Department of Transportation Distinguished Service Medal
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The Department of Transportation Distinguished Service Medal is the highest decoration which may be bestowed by the United States Secretary of Transportation for exceptional service to the United States government in a position of great responsibility within the U.S. Department of Transportation. Prior to 2002, the Department of Transportation Distinguished Service Medal was also considered a military decoration and was the highest non-combat military award of the United States Coast Guard. The decoration was unique amongst the military services, in that it is a peacetime service department decoration ranking higher than the standard Distinguished Service Medal.
The Department of Transportation Distinguished Service Medal was established by Executive Order 12824 signed by President George Bush on December 7, 1992. The decoration may be awarded to any member of the Coast Guard who has provided exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility while assigned in the Department of Transportation, or in other activities under the responsibility of the Secretary of Transportation, either national or international, as may be assigned by the Secretary. The award is worn only by Coast Guard officers and is considered the Coast Guard equivalent of the Navy Cross (although, unlike the Navy Cross, the decoration may be awarded both in peace and war).
As of 2003, with the Coast Guard coming under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Transportation Distinguished Service Medal is no longer issued to Coast Guard personnel although it is still listed on military precedence charts and is authorized for continued wear by members of the Coast Guard. The decoration is presently considered a civilian award of Department of Transportation.