History

The Distinguished Service Medal was established by the Defense Forces in 1964. It is awarded to Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Privates in the Defence Forces, as well as to members of the Army Nursing and Chaplaincy Services, for leadership, devotion, and acts of bravery that do not warrant the Military Medal for Gallantry. A bar clasp may be awarded in recognition of additional citations.

Prior to 1984, the different grades were referred to as the I Class Medal, the II Class Medal, and the III Class Medal, but since 1984, they have been referred to as the Medal with Honour, the Medal with Distinction, and the Medal with Merit, respectively.

The Medal with Merit features a reverse inscription that translates to "The Distinguished Service Medal.”