{"id":19939,"date":"2026-10-06T16:20:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T20:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.militaryframes.com\/blog\/?p=19939"},"modified":"2026-10-12T15:58:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T19:58:55","slug":"meritorious-service-medal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.militaryframes.com\/blog\/meritorious-service-medal\/","title":{"rendered":"Meritorious Service Medal: What It Means and How to Display It"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The Meritorious Service Medal, usually called the MSM, is a personal military decoration awarded for outstanding noncombat achievement or meritorious service to the United States. Established in 1969, it can be awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and ranks above the service Commendation and Achievement Medals.<\/span><\/p>

That’s the official version. Here’s the plain one: their service stood out enough to earn formal recognition from the military.<\/span><\/p>

If that person is you or someone you love, this guide covers what the MSM means, why it matters, what benefits come with it, and how to give the medal a home that does the story justice.<\/span><\/p>

Find Your Frame<\/a><\/div>\n

What Is the Meritorious Service Medal?<\/b><\/h2>

The Meritorious Service Medal was established by Executive Order 11448 on January 16, 1969. It recognizes outstanding meritorious achievement or service and may be awarded to service members across the U.S. Armed Forces.<\/span><\/p>

Military leaders wanted a way to recognize exceptional service that went beyond the level of a Commendation Medal without requiring the broader level of responsibility associated with the Legion of Merit.<\/span><\/p>

The MSM fills that space.<\/span><\/p>

It isn’t a participation award, and it isn’t automatically given after a certain number of years in uniform. The achievement or service has to be worthy of formal recognition.<\/span><\/p>

For the service member, one medal can represent months or years of leadership, long hours, difficult decisions, and problems solved that most people outside the unit never saw.<\/span><\/p>

The MSM at a Glance<\/b><\/h3>
Established<\/b><\/td>1969, by Executive Order 11448<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Recognizes<\/b><\/td>Outstanding noncombat achievement or meritorious service<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Who can earn it<\/b><\/td>Members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces<\/span><\/td><\/tr>
Where it ranks<\/b><\/td>Above the Commendation and Achievement Medals; directly below the Defense Meritorious Service Medal<\/td><\/tr>
Earned more than once?<\/b><\/td>Shown by oak leaf clusters (Army, Air Force, Space Force) or gold and silver stars (Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) on the ribbon<\/span><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Who Earns the MSM in the Military?<\/strong><\/h2>

The MSM may be awarded to members who distinguish themselves through outstanding achievement or meritorious service. It isn’t limited to one military occupational specialty, rank, or type of assignment.<\/span><\/p>

An MSM may recognize:<\/span><\/p>