime services of the United States. On 16 July 1798, Congress passed an Act directing the establishment of an organization to provide ?temporary relief and maintenance of sick or disabled seamen?. Thus was born the Marine Hospital Fund.

By 1869 complaints about care in the Marine Hospitals were flooding the Treasury Department, as were allegations of graft, corruption and misuse of funds. After a cross country inspection of the Marine Hospitals, the position of Supervising Surgeon General was established in 1871, of which Dr. John Woodward was appointed to the position.

Dr. Woodworth?s service during the Civil War transformed the Marine Hospital Fund into the Marine Hospital Service. Under his guidance uniforms were designed for the cadre of physicians he had assembled. As well, Dr. Woodworth placed the doctors under the central control of the Surgeon General, not the individual Marine Hospitals.

On 4 January 1889, President Grover Cleveland signed into law an Act which established the Commissioned Corps of the Marine Hospital Service.

In 1912 the U.S. Public Health and Marine Hospital Service became the United States Public Health Service (PHS). Positioning itself as a major force in combating disease in America, the PHS undertook a five-fold mission; health care, biomedical research, disease control, health protection and health education.

Just prior to World War 2, the PHS began to emphasize military preparedness. One of the chief problems facing the nation was the acute shortage of nurses. The war years had an enormous impact on the PHS and established the profession of nursing as a strong and permanent part of the PHS. The promotion of Lucile Petry Leone to the rank of Assistant Surgeon General (equivalent of Rear Admiral) in 1949 made her the first woman in the uniformed services of the United States to achieve flag rank.

As a result of their dedication and professionalism, Public Health Service physicians and scientists have contributed immeasurably to medical victories over polio, venereal disease, tuberculosis, malaria, influenza, and even the bubonic plague. Today the PHS is at the forefront of AIDS research and AIDS education. In addition, officers of the Commissioned Corps have served in every major conflict from World War I through Desert Storm.

In addition, PHS officers continue to serve as medical officers in the Coast Guard.

Despite it?s long history, it was not until 1958 with the creation of the Distinguished Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Commendation Medal, that the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service undertook to establish an Awards Program to recognize the service and achievements of it?s Commissioned Officers. On 8 September 1976, the Assistant Secretary for Health expanded the Commissioned Officers Awards Program by authorizing the establishment of eight additional medals and ribbons. The program has continued to expand throughout the years and now consists of eighteen individual awards and two unit awards.

Edited October 16, 2006 by Darrell

[Guest Darrell]

1. U.S. Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

The Distinguished Service Award is the highest Public Health Service Commissioned Corps award. It was established in 1958. Criteria includes outstanding contributions to the mission of the Public Health Service. Such achievement may range from the management of a major health program, to an initiative resulting in a major impact on the health of the Nation. Can also be conferred for a one-time heroic act resulting in great savings to life, health or property.

The reverse of early examples of all USPHS awards were inscribed in two curved lines ?Department of Health / Education and Welfare?. Decorations produced after 1980 have blank reverses.

The Pendant of the DSM is finished in Gold.

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Edited October 16, 2006 by Darrell

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2. U.S. Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)

Established in 1958, the Meritorious Service Medal is presented in recognition of meritorious service of a single, particularly important achievement, a career notable for accomplishments in technical or professional fields or unusually high-quality and initiative in leadership. The level of accomplishment meriting this award may include: a highly significant achievement in research program direction or program administration; a series of significant contributions; a continuing period of meritorious service; or exhibition of great courage in hazardous work in an emergency.

Like the Distinguished Service Medal the reverse of early awards were inscribed in two curved lines ?Department of Health / Education and Welfare?. Decorations produced after 1980 have blank reverses.

The Pendant of the MSM is finished in Silver.

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3. U.S. Public Health Service Outstanding Service Medal (OSM)

The Outstanding Service Medal is presented in recognition of continuous outstanding leadership in carrying out the mission of the Public Health Service, or performance of a single accomplishment which had a major effect on the health of the Nation, or performance of an heroic act resulting in the preservation of health or property.

The Pendant of the OSM is finished in Rhodium.

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4. U.S. Public Health Service Commendation Medal

Established in 1958, the Commendation Medal is presented for a level of proficiency and dedication distinctly greater than that expected of the average officer. The Commendation Medal recognizes: sustained high-quality work achievement in scientific, administrative or other professional fields; application of unique skill or creative imagination to the approach or solution of problems; or noteworthy technical and professional contributions that are significant to a limited area.

The Pendant of the Commendation Medal is Bronze.

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5. U.S. Public Health Service Achievement Medal

The Achievement Medal is presented for excellence in accomplishing a program's mission. This could be in recognition of the advancement of program objectives, or sustained above-average dedication to duty over a relatively short period of time.

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6. U.S. Public Health Service Citation

This award began as a ribbon bar. On 01 July 1989, a medal pendant was added. The Public Health Service Citation is presented in recognition of a specific and noteworthy achievement generally for a short period of time. This could include contribution toward accomplishing a program objective or high-quality achievement, but at a somewhat lesser level than is required for the Achievement Medal.

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7. U.S. Public Health Hazardous Duty Award (HDA)

This award was originally a ribbon bar. A medal pendant was created in the late 1980?s. The Hazardous Duty Service Award is given for 200 exposure hours over 180 consecutive days in a position requiring frequent risk to officer's safety. Assignments where the officer's professional knowledge should significantly reduce or abolish the risk do not qualify. Specific assignments include: - required contact with inmates/detainees at certain Bureau of Prisons' facilities, Forensic Hospital at St. Elizabeths, and Immigration and Naturalization sites; - 8 round trips or 16 duty site destinations on frequent unscheduled aircraft flights within a 6-month period (aircraft must seat 10 or fewer passengers); or - Industrial hygiene surveys of mine sites. For service of 30 consecutive or 90 nonconsecutive days in a foreign duty post (not in training status). Ships sailing in international waters with international port stops are eligible.

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8. U.S. Public Health Foreign Duty Award (FDA)

This award was originally a ribbon bar. The medal Pendant was approved in 1988. The Foreign Duty Service Medal is awarded for service of 30 consecutive or 90 nonconsecutive days in a foreign duty post (not in training status). Ships sailing in international waters with international port stops are eligible.

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9. U.S. Public Health Special Assignment Award (SAA)

The Special Assignment Service Award is given for service of 30 consecutive days on a detail, as set forth in CCPM Subchapter CC23.5, INST 5,6,7, or 8, to a special program initiative of other Federal or State agency. Does not include assignments that are a routine function of the position, or are specifically included in the billet, or involve assignments between components of Public Health Service/details to agencies with a blanket agreement with Public Health Service, or are for the purpose of training.

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10. U.S. Public Health Isolated Hardship Award

Originally awarded as a ribbon bar only, the Isolated Hardship Service Award is given for service of over 180 consecutive days at a site designated as isolated, remote, insular or constituting a hardship. - Ready Reserve officers are eligible if an aggregate of 180 days are served within a 3-year period. - State Department 'post differential' used for foreign sites. - Officers assigned to ships classified as 'Unusually Arduous Sea Duty,' e.g., absence from home port exceeds 180 days.

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11. U.S. Public Health National Emergency Preparedness Award (NEPA)

Instituted in 1988, the National Emergency Preparedness Award is given for two continuous years of service in an organized unit that is mandated to provide emergency medical/support services. The individual must also meet required activities, training and certification. Recognized units are: National Disaster Medical System Disaster Medical Assistance Team, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and Commissioned Corps Readiness Force.

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12. U.S. Public Health Crisis Response Service Award (CRSA)

Created in late 1992, the Crisis Response Service Award is for service in Public Health Service intervention activity in a crisis situation. Service must be direct/on-site participation of a non-routine nature (i.e., not part of officer's assigned duties). Assistance at sites geographically separate from the crisis location does not qualify. The Surgeon General declares the event/activity/site for this award.

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