The Joint Service Achievement Medal is a decoration presented by the United States Secretary of Defense to officers below the grade of O-6 and enlisted members below the grade of E-7 who, while serving in a joint military command or activity, have performed either an exceptional achievement or commendable service that has not been recognized by a Commendation Medal. Subsequent awards are denoted by Oak Leaf Clusters worn on the service medal.
The Joint Service Achievement medal is bronze. It is designed to resemble a star of twelve points. An eagle holding three arrows is superimposed in the center. The shape of the medal was designed to make it distinctive from all other decorations, and the eagle was taken from the Seal of the Department of Defense. The eagle holding three arrows suggests the nation’s readiness to defend in the air, on land or at sea. The raised points denote vigilance in all directions. The reverse of the medal is encircled with the engraving: ‘JOINT SERVICE’ above and ‘ACHIEVEMENT AWARD’ below. There is space in the centre of medal to engrave the name of the recipient.
Ribbon: Centre stripe of red flanked on either side by stripes of pale blue, white, green, white and blue.
Ref: No. 33, Plate 2, Sheet 3, US Military Medals 1939 to Present, Foster & Bort.
