United States of America, National Defence Service Medal
The National Defence Service Medal (NDSM) is a service award of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. It is awarded to every member of the US Armed Forces who has served during any one of four specified periods of armed conflict or national emergency from 1950 to the present. To date, the NDSM has been awarded for four specific time periods, which roughly correspond to the Korean (1950-1954), Vietnam (1961-1974) and Gulf (1990-1995) wars as well as the Global War on Terrorism (2001 to date). The Medal shows a North American bald eagle perched on a sword and palm with the inscription NATIONAL DEFENSE above. The reverse shows a shield taken from the coat of arms of the United States within an open wreath of oak and laurel leaves. The ribbon has a wide yellow stripe in the centre, flanked by narrow stripes of red, white, blue, and wide red stripes. The medals are as issued, mounted on a card with the dress ribbon bar also attached. The Bronze Stars sold out very quickly in the last issue so get in quick to secure this one.