Awards and decorations of the Public Health Service

Awards and Decorations of the Public Health Service (PHS) are a series of recognitions, medals, and ribbons which are used by the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) to acknowledge the exemplary service and achievements of its members. The USPHS, one of the eight uniformed services of the United States, has a comprehensive system of awards and decorations to recognize both its commissioned officers and civilian employees.

Overview

The awards and decorations of the PHS are designed to recognize personal and unit achievements, meritorious service, and outstanding contributions to public health and the mission of the PHS. These awards are comparable to those of the United States military but are unique to the Public Health Service. They are awarded under the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Types of Awards

Awards and decorations of the PHS can be broadly categorized into personal decorations, unit awards, service awards, and special recognition awards.

Personal Decorations

Personal decorations are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service, bravery, or leadership. These include:

• Commissioned Corps Medal
• Outstanding Service Medal
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Commendation Medal
• Achievement Medal
• Crisis Response Service Award

Unit Awards

Unit awards are given to groups or units within the PHS for exemplary performance. These include:

• Outstanding Unit Citation
• Unit Commendation

Service Awards

Service awards recognize the duration of service or specific types of service within the PHS, such as:

• PHS Regular Corps Ribbon
• PHS Reserve Corps Ribbon
• Campaign Medals for specific public health campaigns

Special Recognition Awards

Special recognition awards are given for various forms of distinguished service or achievement not covered by the other categories. These include:

• Global Health Campaign Medal
• Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal

Wearing and Display

The proper wearing and display of awards and decorations are governed by PHS regulations, which specify the order of precedence for wearing multiple awards and the appropriate uniform occasions for their display.

Significance

The awards and decorations system of the PHS not only serves to recognize individual and unit achievements but also plays a crucial role in fostering morale and a sense of pride among members of the service. They highlight the diverse and critical roles that PHS officers play in protecting, promoting, and advancing the health and safety of the nation.

See Also

• United States Public Health Service
• Uniformed services of the United States
• Awards and decorations of the United States government

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