Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal

The Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, also known as the Texas Distinguished Service Medal, is the fifth highest military decoration that can be conferred to a service member of the Texas Military Forces.[1] Subsequent decorations are conferred by a white enameled five-pointed star trimmed in gold device.[2]

Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal
TypeMilitary decoration
Awarded forExceptional service or achievement
DescriptionThe neck ribbon is red with a white star. The medal consists of a gold star below a blue bar with he word "Texas" in gold. In the center of the star, between olive and live oak branches is a blue circle with the word "Service" in gold.
Presented byTexas Military Department
EligibilityTexas Military Forces
StatusCurrently issued
EstablishedMay 8, 1967
Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal medal ribbon
Precedence
Next (higher)Texas Superior Service Medal
Next (lower)Texas Outstanding Service Medal

Eligibility

The Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal is conferred to any service member of the Texas Military Forces who, while serving in any capacity with the Texas Military Forces, shall have distinguished themselves by exceptionally outstanding achievement or service to the State of Texas in the performance of duties of great responsibility. The Adjutant General has final approval authority.[2]

Authority

The Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal was authorized by the Sixtieth Texas Legislature in House Bill Number 674 and approved by the Governor John Connally on 8 May 1967, effective the same date.[2]

Description

Medal

The medal pendant is a brushed gold five-pointed star with one point up, 1-1/2 of an inch in circumscribing diameter. In the raised center of the star is the inscription "SERVICE" on a royal blue field, encircled by a live oak branch with acorns on the wearer's right and an olive branch with olives on the wearer's left. The star is suspended by one link from a brushed gold bar, 1-3/8 of an inch long and 9/32 of an inch high, bearing the inscription "TEXAS" in raised brushed gold letters on a field of royal blue. The reverse of the medal pendant and bar is blank. The pendant is suspended by a metal loop attached to a burnt red moiré silk neckband 1-3/8 of an inch wide and 24 inches long, behind a hexagonal pad in the center made of matching ribbon. A white enameled five pointed star, trimmed in gold and 3/8 of an inch in circumscribing diameter, is centered on the hexagonal pad, one point up.[2]

Device

Device

A white enameled five-pointed star, trimmed in gold, 3/8th of an inch in circumscribing diameter, is conferred for second and successive decorations. Stars will be worn centered on the ribbon, with one point up, in conjunction with the star that is part of the original decoration. A maximum of four stars, to include the star that is part of the original decoration, will be worn.[2]

Recipients
Date conferred Service Member Abbreviated Citation Ref
Colonel Harold Brent [3]
September 12, 1996 Command Sergeant Major Richard Nations For 20 years of exceptional service in the Texas Military Forces
September 28, 2002 Colonel Mervyn J. Doherty Established Texas State Guard Officer Candidate School
Major General Raymond C. Peters
September 3, 2015 Colonel Brian Hammerness [4]
June 26, 2018 Colonel Ben Setliff For 30 years of exceptional service. [5]
September 8, 2018 Colonel Steve Metze For 29 years of combined exceptional service in the Texas Military Forces and United States Armed Forces [6]
Command Sergeant Major Maggie McCormick [7]
Master Sergeant Theresa M. Billeck-Zuniga [8]
Lieutenant General Gerald R. Betty [9]
July 28, 2019 Colonel John Wieden For 24 years of exceptional service. [10]

See also

References
  1. "State Awards". TMD.
  2. "Joint Force Texas Regulation (1-07)" (PDF). Texas Military Department. August 1, 2009.
  3. "Texas A&M Class of '62 Military Service Records" (PDF). Texas A&M Association of Former Students.
  4. McBride, Michelle (September 3, 2015). "Texas Army National Guard G6 Deputy Chief of Staff Retires". Texas Military Department.
  5. "TXSG Interim Commander, Maj. Gen. Robert Bodisch presented Col. Ben Setliff with the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal on the occasion of his retirement after 30 years, while at Headquarter's drill held at Camp Mabry, Austin Texas, June 23rd, 2018". Twitter, Texas State Guard.
  6. "Colonel Steve Metze, retired today after 29 years of service to TX & U.S.A." Twitter, Brigadier General Greg Chaney.
  7. "Elgin resident to be inducted into TXMF Hall of Honor". Texas Military Department. June 24, 2015.
  8. "Austin native to be inducted into TXMF Hall of Honor". Texas Military Department.
  9. "Bvt. Lt. Gen. Gerald R. Betty Retires as Texas State Guard Commander". Texas Military Department.
  10. "TXSG Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Robert Bodisch, presented the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal to Col. John Wieden for giving over 24 years of dedicated service from Aug. 24, 1994 through July 31, 2019. Wieden was also presented his Honorable Discharge Certificate". Twitter, Texas State Guard.
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