Medal

A gold disc 1 1/2 inches (3.81 cm) in diameter with a laurel wreath around the circumference of the disc enclosing the Great Seal of the United States. The reverse of the medal is inscribed ''FOR DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY DISTINGUISHED CIVILIAN SERVICE--TO.''

Ribbon

The medal is suspended from a ribbon 13/8 inches in width consisting of the following stripes: 17/32''Ultramarine Blue, 1/32'' White skip stripe, 7/64'' Ultramarine Blue,1/32'' White skip stripe, 7/64'' Ultramarine Blue, 1/32'' Whiteskip stripe, 17/32'' Ultramarine Blue.

The medal was approved as the Exceptional Civilian Service Award by the War Department on 29 December 1945. In November 2014, the Secretary of the Army  approved a modification to the Department of the Army Civilian Service Medals in order to make their nomenclature more consistent with their military equivalents. At that time the award was renamed the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal and the inscription on the reverse was changed accordingly. This award consists of a regular size medal, miniature size medal, service ribbon,lapel button and certificate.