Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to recognize distinguished and exceptionally meritorious service to the United States while serving in a duty or position of great responsibility. The interpretation of the phrase "great responsibility" means that this medal is generally awarded only to officers who hold at least the rank of major general.

In accordance with Department of the Air Force Instruction 36-2803, the Air Force authorizes the award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Civil Air Patrol personnel when engaged in official Air Force Auxiliary missions. Due to the high rank of typical recipients, very few Civil Air Patrol members would be eligible. There are no known cases of CAP members being awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for their CAP service and the probability of it being awarded is extremely low.