Awards and decorations of the Public Health Service


The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, one of the eight uniformed services of the United States, has the authority to issue various awards, commendations, and other insignia to its members. These include individual honor awards, unit honor awards, service awards, training ribbons, special skill badges, and identification badges. The following PHSCC awards are listed in the service's order of precedence:

Personal awards and decorations

Public Health Service Distinguished Service MedalPublic Health Service Meritorious Service MedalAssistant Secretary for Health's Exceptional Service MedalSurgeon General's MedallionSurgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal
– worn after the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and before the Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal– worn after the Purple Heart and before the Defense Meritorious Service Medal– awarded at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary for Health, worn after the Meritorious Service Medal and before the Surgeon General's Medallion– worn after the Assistant Secretary for Health's Exceptional Service Medal and before the Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal– worn after the Surgeon General's Medallion and before the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal
Public Health Service Outstanding Service MedalPublic Health Service Commendation MedalPublic Health Service Achievement MedalPublic Health Service Citation Medal
– worn after the Air Medal and before the NOAA Administrator's Award– worn after the Aerial Achievement Medal and before the Joint Service Commendation Medal– worn after the Department of Transportation Superior Achievement Medal and before the Achievement Medal of other uniformed services– worn after the NOAA Corps Achievement Medal and before the Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon

Association and organization awards

The following awards are awarded by various associations and organizations related the PHS mission and may be worn on the uniform when attending a function of that association:

Badges and insignia

Commissioned Corps officers may wear two authorized special skills badges and two breast or identification badges on the Corps uniform. Badges of the USPHS take precedence over badges earned in other uniformed services.